Position: Senior Director of Operations
Reports to the CEO
About Thread
Thread understands that students growing up in concentrated poverty need more than just improved financial resources or better classrooms; they need the same unassailable support and deep interpersonal bonds that we all need. Thread believes that, by cultivating relationships that transcend racial and socioeconomic barriers – and by creatively building an unconventional family and community not defined by DNA and address – we can overcome the poverty of isolation and, in its place, establish a wealth of human connection permanently linked by unconditional love and support. Thread builds these bonds for students, volunteers, and collaborators.
During Thread’s first 11 years, we have supported over 200 underperforming Baltimore City students as they have worked to navigate the challenges in their lives and become responsible, resilient, and self-sufficient adults. Thread has refined its model, developed community partnerships, and increased capacity to develop a truly unique programmatic structure that leads to extraordinary outcomes for our students. To date, Thread has retained 100% of the 207 students it has engaged, and 100% of the 47 students who have been in Thread for five years have received high school degrees.
Thread’s approach, from the students it engages to the depth, breadth, and duration of the support it provides, is unmatched. Our students face vast obstacles to their high school and post-secondary success, from missing fundamental academic skills to lacking stable housing. Despite the challenges they face, Thread students are able to achieve outstanding feats: 60% of the 15 students who have been in Thread for 10 years have received a four-year college degree. An additional 20% have received a two-year degree or certificate.
Thread achieves these remarkable results by supporting students for a period of 10 years and surrounding each student with a group of volunteers, a Thread Family. Thread Family Members provide students with continuous support: frequent and positive personal contact, tutoring and mentoring services, increased access to community resources, and constant encouragement. Thread never gives up. During their time in Thread, students experience consistent and caring relationships. As they mature and graduate from post-secondary schools and programs, they enter the workforce with the necessary connections to caring adults and resources needed to thrive.
Thread at Its Best
We are hard-working, collaborative, and passionate about Baltimore’s youth. We go all in with care, compassion, and empathy. We know that the long hours are worth the short victories. We believe small acts make a big difference.
We are small but mighty. We are about meeting people where they’re at. We have expectations of success from all in our community. Sometimes, it takes faith and tenacity; often, it takes grit and strategy. Whatever the case, we do whatever it takes.
We are resilient. We are about building communities of responsibility. The work is hard but magical and we keep our heads low and spirits high, as we go about it. The outcomes we obtain are exemplary. However, on the road to excellence is peppered with failure. We make mistakes often and fail frequently, but we learn from our mistakes and continue to tenaciously try and try again.
We are in the business of laying stones, building bridges, and creating relationships that enable us and Baltimore to reach our true potential.
We are weaving the new social fabric of Baltimore!
Job Summary
The Senior Director of Operations has primary responsibility for ensuring the smooth and efficient delivery of operating support to the organization, through his/her planning, oversight and management of administrative functions, including Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology and Risk Management. The Senior Director of Operations works in partnership with the CEO, the Managing Director of Programs and the Executive Team to understand the support needs of all areas of Thread.
