Who We Are / What We Do

Founded in 1975, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund empowers Latino families with the knowledge and resources to successfully complete a higher education, while providing scholarships and support services to as many exceptional Hispanic American students as possible. HSF strives to make college education a top priority for every Latino family across the nation, mobilizing our community to proactively advance that goal – each individual, over a lifetime, in every way he/she can. HSF seeks to give its Scholars all the tools they need to do well in their course work, graduate, enter a profession, excel, help lead our nation going forward, and mentor the generations to come. As the nation’s largest not-for-profit organization supporting Hispanic American higher education, the Fund has awarded over $470 million in scholarships and provides a range of ancillary programs for students, HSF Scholars, Alumni, and parents. For more information about the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, please visit: HSF.net.

Job Description

Reporting to the VP of Scholarships and Academic Support, the Operations Director is responsible for leading and overseeing the programmatic and administrative functions of The Gates Scholarship including strategic planning, financial management, scholar support, selection, and technological platforms. The Operations Director oversees the operations of the scholarship and implements the general policies and activities authorized by the Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF,) in partnership with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, while ensuring that The Gates Scholarship policies and activities are effectively administered and controlled.

Job Requirements

Key Responsibilities

Develop and lead operations and strategic planning for The Gates Scholarship program

Create and recommend the formulation and implementation of the scholarship’s policies

Implement and execute grant commitments

Ensure compliance, disbursement, management, and stewardship

Develop and oversee all program budgets

Develop and implement a Scholar support model that promotes leadership, graduation, and career opportunities

Provide leadership within HSF for the development and implementation of marketing strategies

Provide leadership within HSF for the development of Scholar engagement strategies that produce 100% graduation rates

General

Oversee operations of The Gates Scholarship and implement general policies and activities

Direct staff development and training, including cross-training of policies and procedures

Develop staff members by improving their understanding of all HSF scholarship programs and related rules and regulations

Market and promote HSF and The Gates Scholarship program’s assessment tools, metrics, and services to students, scholars, Alumni, and potential partners

Plan, develop, and administer annual budget for approval to ensure compliance with budgetary guidelines

Provide leadership and supervision to approximately 10 full-time Gates Scholarship team members and Managers

Support the enhancement and streamlining of the scholarship application processes

Collaborative

Work with senior staff to develop a strategy to launch and evaluate programs

Collaborate with university advocates and other HSF staff to establish and build relationships with universities, schools, school districts, community organizations, elected officials, and other interested parties

Additional

A demonstrated commitment to serving the community with professionalism, courtesy, friendliness, consideration, and confidentiality

Perform additional duties and responsibilities, including supporting HSF scholarship programs, as requiredtions

Basic

Bi-lingual preferred

Master’s degree from an accredited university

Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in higher education, enrollment management, student services, or non-profit setting

Must be committed to the mission and vision of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund

Track Record

General understanding of higher education student support services

Strong financial and budget management knowledge, staff development, and supervisory experience

Proven ability to synthesize issues and ideas and present them to constituent groups

Innovative thinker with proven capability of transforming strategic thinking into action plans and results

Knowledge of higher education organizations and organizations that support youth and college readiness (schools, universities, non-profits, etc.), preferred

Demonstrated project management skills

Proven track record for establishing and nurturing strong community partnerships

Proven track record of developing and executing student support strategies

Experience working with youth, parents, community partners, and volunteers

Experience working with diverse communities

Specific Professional Skills

Excellent judgment and creative problem solving skills, including negotiation and conflict-resolution skills

Experience working effectively in a complex, multifaceted environment

Strong networking and relationship management skills

Exceptional writing, editing, and oral communication skills

Ability to develop, interpret, and apply statistical data in daily decision making

Excellent computer systems skills, including web research fluency and the ability to learn and manage various information system technologies, proficiency in MS Office applications and social networking platforms

Personal Attributes

The knowledge, intellect, temperament and flexibility to work effectively in an intense, fast-paced, and high-performance environment

Strategic and creative visionary, with the drive and organizational skills necessary to ensure that strategies are implemented, objectives achieved, and success measured

Ability to manage diverse relationships and interact with all types of people, at all levels of an organization

Principled, ethical, professional, and committed to exceptional work quality and standards

A high level of personal and professional confidence and sophistication

Upbeat, positive, and enthusiastic

A high level of energy and initiative

Team player

Additional Requirements

Must be flexible and available for approximately up to 25% travel, and to attend meetings, presentations, and events outside the office

Flexible to work weekends and/or extended work days, as required

Additional Criteria

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. This position requires:

Constant sitting or standing,

Some walking around, and

Occasionally lifting no more than 10 lbs.

To Apply: Email resume, references, and cover letter to employment@hsf.net