Vice President Operations and Chief of Staff

Alliance for Justice (AFJ) is a national association of over 130 organizations, representing a broad array of groups committed to progressive values and the creation of an equitable, just, and free society. AFJ’s Bolder Advocacy program is the nation’s leading resource for foundations and nonprofits who want to engage more actively and knowledgeably in the policymaking process. Bolder Advocacy’s legal experts help organizations move from cautious to courageous across lobbying, election-related activity, ballot measures, grantmaking, and other efforts necessary to change the world.

AFJ is headquartered in Washington, DC, with offices in Northern and Southern California and Texas. For more information about Bolder Advocacy, please visit www.bolderadvocacy.org.

Job Purpose

Vice President of Operations and Chief of Staff

The Alliance for Justice (501c3) and affiliate Alliance for Justice Action Campaign (501c4) seeks a Vice President of Operations and Chief of Staff.  The VPO/CoS will report to the President and be directly responsible for the organization’s overall operations and administration.  This includes assisting the President with the day-to-day management of the organization and creating robust, equitable systems and operations that will facilitate the President’s vision.

Specifically, the VPO/CoS will be responsible for six major areas: 1) Organizational Effectiveness and Strategy; 2) Human Resources & DEI; 3) Finance, including systems and controls, reporting, forecasts, and investments; 4) Operations, including administration across our offices; 5) IT systems administration, including through staff and outside service providers; and 6) Risk Management and Compliance.  The position will have three direct reports: the Director of Administration, Director of Finance, and Database Manager.

This position will report to the President and will be based in Washington, DC, but will work remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic with an expectation of returning to the office in Spring 2022, with flexible work arrangements encouraged.

Duties and Responsibilities

Manage Organizational Effectiveness and Strategy

• Serves as a key member of the Alliance’s Executive Management Team and, with the President, sets the agenda for the organization's senior leadership team, including planning regular meetings and quarterly step-backs.
• Lead the organization’s annual goal-setting process and ensure ongoing assessment and evaluation throughout the year.
• Promote a culture of high performance and continuous process improvement, including developing, refining, and improving the organization’s policies and procedures and ensuring smooth and effective communications throughout the organization.

Human Resources & Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Oversight (EDIB)

• Big Picture Oversight: Provide big picture oversight of the management of the human resources program (including recruiting and onboarding program, employee relations, policy and procedure development and implementation, benefits administration) and in the overall evaluation and improvement of HR practices.
• Provide leadership to develop and integrate equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging goals in the full spectrum of HR practices and in the organizational culture and climate.
• Labor Relations: Work closely with the President and Director of Administration on collective bargaining and labor union relations.

Financial Oversight

• Financial Strategy: Provide strategic financial oversight on issues affecting the organization, including deployment of resources and long-term planning to achieve our mission. This includes making recommendations for investment levels and choices consistent with our socially responsible investment guidelines.
• Internal Controls: Ensure strong internal controls, financial systems, and effective procedures in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and best practices of financial management.
• Financial Management & Accounting: Ensure a rigorous budget process, timely reporting during the year and an efficient year-end closing, annual audit, and tax return processes.

Operations and Facilities Management

• Provide oversight of administrative, procurement and operational functions for all offices.

IT Infrastructure Oversight

• Ensure that IT infrastructure is aligned with organizational and staffing needs, including through in-house staffing and working closely with external IT managed services provider to strategize and implement IT solutions.
• Authorize business technology decisions, purchasing and project implementations. Ensure information security. 

Compliance and Risk Management

• Identify areas of vulnerability and risk across the organization, including evaluating and aligning organizational policies, protocols, guidelines, and practices to be consistent with compliance program.
• Working with Bolder Advocacy to ensure that AFJ and AFJAC entities have sufficient and necessary separation, while benefiting from sharing resources to advance their missions.
• Ensure organization is compliant with all laws relating to hazard control and industrial health/safety – including with the organization’s continuing response to COVID and future health hazards, as well as physical security of staff/facilities, safety risk assessments and injury prevention programs.

