Operations Manager

SustainAbility is a London-based company with offices in New York, Washington and Zurich.  The company specializes in helping private businesses understand and respond constructively to the challenges of sustainable development. We combine working as consultants with alternative means of influence through our research and campaigning work.

Position Overview: 

The Operations Manager plays a central role in creating and maintaining critical processes and systems to support the achievement of our global mission of a more just and sustainable world -- accomplished by driving step change with business through markets.

Reporting to the Director of Research & Advocacy, this position has primary responsibility for developing and maintaining fundamental operational systems and procedures, including overall management of office and production schedules; event planning and conference participation processes; effective documentation of meetings related to research, communications, advocacy, IT, sustainability.com, and knowledge management; implementation of numerous IT initiatives; providing administrative and communications support to various SustainAbility teams; and supervision of the Administrative Coordinator.

Responsibilities:            

Office Management - 15%             

• Supervise, coach and develop work and professional development of the Administrative Coordinator.
• Coordinate with IT and knowledge management teams to lead roll-out of new capabilities, training, and trouble-shooting.
• Maximize existing office space.
• Vet and select new vendors.   

Global IT Infrastructure and Knowledge Management - 25%

• Assist and support the development of an evolving research and knowledge management infrastructure, including maintaining the company's proposal, report, and presentation templates, and coordinating inventory and access to electronic files folders and libraries.
• Assist with the management of the company's IT infrastructure, including support and issue resolution for the Washington, DC office and remote users, supporting the PC procurement process, and developing necessary documentation and training materials.                       

Research, Marketing, Communications, distribution and Advocacy - 50%

• Support development and coordination of project schedules and budgets for research projects.
• Coordinate meetings, partner relationships, and organization of research materials.
• Support project managers to ensure effective and timely internal communications for all projects.
• Support active relationships with key partners, vendors, funders, sponsors and Faculty.
• Provide research to support development and implementation of marketing and advocacy plans.
• Build, maintain, and utilize marketing systems to ensure the effective distribution of SA materials and knowledge.
• Manage the organization's contacts and database for efficient retrieval, tracking, and storage.
• Build and maintain relationships with specialized vendors such as designers and media consultants.
• Undertake guided research related to project proposals, reports or any other aspect of client and research work; providing this information in a timely and appropriate way.
• Manage conference, media, and impact tracking systems.
• Set up phone interviews for research and client projects (in the US or internationally) taking into account deadlines, time differences and diaries.  
• Provide clients, interviewees or potential clients with appropriate information.                                    

Special Events - 10%     

•  Manage logistics necessary for successful SA-sponsored events such as report launches, workshops, receptions, etc.
• Develop overall event plans and schedules
• Coordinate speaker solicitation and post-event thank you letters and evaluation summaries.
• Manage invitation lists and responses.
• Compile participant and press packets, name tents, badges, and signage.
• Explore, select and negotiate contracts with hotels, vendors, etc..
• Establish corporate accounts with hotels/venues to obtain competitive pricing.      

Qualifications:

• Experienced professional, 5+ years of experience
• Proven success with process and information management.
• Self-starter and team player.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Strong skills in MS office suite.
• Able to juggle multiple tasks with deftness and attention to deadlines.
• Highly comfortable with web, IT, and knowledge management functions.  

SustainAbility provides competitive salaries and a generous benefits package.

To Apply:

Please email a cover letter and resume. We seek to fill this position immediately.

SustainAbility believes that diversity adds value to our business. We hire associates who reflect the rich array of diverse cultures, ideologies, and values that are part of the broad global workforce. SustainAbility does not discriminate on the basis of race, religious beliefs, gender, age, national origin, sexual orientation, citizenship status, marital status, political beliefs/affiliation, disability, or social or cultural background.