Director of Operations and Strategy

Director of Operations and Strategy LOCATION : New York, NY OEP is currently operating remotely due to COVID-19 POSITION TYPE : Permanent, Full Time APPLICATION DEADLINE : October 22, 2021 REPORTS TO : The CEO COMPENSATION : $120-$130K, commensurate with experience; comprehensive benefits package, and generous vacation policy. ABOUT THE OpEd PROJECT The OpEd Project is a social venture and leadership organization, founded to change who writes history. We are a community of journalists, thought leaders, and change agents who actively share knowledge, resources, and connections across color, creed, class, sexuality, gender, age, ability, and beyond. Through our nationally-recognized curriculum, our team of journalist mentors, and through a portfolio of programs in partnership with leading institutions across the nation and the globe, we accelerate the ideas and impact of underrepresented voices, including women of all backgrounds. We have been covered by most major media. We have stunning results. WE BELIEVE: The story we tell becomes the world we live in. The world becomes more intelligent when it is more inclusive. The best ideas, regardless of where they come from, should have a chance to be heard and to change the world. Over the past few years, we have experienced significant growth. As we grow, we are seeking to build our core leadership team, in anticipation of a bold new chapter. We will continue to expand our flagship Public Voices Fellowship initiative into a powerful new force to change the cultural narrative on a large scale, with permanent and undeniable impact. ABOUT THE ROLE At a critical moment in our growth, The OpEd Project is seeking a mission-driven, strategic, and systems-oriented senior manager and leader to help structure, build, and support our growing organization and underpin our success. Reporting to the CEO, the mission of the Director of Operations and Strategy at The OpEd Project is to ensure that we operate at peak performance across all departments and arenas at maximum impact and profit. This role’s primary responsibility will be to advance our effectiveness, scale, and sustainability by building, strengthening, and overseeing the policies, systems, and practices that empower The OpEd Project team members to do their best work. The ideal candidate will have a track record of exemplifying excellence and best practices while creating new systems and overseeing key operational responsibilities for administration, finance, and people operations. They/she/he will be detail-oriented, tactically astute, and adept at creative and structural thinking. This is an extraordinary opportunity for a powerful leader who is inspired by the hybrid business model of The OpEd Project and has experience laying the groundwork for growth at both nonprofit and for-profit organizations. Insofar as it underpins the organization, this role offers the potential to make an enormous historical impact and to change peoples’ lives. Specifically, the Director of Operations and Strategy is entrusted with leading and managing the team of directors and people operations, including the hiring, onboarding, and professional development of all staff. As a member of our Senior Leadership Team, the Director of Operations and Strategy ensures operational integrity in all programmatic endeavors; develops and oversees our financial systems and controls; creates, implements manages, and leverages the systems that drive performance and allow us to do our most effective work; and establishes seamless internal processes that maximize the value of that work. The Director of Operations and Strategy is also responsible for nurturing a just, equitable, diverse, and inclusive workplace in keeping with the organization’s mission and focus. RESPONSIBILITIES This is primarily an internal-facing role to develop and sustain the people, operations, work plans, and budgets that enable us to partner effectively with many organizations and serve a broad community through our programs. The Director of Operations and Strategy is the internal-facing partner to the CEO and the staff, responsible for team care, culture-building, systems, supporting organization-wide planning, tool/process use, and driving monthly goals. The Director of Operations and Strategy reports to the CEO and supervises the Manager of Finance and Operations and our outsourced accounting team. This role will set up a values-rooted set of systems and processes that support a team of 10-12 core staff members and 35+ contractors who are responsible for delivering public programs, private workshops, and year-long fellowship programs across the country and with participants from around the world, as well as sharing their impact with stakeholders and the wider public. In the near term, the Director of Operations and Strategy will focus on building and improving these systems and processes, particularly around finance, knowledge management/data integrity, people operations, and our ongoing work around justice, equity, diversity and inclusion (JEDI). In the longer term, the role will oversee day-to-day operations and ensure excellence across these areas. ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND PLANNING As a member of the senior team, and in partnership with the CEO and senior team, help define the organization’s strategic priorities and provide leadership and accountability for program delivery and expansion Translate organizational priorities into time-bound and clearly scoped projects with comprehensive plans to build our team, grow our business, and fulfill our mission Partner with directors to set ambitious goals for programs and ensure targets are met Collaborate with CEO and Directors to implement impact assessment tools that can be used to guide strategic and tactical decisions Lead the development and enhancement of key administrative systems, including people operations, professional development, financial management, and operations Define and lead the organization's commitment to Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in all aspects of the work OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT Provide operational