Job Opening:  DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Blue Green Alliance and Blue Green Alliance Foundation
Minneapolis, MN

January 27, 2010

Blue Green Alliance

The Blue Green Alliance (BGA) and the Blue Green Alliance Foundation (BGAF) are innovative national partnerships of the United Steelworkers, Sierra Club, Communications Workers of America, Service Employees International Union, Natural Resources Defense Council, Laborers' International Union of North America, Utility Workers Union of America, American Federation of Teachers, and Amalgamated Transit Union - representing 8.3 million people. They are focused on promoting programs and policies that result in the development of the green economy with a special emphasis on:

• global warming solutions that create stable jobs;
• international trade reform;
• worker's rights;
• the promotion of green chemistry to substitute for toxics in the work place and community; and
• training workers to participate in the green economy

The Blue Green Alliance is a 501(c)(4) organization with an estimated budget of $3 million and the Blue Green Alliance Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization with an estimated budget of $4 million. The organizations share offices in Minneapolis and Washington, DC, and have operations in several other U.S. locations.

Job Summary

The organizations seek an experienced, energetic, and personable Director of Operations to work in its Minneapolis, MN Headquarters. A new position, the Director of Operations manages the resources and operations of the two organizations, thereby maintaining fiscal stability, the efficient coordination of programs and fundraising, and the productive functioning of a creative staff. Some travel will be required.

Responsibilities include:

Business and Financial Stability (40%)

• Retain and supervise staff in performance of all financial tasks
• Review and create coherent financial reports and projections for staff and two boards
• Lead/support organizational and program budgeting process
• Manage inter-organizational financial relationship
• Monitor organizational budget performance
• Oversee annual audits
• Monitor cash flow
• Review, document, and monitor accounting practices
• Ensure compliance with all pertinent statues and regulations
• Manage banking relationships and investments
• Oversee letters of agreement, contracts, and leases
• Procure and maintain appropriate insurance
• Ensure the ongoing maintenance and updating of information systems

Program Coordination and Support (25%)

• Serve as first line problem solver for all program activities
• Provide mentoring and training in staff supervision as needed
• Ensure clarity re program mission and goals
• Provide program budgets and monitoring tools to program leaders
• Explore resource acquisition for program requirements
• Coordinate inter-regional information sharing and current content-level issues training

Fundraising Coordination and Support (10%)

• Ensure appropriate staffing and resources for development department
• Serve as central clearing-house for fundraising and sponsorship-seeking activities from partners, corporate supporters, foundations, etc.
• Monitor c3/c4 clarity in all fundraising communications
• Manage program-level fundraising activities to ensure compliance with overall resource acquisition plans for the two organizations

Human Resource Functioning (10%)

• Provide for orientation of new employees
• Maintain secure personnel records
• Ensure current personnel policies
• Oversee administration of employment benefits  
• Maintain appropriate administrative staffing
• Oversee staff professional development, recruitment, hiring,  compensation and retention
• Maintain a positive and open workplace culture

Program and Organization Planning Management  (10%) 

• Lead strategic planning activities at all organizational levels

Internal communications and information facilitation (5%)

• Plan and disseminate agendas for staff meetings and phone conferences
• Facilitate intra-organizational information sharing and communication

Skills and Qualifications Required and Preferred:

• Bachelor's degree at minimum; graduate degree and/or CPA preferred
• 7 years experience in and appetite for financial management of nonprofit or similar organization required, including budgeting, audit preparation, reporting to various boards and agencies. 
• 7 years experience in supervision of staff and management of program functions required.
• Experience in senior management roll in nonprofit, environmental, labor union, or similar organization required.
• Experience with human resource functions required.
• Experience in the interaction between  501(c)(3) and a 501(c)(4)  organizations preferred.
• Commitment to the mission of the organizations is required.

The ideal candidate will:

• Employ clear and effective communication and listening skills
• Have an ability to collaborate with a dynamic set of partners and a creative and committed staff
• Have developed and monitored systems to manage the interaction between operational, programmatic, and legislative work
• Possess personal qualities of integrity and credibility
• Be flexible and able to multi-task
• Enjoy working within a complex, fast-moving environment, while also driving toward clarity and solutions
• Have entrepreneurial instincts
• Have demonstrated resourcefulness in setting priorities and guiding investment in people and systems

Salary: $100,000 - $115,000, DOQ, excellent benefits

How to apply: Please submit a cover letter, your resume, 3 references, an example of a financial report you've created, and a writing sample, to ngaschott@bluegreenalliance.org by 6:00 p.m. CST on March 3, 2010.