Director of Operations

Description

The Trace is looking for a Director of Operations to play a pivotal role in developing our organization’s structure and capacity to meet future opportunities and challenges.

At our growing nonprofit media organization, we’re building the only team of journalists dedicated to reporting on gun violence. Our stories are making a difference, and our financial support has increased during these uncertain times. As we plan for the future, we’re seeking an experienced nonprofit operations pro who is passionate about building strong team culture, fostering collaboration, and creating efficient and effective processes and workflows. This leadership position works across departments while reporting to the Managing Director, The Trace’s top executive.

We hope you’ll consider applying if:

• You believe in the power of journalism and storytelling to drive positive change
• You’re proactive and entrepreneurial when it comes to solving operational problems and bridging capacity gaps
• You’re a systems thinker who looks at operations holistically and considers the interconnectedness and interdependencies of complex functions and processes
• You know how to implement best practices while remaining open-minded and adaptive

Job Duties

Operational Leadership
• In consultation with other members of The Trace’s leadership team, design and lead the implementation of policies and procedures that maximize organizational effectiveness and enhance overall organizational performance
• Work with the Managing Director to develop agendas and track follow-through for board and leadership meetings, ensuring full and effective leadership engagement with organizational priorities
• Contribute to annual strategic planning processes by providing input on overall goals and departmental goals, and developing detailed operations goals that ensure overall financial health, operational excellence, and strong team-wide collaboration
• Develop a transparent, inclusive system for tracking and reporting metrics relevant to organizational goals and obligations, and help prepare external reports on impact as needed
• Ensure organizational compliance with all relevant regulations and standards, and develop and implement risk management strategies to safeguard the organization’s assets and reputation

Staff and Culture Leadership
• Build and maintain the pillars of an inclusive, equitable, and collaborative team culture that supports professional growth and staff retention
• Manage people operations staff and vendors, ensuring that all HR functions are completed on time and in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations
• Regularly collect and analyze data and team input to understand the demographic composition of the staff and ensure progress towards DEIB goals

Financial Leadership
• Lead annual budgeting and quarterly reporting processes, in consultation with the board, leadership, and consultants as needed
• Manage staff and ensure compliance with all financial policies and procedures — including handling of payments, reimbursements, receivables, and reporting
• Distribute financial reports and create monthly financial updates, ensuing that management decisions are informed by up-to-date budget balances and cash forecasts
• Oversee the annual audit and 990 preparation

Technology
• Oversee digital tools, hardware, and software resources for our distributed team, which includes in-person, hybrid, and fully remote positions
• Manage IT vendors and support services, ensuring staff have the necessary technology to perform their roles effectively
• Implement and maintain cybersecurity measures to protect organizational data

Skills Required

• At least 7 years of experience in an operations leadership role in a nonprofit organization
• Experience leading, managing, and developing teams that include both coworkers and consultants, with proven ability to coach, develop, and retain staff
• Superlative organization, prioritization, and time-management skills, consistently leading to deadlines met and goals achieved
• High level of proficiency in online productivity tools (e.g., Google Workspace, Microsoft Office 365, Slack, Asana) to streamline workflows, enhance collaboration, and improve task efficiency

Additional Info

Location: Charlottesville, VA or New York, NY (preferred), Remote (possible)

Reports to: Managing Director

Compensation and Benefits:
• $115,000 – $165,000, depending on experience and location
• Full medical/dental/vision paid by employer
• 20 PTO days, 10 sick days, and 2 personal days annually, plus federal holidays
• 401(k) with employer match
• 12 weeks of fully paid family leave
• Professional development funding

To Apply:
• Please fill out the application form. In lieu of a cover letter, we ask that you answer a few questions to showcase your skills and experience, as well as submit your resume.
• The deadline for applying is December 1, 2024. We will review materials on a rolling basis and encourage interested candidates to apply without delay.
• Questions about this opportunity? Email jobs@thetrace.org. Please do not contact us to ask about the status of your application before we have contacted you.

At The Trace, we are committed to building an organization that is equitable and inclusive. We strongly encourage applications from people of color, women, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ people.