integrity in all programmatic endeavors, ensuring that the infrastructure and resources are available to support our daily activities and strategic vision. This includes overseeing the management of our physical space, as well as the technology that allows us to collaborate virtually. Strengthen the organization’s standards of excellence and drive ongoing efficiency by creating and managing improved systems and processes, including the development of standard operating procedures, and ensure their integration across the organization Audit, improve and oversee systems for knowledge and data management across the organization Develop improved systems for tracking metrics and measuring impact, and processes for cross-departmental collaboration Lead the planning and implementation of a new CRM/ERP system Ensures our values are enacted equally in our programs and in how we operate as an organization FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT Oversee monthly payroll and ensure all accounts are settled accurately and timely. Work with the finance and senior team to ensure the efficiency of financial policies and procedures Strengthen and oversee internal financial reporting and review processes; monitoring financial and programmatic performance, and providing projections and analyses for the organization on a monthly basis (or quarterly) Understand and oversee financial systems and controls and ensure they are consistently implemented. Set the annual budget in partnership with the CEO and department heads Manage organizational budget and ensure direct reports overseeing their departmental budgets operate in a fiscally responsible and budget-aligned manner PEOPLE MANAGEMENT Cultivate and sustain a pipeline of mission-aligned talent to meet the capacity needs of a growing organization Recruit, hire, and onboard new staff and contractors to fill needed capacities Oversee the human resources/administrative aspects of people operations, including benefits administration, performance management, and employee policies Develop and retain staff by designing and implementing a standard approach to professional development, that supports the success of each team member Set tools and practices to build a performance culture for the organization: work with managers to conduct annual performance appraisals, develop and adjust job descriptions, and advise on salary adjustments. Design and lead implementation of a cohesive approach to Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Create a positive and collaborative work environment QUALIFICATIONS EXPERIENCE Proven track record of planning and directing an organization’s strategy, programs, and operations, with knowledge of proven processes and practices for rapidly growing organizations 5-7 years of senior management and executive experience, including experience with managing organizational budgets, planning, and high-level decision-making Experience creating, implementing, and overseeing complex initiatives, collaborating across multiple teams with multiple partners, and using effective technological solutions to achieve goals Strong track record of managing organizational and team performance, including building and motivating teams, setting clear performance objectives, managing staff, setting up organizational systems, and supporting the professional development and success of each team member Track record of success in the management of financial systems, including grant management Demonstrated experience developing a budget, managing financial oversight and responsibility, and leading a team through the budgeting process Prior non-profit and/or social enterprise experience Experience in, and deep commitment to the advancement of a culture of race equity in all people processes and business processes and to playing a leadership role in creating a positive, diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment Familiarity with OpEd Project programs and curriculum, ideally having participated in one of the organization’s core programs An undergraduate degree required with an advanced degree in nonprofit or business management or related a plus SKILLS AND OUTLOOK Exemplary leadership and management skills with a proven track record of systems thinking and staff development capacity Highly analytical thinker and proactive problem-solver, willing and able to operate at both strategic and tactical levels as required, and to develop these qualities in your direct reports A self-starter with an entrepreneurial spirit, tech-savvy, and a passion for organizational growth and progress Excellent time management and prioritization skills Demonstrated ability to work effectively and foster teamwork across departments to accomplish strategic initiatives and improve organizational performance Talented relationship manager with the ability to build trust quickly and navigate sensitive and politicized spaces, relationships, and decision-making Skilled at coaching, developing and managing talent Personal-growth mindset, placing value in both receiving and offering constructive feedback Thrives on making an impact and is knowledgeable and passionate about social justice issues, especially around voice Integrity, compassion, and principled leadership, with a warm, authentic and deeply collaborative approach TO APPLY If you are execution-minded, entrepreneurial, organized, warm, and personable, and if you have a hankering to be a change-maker in the world, then we invite you to submit a resume and a short letter telling us why our work resonates with you and why you think you would rock this job. You can submit your application at this link. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage you to apply as soon as you can. Only candidates who have been selected for an interview will be contacted. People of color, people with disabilities, veterans, and LGBTQ candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. The OpEd Project is committed to a diverse workplace, and to supporting our staff with ongoing career development opportunities. The OpEd Project is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its employment decisions, in accordance with state and federal law.