Manager of Operations

About NYC Kids RISE 

The NYC Kids RISE Save for College Program is a universal, community-driven wealth-building platform that expands access to mainstream financial products, puts real financial assets in the hands of families and communities, provides financial education for families and students, and brings schools and neighborhoods together to support all of their children’s futures. NYC Kids RISE is about to start its fifth year of operations in the geographic area of School District 30 in Queens - one of the most diverse school districts in the country - more than 13,000 students (~95% of all First, Second, Third and Fourth Graders) have a NYC Scholarship Account with more than $6M accumulated to date. Based on the success of the pilot, the City recently announced that the Program will be expanding citywide in the Fall 2021.

Through the Program, every student enrolled in a participating NYC public (district or charter) elementary school, starting in kindergarten, automatically receives an NYC Scholarship Account invested in the NY 529 Direct Plan plan with a $100 seed deposit and up to $200 in early rewards. Their families can open and connect their own college savings account (separate from the scholarship account) and start saving their own money in the ways and amounts that make sense for them, building financial capability and stability. At the same time, communities can contribute to groups of these NYC Scholarship Accounts as both a targeted and universal platform for community-driven asset-building in every neighborhood.   By combining seed scholarships, family savings, community investments, and funding streams from every level, the platform can build meaningful assets for public school students. These accounts, and the accompanying program supports, enable families, schools, local organizations, businesses, anchor institutions, financial institutions, philanthropy, and the public sector to work together to build assets in students’ accounts and strengthen social capital by supporting expectations of success across the neighborhood.

Read more about NYC Kids RISE and the Save for College Program and listen to stories from partners who helped build the platform during the pilot phase. Also check out recent articles in Fast Company, the Wall Street Journal and the NYCHA Journal. Read more about NYC Kids RISE theory of change here in a recent report by the Urban Institute. 

Position Summary: 

NYC Kids RISE seeks an entrepreneurial, highly organized, detail-oriented Manager or Operations to play a pivotal role in solidifying and expanding essential organizational infrastructure to support this growth. Reporting to the NYC Kids RISE Chief of Staff for Administration and Finance, the Manager will support six key areas: (1) Financial Management, (2) Human Resources and Performance Management, (3) Overall Operations of the NYC Kids RISE Save for College Program, (4) Information Technology and cyber security operations, (5) Facilities Management, (6) Organizational Compliance with applicable laws and agreements. The ideal candidate will be someone who is passionate about partnering with communities to build wealth and opportunity and who is willing to roll up their sleeves, operate at various levels and with diverse partners, and juggle multiple projects and deadlines. 

Responsibilities will include but not be limited to: 

• Maintain financial systems including accounts payable, budgeting and reporting. 
• Assist with financial analyses, modeling and resource planning process 
• Oversee the procurement and inventory process for equipment, supplies and program related materials; Manage requisite purchase approvals and quality control for ordered goods 
• Liaise with vendors, consultants and other service providers 
• Coordinate annual financial audits and tax filings 
• Manage human resources tasks, including managing payroll, managing staff benefits, tracking staff schedules and time off, maintaining electronic and paper personnel files, including leading the hiring processes of new hires, documentation for on-boarding and tracking performance evaluation of employees 
• Maintain quality IT capabilities and equipment, including relationship and contract with managed IT services firm, technology consultant, and other technology-related vendors; 
• Manage facilities, planning and oversight ensuring ongoing maintenance of quality work spaces and equipment; Assist with facility plans for office reopening needs and to accommodate organization growth ; 
• Support logistics for the execution of various stakeholder engagement events including Families and Schools 
• Support internal and external compliance processes including scheduling, development of training presentations and materials 
• Along with all NYC Kids RISE employees, maintain, and support other staff and volunteers to maintain, strict adherence to NYC Kids RISE data security and privacy policies; remaining vigilant on the ways in which NYC Kids RISE can continue to protect Confidential Information (including Student and Family Data); identify vulnerabilities, and proactively problem solve to improve controls and practices; and 
• Along with all NYC Kids RISE employees, participate and share in the organization’s work to advance racial equity and anti-oppression in the organization’s and program’s operations and practices; proactively identify opportunities to advance the development of an anti-racist organization; share and solicit ongoing feedback and conversations to advance this work. 

Qualifications: 

• Experience: 3-5 years of financial, human resources, compliance or project management experience. Exposure to or previous experience working in organizations in the fields of government, financial institutions, asset building and financial capability, community development, education and/or community organizing a plus.
• Technical: Experience maintaining digital platforms for human resources and financial information, implementing organizational policies based on legal obligations and organizational best practices and supporting IT infrastructure and facilities management via external vendors.
• Communication: Strong interpersonal skills, high levels of emotional intelligence and tendency to identify and amplify strengths in teammates; detail-oriented professional with demonstrated written, verbal, and presentational communication skills for various types of audiences. 
• Project Management: Highly organized with proven ability to work cross-functionally, including ability to track, manage and execute work streams toward completion.
• Strategic Thinking and Problem Solving: Demonstrated ability to consider an issue, identify and anticipate needs and perspectives, propose solutions, elevate when necessary, and incorporate feedback effectively. Excellent research and presentation skills. 
• Collaborative Spirit: Enjoys working as part of a team, but able to work independently; ability to have direct but empathetic conversations with leaders and staff at all levels of the organization; high degree of comfort with change and a fast-paced environment.

Due to COVID-19, the application process for this role will be conducted virtually. The entire team is currently working remotely and depending on the timing of this hire, the Manager of Operations will likely begin this position remotely as well. The office is otherwise based in Long Island City (Queens, NY), and the entire team is expected to return to the office once health conditions allow.

To apply, submit a cover letter and resume and list the name of the position, “Manager of Operations." Salary based on experience.

NYC Kids Rise is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate in employment on the basis of basis of gender, religion, race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, marital status, caregiver status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, military status, unemployed status, or any other characteristic protected by law.