Associate Director, Strategy and Operations

This is a full time position located from a remote office anywhere in the country with a requirement of up to 25% national travel in accordance with public health guidelines.

About the Role:

The Associate Director, Strategy & Operations will work closely with the CFOO, and other managers in the Finance and Operations functional departments for project coordination and execution. The Associate Director, Strategy & Operations will project manage and facilitate cross-team projects, manage internal team events, like the all team retreat, assist with team engagement strategies, conduct research, and prepare presentations related to cross-team projects that enhance the organizationʼs mission. This role will collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to advance, manage, and maintain optimal scheduling performance for the Chief Operating Officer. 

What You Will Do:

WHAT YOUʼLL DO 

Project Management & Coordination (60%)

• Conduct research and prepare presentations related to the subject area of the various projects and partners. 
• Research, prototype, and build specific operational systems conducive to meeting our strategic goals. 
• Manage and track internal and external operations projects and KPIs on a quarterly basis.
• Supports and coordinates cross-team projects, as directed through the Development, MarComms, Engagement, Business Systems, Finance and People and Culture teams.
• Align and coordinate with internal partners to drive strategy and execution of work plans ensuring high quality and timely deliverables.
• Prioritizes conflicting needs; handles matters expeditiously, proactively, and follows-through on projects to successful completion, often with deadline pressures.  

Administrative Support and Communication (20%)

• Completes a variety of administrative tasks for the CFOO and ED, Engagement where needed including: managing dynamic calendars; completing expense reports; composing and preparing correspondence; arranging complex and detailed travel plans, itineraries, and agendas; and compiling documents for meetings.
• Prioritize inquiries and requests while troubleshooting conflicts; make judgments and recommendations to ensure smooth day-to-day communications and engagements.
• Plans, coordinates and ensures the leadership schedules are followed and respected.
• Assist with the facilitation of team engagement strategies, such as team meetings, retreats, external events, feedback loops, and other key culture and operational structures.
• Serve as the primary point of contact on all matters pertaining to the scheduling of the CFOO (and, where desired, ED Engagement) managing both internal and external requests.
• Helps respond to RFPs and grant applications with information regarding finance, the Leadership team and the organization. 

Events and Logistics (20%):

• Plan and execute systems for scheduling internal team meetings, including cross-functional activities 
• Develop systems and processes for managing events across teams, including templates for travel memos and surveys, logistics memos, project plans, event launch forms, and other planning resources 
• Work with cross-functional teams to plan and execute logistics for all org-wide retreats and events, including securing space, managing materials and tech requests, supporting travel booking, communicating expectations, and meeting facilitator needs 
• Partner with the ED People & Culture  to plan and manage logistics for New Hire Orientation and community events 
• Partner with the ED Engagement to plan and manage logistics for conferences and sales related trips.
• Work with the Chief of Staff to support logistics for all in-person Board, Leadership Huddle, Executive Leadership Team, and Chiefs meetings, including managing scheduling, securing space, planning meals, and navigating technology and supply needs 
• Throughly research, cost analyze and negotiate with external vendors. 
• Develop and manage the event costs, track spending, identify areas of cost savings, and pay applicable vendors 
• Communicate the big picture and the smallest details to contracted vendors (venues, A/V providers, caterers, decorators) to build every component of the event experience
• Coordinate with relevant parties to design surveys for participants and support internal learning through the curation of meeting survey data

Candidate Qualifications and Traits:

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Possesses strong business acumen and can decipher priorities and make sound judgment calls.
• Ability to work independently and autonomously, while navigating ambiguity and shifting priorities.
• Strong organizational skills that reflect ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks seamlessly with excellent attention to detail.
• High degree of professionalism in dealing with diverse groups of people and strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to build relationships with stakeholders including Board members, senior executives, staff, community leaders, donors, and partners.
• Ability to react with appropriate levels of urgency to situations and events that require quick response or turnaround.
• Able to maintain a high level of integrity and discretion in handling confidential information.
• High technical aptitude and demonstrated ability to learn new systems 

Previous Experience: 7+ years of relevant experience, including substantial project management experience, demonstrated leadership, and expertise in team development

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Hiring

At Instruction Partners, we know that difference enhances, transforms and strengthens our ability to serve students and schools. We invite and celebrate diversity of all perspectives, and we are deeply committed to ensuring equitable access and voice throughout our organization. Instruction Partners is proudly an equal opportunity workplace, and we value the inclusion of persons who have experienced poverty and/or for whom English is not their first language, and every race, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, culture, ancestry, religion, national orientation, age, marital status or Veteran status. Join us, and let's work together to support great teaching and accelerate learning for every student.

Compensation:

The salary for this role is $101,500. Detailed information about the organizational compensation philosophy can be found here. Competitive benefits and private retirement investment options are available, as well as a generous vacation policy. See our detailed benefits package here: 2023-2024 Benefits in Brief Overview. Additionally, Instruction Partners participates in E-Verify. Please see the E-Verify “Notice of Participation” and the Department of Justice “Right to Work ” posters for more information.” 

Our Vision

All students experience an excellent education that prepares them to contribute to their community, achieve economic security, and pursue their dreams.

Our Mission

We strengthen instructional leadership in schools, school systems, and states to ensure teachers have the support they need to improve learning experiences and learning outcomes for students - with attention to students of color, students experiencing poverty, multilingual learners, and students with disabilities.

How We Work

Instruction Partners is a nonprofit organization dedicated to excellent instruction for all students, with a focus on students in poverty, students with disabilities, students learning English, and students of color. We keep one foot in practicality and the other in evidence-based best practices, because we believe that leveraging high-quality, grade-level content and providing just-in-time supports will accelerate learning for all students.

Instruction Partners spends time getting to know the needs of the educators, leaders, and systems it serves, allowing the team to custom-build service plans to support partner goals. Partnerships include on-the-ground support, and partnership team members serve as thought partners to the school systems they serve, a team educators can reach out to and feel supported by.

Instruction Partners provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Instruction Partners complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

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