Managing Director, Operational Strategy

Position: Managing Director of Operational Strategy 

Compensation: $100,000 - $105,000

Term: Full-time

Location: Flexible / Remote. 

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

THE ORGANIZATION

Our Turn is here to fight for education justice. Education justice looks like students exerting decision-making power for their education. It’s students and families elevating what works for them, and resources flowing to support their aspirations. It’s students serving as the evidence base. It’s the centering of Black, Indigenous, and students of color in data, curriculum, culture, communications, and funding; Activating the next generation of diverse civic leaders who know what’s possible for all students. 

Our Turn is best in class at youth change-making, centering youth in that change, and developing young leaders.

Our Turn could really improve on clarifying, concretizing, and operationalizing the work we do to be exactly where we want and need to be. 

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Managing Director of Operational Strategy (MDOS) leads the development and execution of Our Turn's short and long-term vision, building a thriving operational foundation to achieve student-centered education justice. The Managing Director of Operational Strategy will be a key member of the leadership team, and a strategic partner for the CEO while exercising a high degree of autonomy in developing and managing operational, finance, and HR systems with an emphasis on CEO support and developing long-term organizational strategy, internal culture, and people development and retention. This role works to create, manage, and enhance systems and processes for efficient and equitable operations. This role centers humanity and maintains a culture of care for staff sustainability through policy development, benefits distribution, and budget tracking.

To ensure that our team is prepared and excited to do their job with excellence every day, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes: a performance-based culture with unlimited paid time off; a flexible working environment; opportunities for internal and external professional development; health, dental, and vision insurance; retirement plan with an employer match.

WHAT YOU WILL ACCOMPLISH 

LEAD

the development of the people team, operations functions and relevant HR systems and processes to support the growing team’s success.

BUILD

the roadmap for operational efficiency, people centered systems and a dope, values-based culture.

PARTNER

with the CEO and the leadership team to crush our goals, learn from our hiccups and ensure students and the organization succeed.

A WEEK IN THE LIFE

Click here to view the graphic in the JD document.

WHO SHOULD APPLY

• People leaders
• Fastidious thinkers
• Ones who pay all attention to detail
• Meticulous folks
• People who believe in the power of belief 
• Strategists
• Excellent communicators
• Upstream swimmers
• People unafraid to roll up their sleeves
• Culture champions
• Folks with a heart for people and a mind for operations

HOW TO THRIVE IN THIS ROLE

• You are a masterful strategic thinker and influencer, making real impact. You execute today's priorities while maintaining a forward-thinking mindset around where we will be six months, one year, and five years from now. You are innovative in solving challenges and driving forward new ideas and initiatives. You are comfortable using both quantitative and qualitative analyses to analyze issues and balance business and impact goals.
• You are a leader who approaches decision-making with an equity lens. You prioritize people in your leadership approach. You actively consider the diverse perspectives and needs of all individuals/groups affected by your decisions, focusing on those who are marginalized or underrepresented. You advocate for equitable policies, practices, and opportunities. You engage in ongoing learning and self-reflection to deepen your understanding of equity and continuously improve your leadership practices. 
• You are flexible, adaptable, and resourceful. Your adeptness at handling complexity and embracing change enables you to excel in dynamic environments with new challenges and priorities. You act boldly, demonstrating an action-oriented mindset that drives you to take initiative and achieve results.
• You support people, nurture talent, and leverage relationships. You enjoy coaching teams and sharing and receiving feedback. You can build relationships that enable mutual knowledge sharing and professional development. Your ability to connect with others as a resourceful team player who thrives on fostering positive connections and empowering others to succeed aligns with our organization's emphasis on staff wellbeing, celebration of diversity, and development of social impact and global development leaders.
• You effectively communicate and collaborate across teams and states. You can work seamlessly with all levels of an organization, working hand-in-hand with your direct team, the leadership team, and other functions to influence decision-making and achieve impact. You excel in navigating cultural differences and fostering inclusivity and cohesion among diverse team members. You are proactive in building relationships, establishing clear goals, and ensuring alignment across a remote team. You are excited to build & collaborate with a leadership team for maximum efficacy.
• You engage with humility and speak honestly. You demonstrate empathy and strong interpersonal skills, genuinely caring about others' well-being and success. You prioritize open communication, honesty, and integrity, fostering a culture of transparency and ethics. Your leadership approach creates an environment of trust, accountability, and ethical behavior, contributing to overall team and organizational success and well-being.
• You are adept at change management. You are a smooth operator in a sea of transformation. With a keen understanding of the human element in change, you champion clear communication, address concerns proactively, and foster an environment of adaptability. You anticipate roadblocks and develop effective strategies to ensure a smooth and successful journey toward the organization's future goals.

