Director of Operations

WAGES seeks an experienced and entrepreneurial senior manager who excels in collaborative work environments to join our team as Director of Operations and help lead the organization’s next phase of growth.

WAGES is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization whose mission is to build worker-owned green businesses that create healthy, dignified jobs for low-income women. WAGES incubates and supports green housecleaning cooperatives, now operating in five Bay Area counties, and we have just completed a strategic expansion plan to bring the benefits of our triple bottom line social enterprise model to women throughout the Bay Area and beyond.

With potential for national expansion, WAGES offers candidates an exciting opportunity to apply their talents, creativity and proven leadership and management skills to a unique effort advancing social justice, green business/jobs, women’s empowerment, and asset building for low-income families.

Position Overview: 

Reporting to the Executive Director and serving as a member of the senior management team, the Director of Operations is responsible for optimizing WAGES’ operations and our technical assistance and shared business services for the worker-owned businesses in our network.

S/he will bear primary responsibility for identifying and implementing strategies that will promote excellent financial stewardship and efficient daily operations at both WAGES and the cooperatives and enable us to achieve economies of scale for the launch and growth of multiple cooperatives.

Initially, 3 to 5 staff positions, plus consultants, will report to the Director of Operations.

We are seeking a seasoned manager with solid experience in business and operations management, project management, and supervision of teams. Strong financial management and analytical skills and exceptional interpersonal and staff management skills are required. The ideal candidate will have been a mid- to senior-level manager in both for-profit and non-profit environments and will have experience with all aspects s/he will be overseeing:  finance, technology, legal/contracts, insurance, facilities, human resources, and performance management.

Responsibilities: 

Essiential responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

WAGES Operations:

• Define new operational metrics and processes for continuous improvement and scalability.
• Oversee budgeting, bookkeeping and fiscal cycles; ensure compliance with GAAP standards.
• Oversee human resources: hiring, staffing and termination processes, updated job descriptions, policies, and operations manuals.
• Oversee payroll (outside administrator), and all insurance and benefits programs including selecting vendors, enrollment and ongoing administration.
• Oversee technology & equipment purchases and maintenance, coordinating and prioritizing work with Information Technology (IT) consultants/contractors.

Technical Assistance for Incubating Cooperatives:

• Provide and/or oversee technical assistance to incubating cooperatives including: business planning and start-up, business finances/analytics, annual budget appropriations, tax preparation processes, operational systems, legal structure and contracts.
• Document and update all processes; recommend new strategies for business efficiency, profitability, and excellence in customer service.
• Analyze business performance, prepare contingency plans, and provide troubleshooting if the business is not meeting standards and goals.

Business Standards and Services through Co-op Network:

• Support and oversee application of business standards and provision of Shared Business Services through our Co-op Network (the Network governs member commitments to service areas, Eco-Friendly Cleaning and other standards and provides a framework for common operational systems, joint marketing and purchasing, shared services and training).
• Update and develop templates and best practices for cooperative by-laws, personnel policies, financial management protocols and other technical documents.
• Develop new Shared Business Services program and systems for marketing, purchasing, benefits administration, peer training, and/or other areas.
• Protect WAGES market niche, service area agreements, and trademarks.

Management and Planning:

• Supervise staff including WAGES’ finance and administration manager, co-op network manager, co-op business advisors, and launch team leaders.
• Mentor and develop staff; set measurable goals, advise as needed and measure success.
• Oversee selection and quality assurance of work done by technical consultants and vendors.
• Utilize dashboards and other methods to track metrics and program outcomes.
• Play a leadership role in strategic planning and model development.
• Participate in WAGES’ fundraising and communications efforts.
• Participate in WAGES’ management team.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required; MBA, MPP or similar degree strongly preferred. Degree is not a substitute for experience.
• A minimum of 6 years in a management position with multiple direct staff reports.
• Demonstrated success in a leadership role responsible for finance, legal compliance, operations, and/or human resources.
• Demonstrable experience in business management, scaling, and the assessment of deliverables.
• A strong commitment to WAGES’ mission and interest in social enterprise, asset-building, and community development.
• Experience in both for-profit and non-profit experience highly desirable.
• Proven track record of creating and implementing innovative solutions to meet organizational needs; ability to bring creativity and collaboration to operations and financial processes.
• Substantial knowledge of financial planning and management practices, internal controls for multiple business lines, and performance reporting/management.
• Significant management skills including team building and staff supervision and development; ability to guide colleagues, senior management, and board members around business management functions.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Strategic, analytical approach combined with strong interpersonal skills, maturity, professionalism, and integrity.
• Extreme flexibility, with a strong work ethic and an entrepreneurial spirit to accommodate high level of responsibility and multiple priorities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and financial management software required. Proficiency with Macs desired.
• Ability to multi-task and provide consistent high attention to detail.
• Spanish language skills are highly desirable.

Compensation: Salary and benefits commensurate with experience. WAGES is an equal opportunity employer and offers a generous benefits package including health, dental, vision and paid vacation.

To Apply:

Please submit a resume and thoughtful cover letter, both in Word format, outlining how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of the position and stating how you heard about this opportunity. Email application materials with "DO-GJ 2011" in the subject line.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Position open until filled.