Director of Operations

The First Unitarian Church of Providence is a vibrant, growing Unitarian Universalist congregation, located in the richly diverse state capital of Providence, Rhode Island.

We are approaching 500 adult members, with almost 100 children and youth enrolled in Sunday School and a current average attendance of 385 on Sunday. Last year's church budget was $970k and the current year’s is $1,072k.

First Unitarian is in the third year of a 5-year strategic plan, which was created after a series of engagement sessions with over 200 members of our congregation. While the plan is a living document, it provides a primary foundation for all church goals, policies, and directions. All members of the staff and governing board are involved in fully integrating the plan into our day-to-day work and mission.

First Unitarian is seeking to hire a dynamic individual to serve as our Director of Operations. As we continue to grow, we are energized about all of the possibilities for the future. The Director of Operations is the lead support person to all the church functions and the Senior Minister and governing board in facilitating all activities, services and offerings. This person manages the detailed day-to-day church life and also looks strategically at the big picture, with an eye to our future growth. Advancing our marketing, communications and information technology capabilities complement our rich ministerial and social justice programming and are integral to our advancing operational plans.

This is an executive, full-time, FSLA exempt position, with a salary range of $78,000 - $84,000 annually.

Job Summary: The Director of Operations works closely with the Senior Minister and Prudential Committee (governing board) and manages the administrative, physical plant, operational, and financial matters of the church. The Director oversees and adjusts processes and operations as necessary to ensure efficient and effective implementation of policies and procedures. The Director advises leadership on a wide range of financial matters at both the strategic and operational levels, including operational budget and all churchwide fundraising. The Director is an ex-officio member of the Executive team. The Director supervises building-related issues & staff, other administrative staff including Communications, and is accountable for overall human resources administration.

Essential functions:

• Supervise building and administrative paid staff and volunteer front desk staff.
• Administer relationships with vendors and contractors, including current capital projects.
• Work with church leaders to facilitate activities within the Prudential Committee calendar (scheduling in accordance with by-laws: annual meetings, budget meetings, etc.)
• Oversee facility upkeep and maintenance, including all equipment purchasing and advising Buildings & Grounds committee.
• Supervise the maintenance of the church schedule and master calendar.
• Coordinate all building use.
• Oversee office policies and procedures.
• Oversee communications and networks among church groups, coordinate church publications and oversee website presence, and present the first-line response to visitors and inquiries.
• Coordinate with staff and lay leaders to review and facilitate financial processes and oversee budget preparation.
• Maintain bank accounts and signatories and manage payroll procedures.
• Serve as staff liaison to Finance Committees and Commitment Drive.
• Manage the Senior Minister’s schedule.

Qualifications:

• A college degree, concentration in administration or business is helpful.
• 10 years of pertinent experience, with a strong preference for non-profit or church management.
• Proficiency in office management systems (Microsoft Office Product Suite.)
• HR related experience preferred.
• Managerial experience.
• Experience working with many diverse volunteer groups.
• Financial management, budget and spreadsheet experience.

Core competencies:

• Ability to maintain comfort and flexibility within a fast-paced environment.
• Ability and willingness to take initiative; timely follow-through.
• Strong interpersonal skills; communication; team orientation; motivational skills.
• Organizational knowledge
• Volunteer management.
• Problem solving skills; creativity, innovation
• Meeting facilitation skills.
• Time and project management; attention to detail.
• Integrity and discretion.
• Financial Management.
• Information Technology Management (of vended support.)

Physical requirements:

• Must expect to work onsite
• Must have ability to access entire facility
• Available to work occasional evenings for board and other meetings.

Participation in group health insurance; contribution to retirement plan; paid vacation and sick time; access to other group plans

English required; Spanish- or Portuguese-language skills also welcome.