Posting: Director of Operations (Nonprofit Organization Strategy) - Co.act Detroit MI
May 18, 2023
Description
About the Organization
TechTown is Detroit’s entrepreneurship hub. We empower Detroit-based startups and local businesses by providing resources, collaborative workspace and education for entrepreneurs that will further accelerate inclusive economic development across Detroit.
About Co.act Detroit
In 2017, TechTown Detroit partnered with the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation to launch Co.act Detroit to expand opportunities for nonprofits in Southeast Michigan. Located at 6568 Woodward Avenue, Co.act Detroit is a hub that accelerates transformative impact with nonprofit and community organizations in southeast Michigan through collaborative idea generation, cross-sector resources, and equitable access to world-class programming and learning opportunities.
Co.act Detroit is building towards a future in which systemic barriers that undermine community power and success are overcome through a culture of collaborative action and access to priority resources. Since publicly launching in 2019, Co.act Detroit has pushed against convention to accelerate towards new ways of doing things within the nonprofit sector. As a catalyst and connector, Co.act works to transcend sector and power dynamics by bringing together funders, investors, practitioners, nonprofits, and community leaders to build a more equitable future. We intentionally lean into our values of equity, access and inclusion, transparency and trust, quality, and excellence, fostering a collaborative learning culture and disrupting the status quo.
Through our efforts we have served more than 15,000 nonprofit leaders while co-designing and implementing more than $3 million in grant support to southeast Michigan nonprofits, serving as a convener for brave and critical community conversations for collective problem solving and developing innovative and adaptable programming that connect nonprofits to critical resources. To learn more about Co.act’s impact, please visit here.
Strategic Framework
Co.act Detroit has adopted a new strategic framework plan built upon two key priorities: 1) transforming the nonprofit sector and 2) developing Co.act. We are excited about the future and focused on our commitment to help nonprofits deliver transformational community impact, while continuing to build Co.act’s leadership, capacity, and long-term sustainability.
Our efforts to transform the nonprofit sector include promoting an equitable funding landscape, building cross-sector collaborative networks, and expanding equitable access to innovative resources. As we focus on sustained impact, Co.act is also working to grow our leadership capacity, develop and expand diverse partnerships and build organizational sustainability.
About the Opportunity
The Director of Operations & Organizational Strategy is a full-time position and key member of the Co.act Detroit leadership team responsible for managing strategic priorities and internal operations. The Director of Operations & Organizational Strategy will work closely with the Executive Director to chart Co.act’s future growth and strategic response to increasing demands for our services while maintaining oversight of the day-to-day operations.
The Director of Operations & Organizational Strategy will build a track record of success while working alongside the Executive Director and team to further develop Co.act’s vision and achieve our goals for continued financial and organizational stability and expanding the impact of our programs and mission. As a new leadership position for Co.act Detroit, this role requires an entrepreneurial leader who can align our inspirational vision and innovative programs with emerging needs and operational excellence while welcoming flexibility and creativity.
Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Operations & Organizational Strategy will work with the Co.act team to activate on our ongoing reactivation strategy for the Co.act Detroit collaborative workspace ensuring a safe and welcome space for our community. The Director of Operations & Organizational Strategy will work closely with the Executive Director, Senior Director of Program Strategy and Innovation and consultants to balance existing operational priorities with future short- and long-term strategies.
As a growing initiative, the ideal candidate will work to ensure that our infrastructure, systems, internal culture, and our policies reflect our values and best practices while also managing our complexity. The Director of Operations & Organizational Strategy must be a strategic leader, a strong communicator, a skillful manager, an outstanding collaborator and possess a clear understanding and empathy for the challenges faced by nonprofit organizations.