Key Responsibilities
Plan all elements of administrative support and program- and mission- supporting functions, including HR, IT, Accounting/Finance and Operations
Communicate and coordinate constantly with Thread leadership to understand and manage support requirements
Develop and implement a yearly operational plan based on the strategic plan, with input from the CEO and Executive team and the Board of Directors that addresses yearly budget, staffing, communications and the operational optimization of programs
Prepare budgets, including planned revenues and expenditures with input from staff, to manage the resources of Thread. Work with the volunteer Finance Officer throughout year to measure the use of resources vs. plan
Work with the Senior Director of Community Engagement and Stewardship (SDCES) and the CEO to create and execute an annual revenue plan as a part of the overall operational plan that is aligned with the strategic plan and budget
In conjunction with the CEO, support growth management and strategic planning efforts
Provide guidance to the CEO, Executive Team and Board of Directors to help them fulfill their responsibilities in formulating policy, financial oversight, risk management and assessing Thread’s performance
Manage and oversee all elements of administrative support-, program- and mission supporting functions, including HR, IT and Accounting/Finance and Operations
Manage non-program staff including Accounting and Operations Associate and the volunteer Finance Officer and ensure coordination of support with the Program Team
Manage outsourced services, to possibly include Human Resources and Information Technology and evaluate insource/outsource decision on an ongoing basis
Identify opportunities to leverage outside vendors in administrative roles, both to minimize resource expenditure and harness expertise
Develop tools for regular evaluation of in/outsource decisions
Develop internal capabilities if/when decision to insource operating function(s) is made
Identify areas where volunteers can be leveraged to manage human resource expense
Human Resources
Recruitment
Partner with senior managers to develop hiring goals and objectives
Oversee and participate in the recruiting process for all staffing, including postings, resume reviews, interview scheduling and feedback management, background and reference checks, offer development
Oversee and ensure ongoing development of relationships with high-potential candidate sourcing partner organizations
Ensure all team members participating in the recruiting process are well educated and prepared
Develop and manage an onboarding process to ensure preparedness of new employees
Staff Development
With input from CEO and Executive Team, create talent development strategy
Develop and implement performance management process (including periodic reviews, coaching and monitoring) that aligns organization-wide and individual metrics; manage staff in executing process
Partners with staff to develop individualized performance plans where needed
Research and develop programs and tools to address talent development priorities of the organization
Ensure appropriate staff development and training opportunities to staff to ensure a high level of technical and management skills
Conduct or organize training, including new employee training, benefits education programs, confidentiality training, and other training as necessary
Compensation and Benefits
Design and implement compensation program
Benchmark compensation and benefits on an annual basis to ensure that Thread’s offering is competitive and attractive
Ensure that payroll is set up correctly, process semi-monthly payroll and coordinate with Accounting and Operations Associate to ensure correct entry into financial reporting system
Administer all company benefits, including recommendation of vendors and annual evaluation, employee education and enrollment, resolution of issues and confirmation of invoices from vendors
HR Management
Serves as the HR expert within Thread; maintains knowledge of trends and requirements of HR management
Provide leadership, direction and mentoring for staff members
Manage and continually evaluate relationships with all HR vendors, including payroll, benefits, training, etc.
Maintains and updates Thread’s Human Resources policies and procedures (including the Employee Handbook)
Maintain and update position descriptions
Maintain employee files before, during, and after employment;
Manage intern program
Ensure compliance with all state and federal employment regulations
Technology
Manage internal and/or outsourced Information Technology Manager
Understand technology needs of organization and approves efficient solutions
Evaluate effectiveness of technology on an ongoing basis
Partner with CEO, Managing Director of Programs, and/or outsourced Information Technology Manager to design and implement operational systems
Operations
Manage review and approval or approval authority via policies and procedures, throughout organization in collaboration with the volunteer Risk Management Officer
Expenditures
Review all current and potential vendor relationships and signs all contracts
Policies
Communications
Board materials
Ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements, internal policies, vendor, partner, and donor agreements
Finance
Develop and manage organizational performance management processes and goals in partnership with Program Team; reports on organizational performance to CEO and Board
Establish performance goals based on the operational plan and track/report progress against goals
Work with staff to create internal and external performance dashboards
Prepare reports on the state of finances, including annual budget in collaboration with the CEO, the Board Treasurer, the volunteer Finance Officer and the Finance Committee, SDCES
Supervise the preparation of monthly financial statements
Ensure that the required financial reporting to grantors is provided
Oversee preparation of annual audit by auditor with the volunteer Finance Officer
Qualifications/Skills:
Demonstrated understanding of, and commitment to, Thread’s students and volunteers
5-7 years professional experience in management of operations and administration, preferably in nonprofits
Demonstrated ability to work well in a top executive position
Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders
Entrepreneurial spirit with ability to employ sound judgment
Strong leadership skills; ability to manage and develop internal staff
Ability to think and plan strategically and tactically in order to move organization forward in meeting strategic goals
Ability and creativity to lead change to support organizational growth
Demonstrated ability to develop and manage organization and department budgets
Ability to manage projects, organize complex tasks and prioritize multiple assignments
Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion
Strong financial management skills
Ability to manage vendors of outsourced services
Strong verbal and written communications skills
Compensation
Competitive salary and benefits offered
How to apply
To apply:
Please send cover letter and resume to careers@thread.org with position title as subject field.
Deadline: June 5th, 2015 at 5:00pm
Fax and mail submissions will not be accepted. No phone calls, please.