ABOUT THE REPORTING STRUCTURE

• The CEO is a recovering workaholic, but because he believes deeply in mission
• The CEO is looking for a thought partner and an operational partner
• Because he is a visionary, he also needs a rock to tether to; you need to be his grounding
• He doesn’t want a push-over; argue your case, but also be the banner waver for whatever final decision is made
• Be a confidant 
• Operate in operational excellence
• He knows people are the most important part of the organization, but sometimes his drive doesn’t reflect that - you have to be the first line for the people in the organization
• He loves to laugh, so should you
• He’s new, give him grace and hold grace for yourself
• He loves to win

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Alignment with Our Turn’s Student Agenda

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 3+ years of senior leadership experience with extensive knowledge of nonprofit management and strategy
• 6+ years of combined operations, HR, and finance experience, with at least 4 years of operational oversight
• 4+ years of experience directly managing full-time staff and a proven track record of developing talent internally
• Discretion with sensitive personnel matters, proprietary business information, etc
• Experience managing budgets of $1M+
• Experience designing and implementing an organizational strategic plan with a time horizon of 1 year+, with demonstrable results
• Experience planning and facilitating or coordinating professional development activities
• Experience working in a remote, multi-state work environment
• Strong relationship builder with excellent soft skills
• Comfort and desire to work across lines of difference and experience implementing inclusive and equitable practices in a nonprofit setting
• Works easily with ambiguity, can change pace quickly, and can start moving a project forward even before all of the details are figured out
• Self-starter who loves to learn and is always curious about how make things work better
• Wholly people-focused with understanding that not everyone needs the same thing to do their best work and a desire to make HR and operational systems effective for all team members
• HR experience or combination of operations and HR experience (SHRM or PHR certified preferred, but not required)
• Experience using HRIS (Paylocity preferred, but not essential)
• Experience administering or directing employee benefits
• Experience managing or directing end to end talent acquisition
• Familiarity with community organizing and political organizing strategies and the differences between 501c3 and 501c4 compliance

WHAT IS THE TIMELINE?

• Late April/Early May: Few candidates selected to advance to interviews.
• Early May: Phone & group interviews will take place.
• Mid-May: 1-3 finalists interview with the CEO. 
• Late May: Offer extended to one. Start date shortly thereafter.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY 

Our Turn encourages individuals of all identities and backgrounds to apply for this position and is committed to recruiting a team that reflects the diversity of our student movement (BIPOC, members of the LGBTQIA community, first-generation college students). Our Turn does not discriminate against any applicant because of race, color, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, nation of origin, disability, age, marital status, military status, parenthood, or any legally protected class. 

HOW TO APPLY

Click on the link to fill out our google application. Applications will be accepted until the position has been filled. Please email Jenn at jenn@itsourturn.org with any questions or requests for accommodations.

To ensure that our team is prepared and excited to do their job with excellence every day, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes: a performance-based culture with unlimited paid time off; a flexible working environment; opportunities for internal and external professional development; health, dental, and vision insurance; retirement plan with an employer match.