The Impact You Will Make:
Organizational growth planning
- Work with Executive Director and Co.act Detroit team to implement and regularly review and update the strategic plan and implementation work plans, reporting progress and setbacks and where appropriate implementing new processes and approaches
- Ensure necessary systems, organizational practices, and policies are in place to support implementation and evaluation of progress towards Co.act’s goals
- Work closely with Community Manager and consultants to implement Co.act space reactivation, including oversight of renovations and expense management and pivots as strategy dictates
- Design and manage key projects and special initiatives that relate to organizational efficiency and growth
- Support the growth and evolution of a strategic data collection and analysis, including assessment of current (CRM) tools to determine needed upgrades
- Work closely with Co.act Detroit leadership team to forecast and manage earned and contributed revenue to inform long-term strategies and multi-year budget projections
- Further build out and implement a high-functioning operating structure that effectively supports staff and aligns to the strategic plan goals with a focus toward future needs and financial considerations
- Take an active role in building, supporting, and maintaining the collaborative partnerships in and out of the community that are critical to meeting Co.act’s mission
Operational Optimization
- Model an environment of collaboration, accountability, and learning and reinforce the value of continuous quality improvement while embedding an equity lens in all aspects of operations
- Oversee effective operations, keeping abreast of cutting-edge and emerging organizational development trends locally, nationally, and globally
- In partnership with Co.act leadership team, contribute to the identification and prioritization of organizational improvements
- Work closely with Executive Director and finance department in planning, coordinating, and developing the annual operations and budget process and tracking including oversight of forecasting, reporting, team training and developing systems to manage resources thoughtfully and effectively
- Assist the Executive Director and finance department with grant and financial compliance in the expenditure of funds and in reports to funders, in the development of budgets and other financial data required from grant applications
- Support the capacity of a high-performing team by actively creating development opportunities and supporting the coordination and design of internal meetings, trainings and team building activities
- Serve as a liaison for finance and human resources departments, and be accountable for success of the work in these areas
- Represent Co.act Detroit to a variety of external audiences in meetings, conferences, and events including planning committees, board meetings and task forces where appropriate
- Develop position descriptions and lead the hiring, and if necessary disciplinary and other personnel actions in accordance with personnel policies, for all direct reports
Requirements
What You Will Bring to the Table:
- Minimum of a BA/BS and/or equivalent experience in Nonprofit Management, Business Management, Organizational Development; Master’s Degree preferred
- At least 5 years of progressive operations leadership experience, preferably in a nonprofit or other mission-oriented setting, specifically those with multiple and diverse stakeholders is preferred
- A high degree of intercultural competence and commitment to supporting a diverse set of experiences and is welcoming and inclusive to all backgrounds and identities; experience leading work through an equity lens is strongly preferred
- Proven track record of success facilitating progressive organizational change and development, including leading and implementing strategic and operational plans and making sound organizational decisions
- Motivation to create solutions together, harness the ideas, knowledge, and experience of a diverse and wide range of stakeholders to create the best results
- Demonstrated supervisory experience and ability to build managerial capacity among direct reports and other team members
- Significant demonstrated professional experience in writing, speaking and the ability to engage with diverse audiences
- Experience with facilities management (maintenance, improvement, activation) is not required but is considered a plus
- A working knowledge of the nonprofit sector is required, with deep Detroit experience or knowledge strongly preferred
- Demonstrated facility with Microsoft Office Suite of products, Zoho and Google Drive
The Perks:
TechTown offers generous health and dental plans as well as vision, life insurance, short-term disability, a 401(k) plan, and a team member assistance program. Full-time team members also receive:
- 100% TechTown paid Life, STD, and LTD benefits
- Wellness Inspired Workplace with a Wellness Program and onsite Wellness Room
- 5 Weeks of paid time off per year
- 23 paid holidays (including 2 weeks in December and 1 week in July)
- 12 Paid Mental Health Days per year (one per month)
- $2500 Professional development stipend
- Retirement plan with employer matching up to 6%.
- Paid parental leave
- Creativity and innovation supported and encouraged by leadership
- Fulfillment?and the knowledge of having made an impact in Detroit’s economic growth
Work Arrangements:
- This position is hybrid.
Salary:
- The budgeted salary range for this position starts at $90,000 and may be adjusted according to qualifications and experience.
Vaccination Requirement:
TechTown has instituted a COVID-19 Vaccination Policy that requires all team members to be fully vaccinated or have an approved vaccination waiver on file with human resources and undergo weekly testing.
To Apply:
To apply please send a resume and cover letter through our TechTown Careers site. Only applications submitted on our careers site will be considered. The position will remain open until filled.