Teach For America is seeking a Director of Strategy, Talent, and Operations to provide critical, high level support to the Executive Director and help advance the regional team’s strategic priorities. This individual acts as a deeply trusted thought partner and support execution for the Executive Director in pursuit of her priorities, manages planning and communication with key internal leadership bodies including the board and regional leadership team, leads the development and progress monitoring of strategies for the region, and provides analyses, written materials, and project management for key initiatives. This individual also leads the talent and operations functions of the region through talent planning and direct talent cultivation for regional staff, planning and project management of major organizational strategies, and management of the Director of Operations and Communications.
This position provides an unparalleled opportunity for individuals with superior organizational, critical thinking, communication, and relationship-building skills to help the Executive Director maximize Teach For America's current impact and future growth in this region. Due to the high-stakes nature of this position, the Director of Strategy, Talent, and Operations must demonstrate exceptional judgment, professionalism and poise. This individual serves on the Regional Management Team and reports directly to the Executive Director.
Steward and Facilitate the Impact of Key Organizational Leaders
- Operate with full accountability for the achievement of the regional vision
- Lead the planning, communications, and operations of key internal leadership bodies including regional management team
- In partnership with the Executive Director and Head of Development, develop the Board’s charge, priorities, and set and drive execution for successful quarterly meetings and committee meetings
- Lead and manage execution of board member value for the organization
- Act as a strategic thought partner, project manager, and execution support to the Executive Director, including partnership around the identification of her priorities and strategic alignment of her calendar as needed.
- Support Executive Director in thought partnership related to public affairs and develop and execute collateral for public affairs purposes as needed
- Anticipating and managing the preparation and follow-up needs of meetings and events for the Executive Director
- Balance the competing interests of and liaise with key internal and external stakeholders
Strategy & Impact Analysis
- Drive the process for regional vision setting, strategic planning, talent planning and financial budgeting processes that push forward Teach For America's theory of change in the region and the contextualized vision of TFA – Greater Cleveland
- Research, recommend, develop, and manage cross-functional initiatives that support our goals and vision, working with managers across the region and leveraging national functional teams and external partners
- Plan, coordinate, and execute stepbacks and strategy meetings in support of regional priorities on a quarterly basis
- Synthesize, analyze and manage data from multiple systems to monitor progress across functional teams, provide information to the ED and Regional Management Team in timely and digestible formats that drive decision-making and action.
- Manage and coordinate efforts to redesign metrics for key programmatic and operational areas.
Lead Talent and Operations Function
- Recruiting diverse top level talent to the regional team, retaining said talent, and prioritizing succession planning across the team
- Creating comprehensive performance management plan including processes for hiring, on-boarding, evaluating, supporting improvement and learning and development for staff across the team
- Managing the Director of Operations and Communications who executes many of the operational needs of the team, such as office management, event logistics, and develops and executes our regional communications strategy in partnership with the Regional Communications Managing Director.
Regional Management Team
- Align decisions, actions and priorities to the greater interests of Teach For America – Greater Cleveland.
- Ensure strategic alignment and coordinated execution across functional groups to achieve organizational goals.
- Own and support broader regional and organizational priorities (i.e. help recruit, select, and retain new corps members, support regional alumni initiatives, attend major regional events)
- Serve as a leader for regional culture and collaboration.
- Model a strong commitment to the core values of Teach For America and professional learning and growth, including participation in national training and consulting opportunities.
- Engage in Regional Management Team meetings and other related structures.
- Minimum of three years of professional experience
Work Demands
- Willingness to work some weekends and evenings.
- Ability to travel efficiently across the region and state
- Ability to travel to national conferences or trainings 2-5 times per year
Skills
- Exceptional planning and project management skills, with a keen attention to detail
- Exceptional judgment, strong initiative, and a quick learner
- Ability to be flexible and take an optimistic approach to work with an orientation towards being proactive, solutions-focused and helpful
- Demonstrated cultural competence, critical consciousness, and ability to work across lines of difference
- Poise, confidence, and maturity interacting with key stakeholders, with the ability to build strong relationships and work with people at all levels of the organization
- Highly efficient with the ability to manage a significant volume of diverse tasks, activities, and projects, including both tactical and strategic projects
- Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills, with the ability to synthesize large amounts of data and information
- Strong communication skills, including written communications
- Demonstrates deep commitment to Teach For America’s mission, core values, and our commitment to diversity and inclusiveness while acting as a cultural leader.
- Demonstrated ownership over personal learning and growth with evidence of strong receptiveness to and implementation of feedback.