Start Early (formerly known as the Ounce) is an energized, future-focused organization devoted to providing quality early learning and care across the country.

Our desire to close the opportunity gap and build more equitable early learning experiences for our youngest learners guides everything we do. As a leader in early learning and care, we scale our deep expertise across program, policy and research through partnerships across the country.

We are recruiting individuals who want to join us in this mission and share a commitment to our core values of appreciation & respect, empowerment, diversity, excellence, learning and communication.

Become part of our rewarding, mission-driven culture! We want our employees to feel empowered, motivated, energized, and passionate about the work they do!

The Assistant Director, Operations works closely with the SVP People and Culture, VP People and Culture, Assistant Director of Community Experience, and Assistant Director DEIB to help optimize overall business processes, provide leadership to operations initiatives within the division, and resolve operational issues.

This position is responsible for directing the operations of the P&C, DEIB, and Workplace Community Experience teams, ensuring effective prioritization and coordination of efforts using industry best practices in project management and process improvement.

Reporting to the SVP People and Culture, you will:

• Define, recommend, and implement divisional processes to break down silos, standardize work, and improve operations; establish systems for monitoring and supporting continuous improvement of divisional processes; partner with Corporate Operations leadership to ensure divisional processes are integrated with organizational processes and center the customer experience; partner with the SVP People and Culture, Operations to manage division leadership meetings in alignment to division priorities.
• Communication: Partner with internal communications and teams across division portfolio to streamline and coordinate effective communication across the division and to ensure optimization of key messages with the Board, internal partners, staff and leaders.
• Build and monitor cross divisional mechanisms for Executive, leaders and staff feedback to enhance the overall employee experience
• Provide coaching and mentorship to staff that strives for positive experiences and responds effectively to customer needs; support the team to be innovative, adopt new technologies, and optimize opportunities to drive operational improvements by engaging Assistant Director Community Experience, Assistant Director DEIB and People and Culture Operations and Benefit Manager.
• Lead, advise, and manage assigned operations initiatives; deliver functional expertise to ensure that projects have the necessary resources to deliver on project objectives with a high degree of quality; participate in management and cross-divisional meetings to recommend effective operations strategy for the division.
• Direct the division’s resource management efforts through integration with annual planning and budgeting processes and systems; support division staff and leadership on resource management concepts, practices, and tools
• Design process and systems across division functions, integrated with organizational systems, to support leadership with monitoring and measuring progress on division’s strategic initiatives
• Manage division budgets; advise division leadership on opportunities to reduce costs; provide budget oversight to division leaders and managers as they assist with budget management.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Social Services, Business, or Organizational Management (or related field) required. Master’s degree in social service administration, public administration, business management, education or related field a plus.
• Have 10+ years of relevant professional experience and a proven track record of success in an innovative context and building strong relationships.
• Ability to work in a fast paced and rapidly evolving portfolio management
• Exceptional project management skills with expertise in process improvement and the ability to coach and mentor others in this area
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with ability to interact with senior leaders and staff at all levels of the organization to build rapport and trust quickly and to cultivate and sustain relationships to deliver desired results with joy
• Ability to navigate conflict effectively
• Proven track record supporting staff experience (Human Resources, Facilities from a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging lens and frameworks)
• Strong process improvement skills
• Strong ability to articulate, in both verbal and written communications, complex topics and issues to wide audiences, in a manner which consistently demonstrates respect, concern, and responsiveness.
• Exceptional attention to detail
• Deep commitment in advancing diversity, racial equity, and inclusion into organizational routines and practice.
• Effectively establish and maintain effective relationships with customers and gain their trust and respect.
• Comfort and experience in handling risk and uncertainty to move work forward.

We recognize that few candidates might meet every single piece of knowledge, experience, or education listed here. Research shows that women and people of color, among many other historically excluded groups, are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. Start Early is dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your qualifications don’t perfectly align with everything in the job description, we still encourage you to apply!

Base Annual Salary: $95,000-$105,000

We believe that all employees should be paid fairly and equitably. As of the time of this posting, this is the expected base annual salary range. The base annual salary will be based on a wide range of factors, including skills, qualifications, experience, as well as business needs and limitations.

Our generous benefits plan includes:

Comprehensive Health Plans, Commitment to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, Holistic Wellness Program, Professional Development Program, 401k Contribution, Paid Volunteer Days, 6 months paid parental leave, and much more.

Start Early is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to our core values by creating an inclusive environment for all staff.