Associate Director, Digital Operations

Title: Associate Director, Digital Operations

Reports To: Director, Digital Operations

Location: US Home-Based Office (Hybrid)

Status: Full Time; Exempt

Start Date: Immediate

Facing History and Ourselves is a global education non-profit organization that challenges teachers and students to use lessons of history to stand up to bigotry and hate. 

We are seeking an experienced and highly skilled Associate Director, Digital Operations to join our growing Technology team and manage our digital operations and support services functions.  

The Associate Director, Digital Operations will lead planning and delivery of the team’s operational portfolio ensuring that our digital programs, systems and processes are managed efficiently and effectively. The Associate Director, Digital Operations is responsible for developing, organizing, implementing and communicating operational processes and procedures and will facilitate successful projects, programs, team management, and continuous improvement across the Digital Operations team. Additionally, the Associate Director, Digital Operations will be responsible for annual planning, budgeting and maintenance of vendor and contract management in collaboration with the Director, Digital Operations.

Who You Are: You are an experienced and highly motivated operations or program management leader with a proven track record of driving operational excellence. Your creativity and ability to think outside the box enable you to develop and implement creative and thoughtful solutions to complex problems. You possess a strong sense of empathy which allows you to build strong relationships with team members, stakeholders, and vendors. Your relationship-driven approach ensures that projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the satisfaction of all participants involved. You are an expert in operational processes and procedures, with the ability to develop, organize, and implement highly successful operational processes and procedures. Your leadership and team management skills are second to none, providing direction, coaching, and mentoring to ensure the success of individual team members and the team.

Specific Responsibilities Include: 

Digital Operations and Management (90%) 

Develop and manage operational processes and procedures across the Digital Operations team to ensure efficient and effective project program management.
Ensure the timely and successful delivery of projects and programs according to stakeholder needs and objectives.
Conceptualize and develop programs and frameworks that support operational excellence and facilitate transparency, continuous prioritization and optimization.
Develop, maintain and communicate project schedules and timelines to team members and stakeholders.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify and resolve project-related issues and risks.
Monitor project progress and ensure all deadlines are met.
Implement and manage project management tools and software to streamline processes and procedures.
Lead and manage the Digital Operations team, providing direction, coaching, and mentoring to ensure individual and team success.
Manage resource allocation, including hiring, training, and development of team members.
Promote a culture of continuous improvement and innovation within the Digital Operations team.
Ensure compliance with industry standards, regulations, and best practices.
Establish and maintain relationships with key stakeholders to ensure successful project outcomes.
Develop and maintain team budgets and financial forecasts in collaboration with the Director, Digital Operations, the Chief Technology Officer and Finance team.
Manage expenditures, variances, and grants reporting in collaboration with the Director, Digital Operations and Chief Technology Officer.
Develop and maintain vendor and contract management procedures in collaboration with Director, Digital Operations, including knowledge management, and relationship management, RFP, NDA, and new vendor intake processes.
Work with the Director, Digital Operations to develop and deliver an operational and communication program framework that supports cross-functional collaboration and transparency including managing program communications, documentation and reporting. 
Support onboarding, training and skill development of personnel, including, but not limited to, supporting Directors with professional development plans, team-wide skill matrix(s) developing best practice documentation and a catalog of training, courses and pathways.  
Manage and mentor several direct reports ranging from Manager to Coordinator-level.

Professional Development  (10%)

Maintain proficiency, obtain certifications, and increase expertise in operations management, project management, program management and nonprofit technology solutions and use cases by attending training, reading industry-relevant resources, attending conferences and more.
Model and nurture professional development plan development and knowledge acquisition and knowledge sharing practices for the team. 
Seek opportunities to submit proposals, join panels, and present our work. 

Community & Commitment

In addition, qualified candidates can expect to:

Engage in special projects and other duties as assigned.
Center principles of equity, inclusion, and belonging in all work, embedding the values in program development, policy application, and organizational practices and processes.
Demonstrate a commitment to the mission of Facing History & Ourselves.
Demonstrate a commitment to diversity using a personal approach that values all individuals and respects differences in regard to race, ethnicity, age, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, disability and socio-economic circumstance.
Demonstrate a commitment to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and/or conflicts.

Essential Skills and Qualities:

Facing History understands that restrictive job requirements may exclude historically marginalized groups from applying to jobs for which they are qualified. We take an equitable and holistic screening approach. If you feel you have demonstrated experience and expertise relevant to perform this role, please don’t hesitate to apply!

5+ years of extensive experience in operations management, project and program management, digital product and technology delivery or other relevant experience where attention to detail, managing priorities, identifying risks, developing solutions and measuring impact are critical.
Excellent communication skills with ability to collaborate and engage effectively across various stakeholder groups, including external partners, vendors, cross-divisional teams.
Proven experience in managing and leading cross-functional teams.
Strong understanding of project management tools, methodologies and techniques.
Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing operational processes and procedures.
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Ability to manage multiple projects and prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment.
Experience in managing budgets and financial forecasting.
Ability to work collaboratively with team members and stakeholders.
Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to effectively liaise with colleagues on all levels in a distributed, and detail-oriented environment (without losing a sense of humor).
Ability to manage multiple simultaneous operational projects in a highly-matrixed environment. 
Adaptability and capacity to deliver solutions in a rapidly changing, dynamic environment with uncertainty and competing demands.
A self-starter, able to demonstrate initiative and proactiveness by working independently with little supervision, being resourceful through collaboration and willing to try and learn.
Ability to communicate and coordinate work effectively with stakeholders and colleagues who hold various priorities.
Resiliency in the face of multiple challenges and blockers.
Outstanding analytic ability, reasoning, intellectual curiosity and emotional intelligence
Top-notch writing, presentation and meeting facilitation skills.

Benefits Summary: In addition to meaningful and rewarding work, Facing History provides an excellent and competitive compensation and benefits package including medical with a health reimbursement account, dental, vision, life & AD&D, long-term & short-term disability insurance, 403(b) retirement plan with a discretionary organizational contribution, generous paid time off, an employee assistance program, travel assistance plan, pre-tax commuter spending accounts, flexible spending accounts, voluntary Colonial Life group plans, robust wellness programs through Welnys TV, aHealthyMe & weekly virtual yoga and meditation, WellCents 403(b) advisement, and a friendly hybrid work environment.

Facing History values a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status and record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

Facing History’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. At Facing History, we honor and value the uniqueness of each and every human being. Our strength as an organization that provides and distributes educational content and pedagogy to teachers across the globe is directly tied to our diversity of staff, leadership, educators, students, scholars, and volunteers. Our commitment is to treat individuals with dignity and to build and maintain a community of full participation, inclusive of the voices, needs, and contributions of all. As an organization, we are deeply aware of the legacies of injustices that persist in society and in the workplace, and we value and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in their association with excellence.  

Hybrid Work Model (For HQ): Facing History and Ourselves operates in a hybrid work model, allowing staff flexibility in both schedules and work locations. This particular position is home-based. Some travel is required.  

Covid Protocol at Facing History: At Facing History and Ourselves, we require all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 including any boosters required to be “up-to-date” per current CDC guidelines. All new employees must provide proof of vaccination on their first day of employment. Requests for medical or religious exemptions should be directed to our Sr. Director, Human Resources.