Operations Director

Applications are considered on a rolling basis, with a priority deadline of Monday, May 2nd.

ABOUT THE POSITION

Critical Exposure (CE) is seeking a full-time Operations Director to join our team in Washington, DC to steward people-centered practices through managing operations and supporting human resources (HR) and finance. We’re seeking a candidate who’s passionate about creating and implementing systems and supporting a healthy work culture in a team that develops the leadership and changemaking capacities of BIPOC youth in Washington, DC. 

This is a new position, with great potential for shaping operational strategy, systems, and processes, as CE is in its initial years following a founder transition. We need a candidate who can play a key role in helping us to achieve our dreams for organizational wellness and flow. In your first six months, here are some key projects you might decide to tackle: 

• Implementation of a platform like Zenefits to support consistent time-tracking,
• Sourcing and working closely with an HR consultant to review and update our employee handbook with people-centered policies,
• Implementing a reconciliation flow for financial processes, and/or
• Conducting a team-wide satisfaction assessment of benefits.

Additionally, the Operations Director will be essential in reviewing, evaluating, and shaping CE’s pay scale and benefits, work we must undertake to live into our organizational call for justice.  

CE is looking for someone with 5+ years’ experience in nonprofit operations and administration, with a preference for candidates who have worked in DC and/or small nonprofits. The prospective hire enjoys streamlining and clarifying processes, nurturing staff well-being, and balancing compliance with complexity. Strong candidates should have formal work experience in operations/administration, including some experience with finance and personnel/HR responsibilities. 

Candidates must demonstrate a deep understanding of systems of privilege and oppression and an ability to bring an inclusive, people-centered lens to policies and practices across the team, as well as demonstrate ease working with youth and young professionals. The Operations Director reports to the Executive Director, is a member of the organization’s Leadership Team, and has the option to work remotely. If remote, there will be occasional travel to our Washington, DC office for specific meetings, retreats, and on-site operations needs. Please note: all CE staff are expected to have received the COVID-19 vaccine, as mandated and defined by DC Public Schools and DC Public Charter Schools, where CE operates programs. 

POSITION OVERVIEW

This is a mid-career position. Duties of the Operations Director include:

• Manage, revise, and update organizational procedures and processes, identifying gaps in our operational systems and propose solutions for a 10-person team;
• Ensure transparent, just, and equitable internal systems, policies, and procedures that match CE’s external calls for justice;
• Lead the strategy and process for long-term operational and HR infrastructure;
• Provide key support for day-to-day finance and longer-term budgeting (CE’s budget is approximately $850k); and
• Actively participate in leadership team and staff meetings.

KEY COMPETENCIES

• Understanding of and an intersectional commitment to undoing internalized, interpersonal, and institutionalized oppression.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented.
• Excels at time management: able to prioritize and balance long-term and short-term projects while ensuring deadlines are met.
• Systems thinker, with the ability to streamline processes, identify gaps, and develop and integrate new processes across the organization.
• Ability to be self-directed and thrive in a highly collaborative team environment
• Keeps a thriving team at the center of the work: ability to negotiate the needs of the individual with the needs of the group/organization
• Ability to set and maintain healthy boundaries
• Grounded, flexible, and brings a sense of humility/learning-orientation to their work

IMPORTANT SKILLS

• 5+ years of operational and administrative experience, ideally in a small nonprofit environment, with a track record of creating and adapting inclusive processes that strengthen how teams and the organization operate.
• Experience with inclusive and people-centered policies, practices, and operations (e.g. benefits administration, policy development, hiring); have practical knowledge of employment regulations and state/federal compliance.
• Experience with financial management (e.g. budgeting, accounts receivable/payable, payroll).
• Superb organization skills: proven ability to prioritize, plan backwards, and meet multiple competing deadlines efficiently and effectively.
• Comfort with the full Google Suite (Google Drive, Google Calendar, etc.), as well as Asana, Quickbooks, Bill.com, or similar platforms.
• Experience working with young people and people new to nonprofit work experience.
• High degree of personal integrity and ethical decision-making; demonstrated ability to manage sensitive and confidential matters.
• Able to work evenings for key organization-wide events during the year (at least twice annually) based on availability and current work priorities.