We are seeking a Director of Summer Training Operations to lead the behind-the-scenes work of setting up a safe, welcoming, productive and empowering learning environment for our corps members, staff and students.
Summer Training is a six-and-a-half-week program designed to position our summer school students and our newest corps members as leaders and learners as they enter the school year. We approach this with a keen focus on integration (prioritizing content-specific training, classroom culture, and teaching as social justice), exposure to models, rehearsal and reflection as the path to internalization and development, and building a hunger in our teachers to drive their own growth. This is a tall order in such a short time period, and it requires not only smooth and professional operations to support programming, but also approaching operations as a way to build corps culture and empowerment.
The Director of Summer Training Operations will be charged with managing our corps member living, transportation and stipend models, school logistics and district processing, corps and staff event logistics, risk and compliance, and the management of the Summer Training operations team, which includes hiring, onboarding, and ongoing coaching of seasonal staff roles. As the Director of Summer Training Operations is a member of the Experience, Culture and Leadership team, they may also engage in the larger work of our program continuum design and execution so that he or she is plugged into the experience our members have outside of Summer Training.
The ideal candidate will have a deep passion for the often behind-the-scenes work of operations, is thrilled by the connection between logistics and strong culture, and is a source of calm and sound judgment to those around them.
The Director of Summer Training Operations will report to the Managing Director of Summer Training and Operations and will sit on the Corps Member Leadership team.
In Partnership, Set and Execute Vision for Regional Summer Training Operation and Logistics (65%)
- In line with the overall vision for Summer Training, set and hold a compelling vision and direction for the operations and logistics of Summer Training
- Develop and lead strong operational plans for lodging and food, transportation, communication, and resource management including securing the partners, contracts and logistics as necessary
- Find, negotiate and manage event space for group experiences. Lead on corps member and staff event logistics through the Summer Training experience.
- Ensure that our summer school partners help to shape our program by leading our school partner and district partner contract process and designing school logistics to support corps members, students and staff
- Design and manage or delegate all other corps facing operations, including summer stipends, material resources, meals during sessions, etc.
- In partnership with our regional Director, Finance and Compliance, develop systems that ensure compliance with state, federal and individual grant compliance. Ensure our corps members and staff are in compliance with organizational and district policies and expectations. In conjunction with the MD, Summer Training, set and steward the Summer Training budget, the largest single budget within our regional team
- Establish and manage all teacher, student and staff resources, so that our people have the materials they need to teach and learn
- Manage staff-facing communication systems and structures during the spring to ensure a strong, unified team rooted in our vision and values
- Create and implement emergency response resources and tools in collaboration with various internal teams
Recruit, Hire, Train and Manage Part-Time Operational Staff (20%)
- Alongside regional Managing Director, Summer Training and Managing Director, Talent Strategy, and our National Support partners assemble a strong summer operations team and ensure direct reports are maximizing their individual potential, reaching identified outcomes, leading through their collective responsibility, and (for managers) leading as organizational leaders
- Support the execution and logistics of interviews and hiring across all Summer Training roles (coordinating interview dates and times, communicating with candidates, managing the flow of hiring paperwork, etc.)
- Operate as a cultural leader by creating a strong part-time summer operations team culture rooted in our core values and reflective of our commitment to diversity, inclusiveness, and equity
- Build capacity of summer operations staff through the design and execution of strong onboarding, training, and evaluation
- Manage up and laterally to ensure colleagues are executing towards various components of your operations vision of excellence
Team Responsibilities (5%)
- Collaborate with the entire Program team to identify and define the member arc of experience
- Prepare for and lead check-ins with your manager around progress toward your goals and your ongoing development
- Collaborate with and support your Program colleagues’ work and development
Collective Responsibility Regional Projects (10%)
- Fulfill foundational responsibilities that allow our region to do our work, make decisions, grow as professionals, and strengthen our team culture, including but not limited to attending regional meetings, operating with our Core Values and commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness, completing our performance management cycle, and upholding our data management, office operations, and fiscal responsibilities
- Make a direct impact on the organizational mission of enlisting, developing and mobilizing leaders to strengthen the movement for educational equity by participating in selection (6-10 days total plus preparation and close out time), matriculation (up to six windows across the year), regional recruitment activity, member facing events (including Leadership Summits and Summer Training), our alumni giving campaign, alumni survey, and at least one regional or national committee/working group, and other initiatives that impact our members and partners
- At least 5+ years of work experience with at least 1 year of managing large-scale events
- Previous experience with project management and budget management is strongly preferred
- Proven success in creating and managing operational systems and large scale, detail-driven projects
- Ability to prioritize and juggle multiple projects at once using a sound decision making process
- Exceptional ability to set vision and direction while also having a strong attention to all the little details that go into executing a vision
- Strength in cultivating partnerships and building shared purpose across organizational lines
- Strength in managing team execution and coaching others
- Ability to add calm and thoughtfulness in stressful situations
- Perseverance, fortitude and creativity in the face of challenges
- Belief in and passion for operations as a path toward building a trusting, professional and empowering culture
- An unwavering commitment to driving one’s own personal and professional alignment / work and life balance
- Expertise with Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Google Docs
Work Demands
- Some weekend and evening work required (1-3 days/evenings a month from January through May)
- During the Summer Training program (mid-June through end of July), ability to be “on call” to help with emergencies that may arise outside of program hours (evenings and weekends)
- Ability to transport and set up materials (up to 50 pounds)
- Ability to travel and work on-site at various schools throughout Chicago-Northwest Indiana throughout the summer
By joining staff, you join a network of individuals committed to pursuing equity for all students and developing themselves as professionals in the process. We as an organization value the longevity of our employees and offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits plan. The salary for this position is also competitive and depends on your prior work experience. Please be advised, you will have an opportunity to discuss salary in more detail after you begin the application process.