Start Early 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 inclusive 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 Operations Manager will support priority operations initiatives aimed at ensuring staff can operate with ease, efficiency, and effectiveness. This position will play an integral role in managing the day-to-day workflow of the Early Head Start Networks team’s priorities while coaching the admin team on project, change, and process management capabilities.

Reporting to the Chief of Staff you will:

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Process Monitoring & Governance: Collaborates with EHSN leadership to assess and improve the efficiency and quality of systems for managing organizational processes and day-to-day work (e.g. work plans, calendars, file management systems, etc.)
• Project Delivery: Support EHSN initiatives as assigned, partnering with Chief of Staff, PMO and content experts to translate the vision of a project into implementation steps and support the execution of work plans. Develop and maintain a deep understanding of the key tasks, milestones, and deliverables on assigned projects.
• Enterprise Operations Support: Manage the workflow of Operations priorities, tracking progress and ensuring timely delivery and high quality of deliverables. Support Operations leadership to create and manage an Operations calendar. Partner with Operations leadership to support the day-to-day work of the organizational Operations Table.
• Tool and Technology Optimization: Collaborates with Information Technology colleagues to ensure accessibility and effective use of technology for EHSN team, including Salesforce, Miro, Smartsheet, Resource Management, MS Teams, SharePoint, etc. Provides basic technological support to Operations staff.
• Division Management: Serve as point person for Corporate Operations division-level processes, procedures and ways of working, including case management. Manage division communication channels, calendars, and team events. In collaboration with Operations leadership, partner with internal communications to maintain information shared with staff on Start Early intranet (Homeroom) and share timely Operations updates with staff and leadership.
• Budget, Procurement & Contract Management: Manages Operations procurement, including processing and coding purchases in Start Early’s purchasing system, ensuring adherence to Start Early protocols and procedures, and serving as the liaison to the Start Early Purchasing and Accounts Payable departments. Act as the managerial liaison for Operations consultant contracts; process and maintain contracts and records, manage outsourced vendor work, and monitor consultant contracts to ensure completion of contract requirements. Support Operations leadership in approving expenses and managing the Operations budget.

KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE, AND EDUCATION:

• Education: Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience
• Related Experience: 7 to 10 years of experience in operations
• Training or Competency:

  • 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.

  • Demonstrated timely follow-through and ability to work independently at a rigorous and efficient pace, exercising independent judgment to meet deadlines and budgets, set realistic expectations, prioritize multiple complex assignments, and produce deliverables.

  • Strong interpersonal skills and 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.

  • Ability to process, protect, and exercise discretion in handling confidential and sensitive information and materials in a professional manner.

  • Certified Associate in Project Management or Project Management Professional Certification a plus.

Base Annual Salary: $77,400.00-$90,000.00

Grade:16

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, and 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.