Job description
ABOUT THE POSITION, in the role of Operations Manager, you will play a key role in supporting the success of regional teams through strategic operational coordination, cross-functional partnership, and systems-building. This role focuses on high-leverage tasks in evaluation, partnership development, internal communications, and logistical support — in close collaboration with HQ departments and regional leaders and supports Playworks regional operations across Michigan, New York/New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
This is a full-time, fully remote position that reports directly to the Director of Field Operations (DFO) and located in MI, NY, NJ, PA, MD or Washington DC area.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Evaluation & Continuous Improvement
- Develop, coordinate, and manage data collection efforts (Fall, Mid-Year, Spring) in collaboration with the Evaluation Team.
- Lead employee engagement evaluation strategy and data analysis within supported regions.
- Support the implementation of the Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) process, including facilitating data review and action planning with regional teams.
Innovation, Partnership, and Strategy Support
- Track and report on digital engagement data and develop systems to support regional use in partnership with DFO and Digital Team.
- Provide operational support for regional partnership growth initiatives (eg Playshops, proposals, logistics).
- Design and support initiatives for new market entry and communities of practice, as it relates to the strategic plan growth priorities.
- Support hub and regional strategic priorities in tandem with org-wide goals, such as the strategic plan.
Regional Operations & Administration
- Serve as a liaison between regional teams and org-wide departments (e.g., People, National AmeriCorps Team, Finance, and Solutions) to help facilitate the flow of information and support the implementation of processes and initiatives.
- Facilitate collaboration, resource sharing and community throughout supported regions
- Develop, maintain and monitor processes essential to effective operations across supported regions. Identify improvements, implement new and support adoption of key processes.
- Coordinate and manage event logistics, including planning timelines, vendor and volunteer relationships, budgeting, venue arrangements, and day-of execution, where applicable.
- Support hub leadership and regional staffwith administrative tasks and special projects as assigned.
- Oversee hub-level administrative operations, including:
- Manage partner contracts and invoicing, including creation, distribution and fee tracking.
- Plan and organize hub-wide staff meetings, communications and team-building events, in collaboration with DFO.
- Create and maintain reports using Salesforce, Excel or other applications for tracking and analysis of key indicators and metrics
- Identify and order resources for hub/regional staff such as apparel and supplies where applicable
- Support with learning and development systems, events and activities (e.g. Summer learning, Q1 learning, ongoing learning, etc)
- Other duties as assigned.
Who You Are
If you’re a good fit for this position, you already know most of what this job entails. However, to be sure we’re providing a complete picture, here are some competencies that are a must :
- Managing through systems: Ability to design and improve processes for consistency, scalability and clarity.
- Project Management: Skilled at juggling multiple projects and stakeholders access teams and time zones.
- Data Fluency: Comfortable using, interpreting and sharing evaluation and engagement data to support decision making.
- Collaboration & Communication: Clear communicator who can build bridges between regional and HQ teams.
Required Skills & Experience
- At least 3 years of relevant work experience, preferably in nonprofit operations, program administration or cross-functional coordination roles, preferably in education/school/youth dev services industry.
- College degree or similar combination of experience and education preferred
- Superior organizational skills, with strong follow through on details and conceptual ability to see the big picture (align with strategic objectives)
- Solid supervisory, project management and external partner/client management experience.
- Strong presentation and communication skills both verbally and in writing with experience communicating effectively with broad and diverse audience
- Excellent interpersonal skills with consistent customer service orientation and professional approach. Experience interacting with a broad and diverse range of individuals including executives, business leaders, coworkers, students and teachers from a variety of cultures and backgrounds.
- Demonstrated database management skills.
- Advanced computer skills, especially Google Suite, with ability to learn new technology quickly. Prior experience in Salesforce and Qualtrics is a plus.
- Ability to problem solve, set priorities, adapt to changing needs and juggle competing demands effectively
- A self-starter, with a drive for continuous learning and has experience in taking initiative and working effectively with minimal supervision
- Thrive in fast-paced, diverse and changing work environment and in a workplace culture committed to core values of respect, community and play
Other things you need to know:
- This position may require travel to various regional locations.
- If a Playworks employee is required to drive a vehicle for work related purposes (not commuting purposes) the employee must complete an authorization form and provide us with evidence of valid, current driver’s license and proof of liability/collision/property damage insurance with minimum coverage of $50,000 each accident/ $100,000 each occurrence.
- Typical Physical & Mental Demands: Requires prolonged sitting with some bending, stooping and stretching, and eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity sufficient to operate a keyboard, telephone, photocopier, calculator and other office equipment. Also requires flexibility to readily adapt to a changing environment.
Compensation & Benefits:
- This is a full-time, salaried, exempt position.
- At Playworks, our starting salary takes into consideration internal pay equity, geographic pay differential, and robust external market data. We highly value transparency and equity within compensation and, therefore, are committed to adhering to established compensation pay points. The starting salary for this position is $58,900.
- A comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, disability, 401(k) plans with employer match of up to 1% of salary, life insurance, employee-funded pre-tax health, and child care spending accounts.
- Generous Flex PTO policy, paid sick and holiday leave
TO APPLY
Please submit (1) a resume and (2) a cover letter describing your interest in Playworks and how your experience has prepared you for this role
ABOUT US, at Playworks we believe in the power of play to bring out the best in every kid. We create a place for every kid on the playground to get active, build valuable skills, connect, and have fun. We partner with schools, districts, and after-school programs to provide a service or mix of services, including on-site coaches, professional training for school staff who support recess, and consultative partnerships.
As an equal opportunity program, Playworks encourages applications from all individuals regardless of age, gender, gender identity/expression, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, faith, marital status, physical ability, or any other legally protected basis. Playworks evaluates all candidates for employment, volunteering opportunities or board service on a merit basis.