Qualifications

Education/Experience and Skills/Competencies:

(We welcome you to include any lived experience you are comfortable sharing in your cover letter or an additional attachment)

To be successful in this position, you will excel in these areas:

• Managing a high-performing team: You are highly results-oriented, with a proven track record of managing a team to achieve results and a demonstrated ability to set and manage ambitious, yet achievable goals.  You have an ability to generate trust, respect, and commitment from staff and colleagues.
• Detail and systems oriented:You have a track record of developing systems and processes to manage work effectively.  You are comfortable digging into the specifics and have a fine attention to detail and accuracy.  You have the ability to track a lot of moving parts and manage complex projects.
• Problem-solving:  As the organization grows rapidly, issues or roadblocks arise, from the mundane to the complex, that need smart, strategic solutions.  You are able to develop and implement thoughtful approaches, including both short-term, in-the-moment fixes and longer term, systemic solutions, and to create systems that will help build a strong team and increase efficiencies and overall effectiveness of the team.
• Financially competent:  You have had experience working with numbers, spreadsheets, and managing a budget for a major program or organization.  You have the ability to translate programmatic goals and strategies into budgets, track and analyze progress, and make smart recommendations on financial decisions.  You also understand the importance of timely processing of income and expenses and how a strong financial department is crucial to an organization’s viability. You have managed other financial professionals.
• Values alignment:  You are comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and have the flexibility to adapt and switch gears when opportunities or needs arise.  You are a strong owner of work and a self-starter who can deliver as an individual performer, while also being a good team player.  You are also happy to work behind the scenes to make your colleagues’ work easier.
• Cultural competency:  You have experience working in diverse teams and creating equitable and inclusive environments.  You are able to build strong, trusting relationships across a diverse team, and to consider and adapt to perspectives beyond your own to strengthen the results of the team.

Education/Experience:

• A. or equivalent education and experience; M.B.A. is desirable.
• Deep experience in managing and administering organizations. This experience can be based in non-profits, for-profits, campaigns, or government. Successful candidates may have their deepest experience in any of the major functions of the position but must demonstrate knowledge and familiarity across most of the functions and must show overall aptitude and experience in organizational management.
• Minimum of 8+ years leadership experience, in a supervisory role, with a depth of experience in managing teams and the success of people who report to you.
• Demonstrated ability to handle difficult situations/individuals effectively.
• Experience creating effective processes, systems, and structures.
• Knowledge of employee and labor relations best practices and programs.
• Knowledge of employment, wage and hour, FMLA, and EEO laws and regulations.

Compensation and Benefits

We are committed to creating and maintaining a diverse workforce through equity initiatives, which includes equitable pay practices. Competitive compensation is commensurate with experience. Starting salary range for this position is $145,000-$200,000 annually.

We offer a comprehensive and generous benefits program, including:

Health

We offer medical, dental, vision benefits, as well an employee assistance program for physical and mental well-being.

Savings

Save for retirement with our 401K plan with employer matching. Other insurances include life and disability.

Time

We have a generous paid time off policy.

Family

We provide a range of paid and unpaid family leave programs that allow our employees to bond with and care for their children and other dependents.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use a computer and communicate with others while doing so. On occasions, travel by train and airplane. Ability to work long hours when needed. All employees are required to satisfactorily perform the essential duties and responsibilities of their positions. The essential duties and responsibilities listed above are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Racial Equity

Our employees share our commitment to increasing racial diversity in our movement and organization, integrating justice and equity into the work we do and ensuring an inclusive organizational culture.

How to Apply

To apply, candidates should submit a resume and cover letter describing their interest, skills and experience.  Please email your application with “Vice President of Operations” in the subject line to allianceforjustice.jobs@afj.org (NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE).  Applications are being accepted now and will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Alliance for Justice provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type based on race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. 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.

Disclaimer

This description is intended to provide an overview of this position and is not all-inclusive.  The incumbent in this position will be expected to perform other duties as required. Responsibilities may change over time. This description is provided for informational purposes only and does not form the basis of a contract.