Flexible, Mid-atlantic region preferred

Senior Officer of Operations and Organizational Effectiveness, SAGE Fund

The Organization

The SAGE Fund (SAGE) is a collaborative fund that seeks to strengthen the human rights accountability of powerful economic actors and address critical gaps in protection created by the global economy. The organization does this work by spurring innovation in partnership with grantees to hold all economic actors, particularly non-state actors, accountable for human rights violations; building knowledge, skills, and leveraging capacity (with a focus on the Global South) to analyze key challenges, fashion strategies in response to those challenges, and mobilize new coalitions and constituencies; and creating greater leverage within the donor and NGO communities by building consensus and an impactful agenda for the field.

Position Overview

The Senior Officer of Operations and Organizational Effectiveness, will report to the Director and will provide leadership and management of the following areas to support SAGE’s continued growth and impact:

Organizational Management and Collaboration

·        Work collaboratively with the Director on strategic decisions, including a vision for staffing and operations and aligning resources and systems for mission.

·        Direct and manage the overall operations of SAGE Fund and ensure efficient and well-functioning operations systems; develop and strengthen systems for human resources, administration, organizational planning, and development.

·        Design and facilitate systems of talent management including hiring & onboarding, team cohesion, and culture building. Set framework, goals, and cadence of staff meetings and staff connection points; support and consistently improve organizational culture in alignment with the organization’s mission and values.

·        Provide leadership and direction to how the organization most effectively leverages IT, databases, and other technology to support knowledge management and decision making for the organization.

·        Play a key leadership role in external events and presentation planning; ensuring effective project management, goals, participants, and process. Lead logistics for SAGE Fund convenings and meetings in virtual or physical space, including space needs, technology needs, travel, budget, visas, and presentations.

Finance and Operational Management

·        Serve as an integral member of the SAGE team with oversight of key financial health metrics, grant and contract analysis and compliance, and reporting and accountability; develop and maintain key financial tools; review, reconcile and confirm accuracy of monthly financials from NVF.

·        Refine organizational systems for generating budgets, financial forecasts, and other financial planning tools to drive sound decision-making, support grant and contract reporting requirements, and build capacity for strategic budgeting and program review and analysis.

·        Conduct financial sustainability planning, budget formulation and execution, grant and contract fiscal management, and other fiscal policy matters; assess, develop, and make recommendations to the Director on organizational financial policies and procedures and the development of systems and practices that will allow SAGE to fully capitalize on opportunities for expansion.

·        Lead SAGE’s partnership with NVF by serving as the primary point of contact and managing the relationship with its NVF account lead. This includes management and coordination of consultants, contacts, procurements, and IT align with both NVF and SAGE policies; and maintain continuity with NVF and advocate for SAGE as needed.

·        Steward the human resources function for SAGE in partnership with NVF, including drafting job descriptions and running hiring processes; annual performance review processes; establishing systems for promotions and staff development.

Strategic Partner and Program Management

·        Support the Director in cultivating and shaping strategic partnerships with other funders and actors in the field as appropriate, including negotiating new opportunities and programs initiatives.

·        Provide follow-up communication and relationship management with strategic partners as needed to develop, support, and maintain partnerships and initiatives.

·        Lead production of proposals and ensure timely, accurate and quality financial and narrative reporting compliance with donors.

·        Working with the Director and consultants, support evaluation and communications efforts to ensure that SAGE is assessing and communicating its impact effectively.

 

QUALIFICATIONS OF THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

While no one candidate will embody all the qualifications enumerated below, the ideal candidate will possess many of the following professional and personal abilities, attributes, and experiences:

  • Eight-plus years’ experience in a management position in a nonprofit organization, foundation, or government agency.
  • Strong operations and financial acumen with knowledge of grants and contract processes and reporting, related financial and compliance matters, and an understanding of online systems that support grantmaking and contract workflows.
  • Experience in financial planning and management and the connection between finance, development, and program management for effective stewardship of resources and fulfillment of mission.
  • Systems and operations leader comfortable building and revising processes and procedures to enhance organizational effectiveness and plan for strategic growth; strategic use of data, forecasting, and planning to support effective growth.
  • Natural collaborator and team orientation with a seasoned professional approach that sees opportunities and solutions while identifying potential risks and areas for rigor and systems improvement; excellent organizational skills, the ability to think logically, and pay close attention to details.
  • Experience leading hiring processes and hiring staff as well as a proven track record of coaching and supporting staff across an organization and regardless of direct reporting lines.
  • Demonstrated qualities of leadership, maturity, and a commitment to positive organizational culture. Excellent communication skills (interpersonal, written, and verbal) that can translate complex topics into helpful information for a variety of audiences.
  • Ability to work with and manage relationships with all of SAGE’s partners – staff, NVF, funders, and other external partners. High level of professionalism and unconditional discretion; ability to handle highly sensitive matters and assure confidentiality at all times.
  • Experience working as an integral member of a team, sharing responsibility, project management, and associated tasks toward the accomplishment of identified goals. Ability to work independently, including appropriately identifying next steps, and in a group setting with confidence and reliability.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office and financial management systems.
  • Proven ability to work with efficiency, flexibility, and good humor. A self-starter with imagination, motivation, and creativity. The ability to stay calm and focused under pressure, meet deadlines, and understand time limitations.
  • A deep passion for SAGE Fund’s mission and impact. Familiarity with global human rights and the Global South a plus.
  • Bachelor’s degree and/or advanced degree in business, management, accounting, organizational management, or related field, or the combined professional experience and certification to be successful in the role.

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS, & WORK LOCATION

Work Location:  Please note: SAGE staff members and partners work across the world. The location for this role is flexible, however, there is a preference for candidates who are based in or open to frequent travel to the US’s Mid-Atlantic Region – mainly Baltimore, MD. For the most highly qualified candidates, remote work locations with limited ability to travel will be considered.

Salary and Benefits:  This is a full-time, exempt position. The salary range for this position is $95,000 – 115,000 and is negotiable depending on experience. SAGE also offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes 100% employer-paid health, dental, and vision insurance; 3% automatic contribution and a 3% employer match on 401(k) contributions; and paid holiday, vacation, sick, and volunteer time off.

HIRING STATEMENT

Strengthening Accountability in the Global Economy (SAGE) is a project of New Venture Fund (NVF), a 501(c)(3) public charity that incubates new and innovative public-interest projects and grant-making programs. NVF is committed to attracting, developing, and retaining exceptional people, and to creating a work environment that is dynamic, rewarding, and enables each of us to realize our potential. NVF’s work environment is safe and open to all employees and partners, respecting the full spectrum of race, color, religious creed, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and all other classifications protected by law in the locality and/or state in which you are working.

COVID-19 POLICY

To center the safety and well-being of its employees, New Venture Fund requires that any employee who is required to conduct in-person activities for their job must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 within four weeks of their start date. This position may require candidates to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Accommodations may be sought and approved in accordance with the law by contacting human resources at: HR@newventurefund.org.

How To Apply

For more information about the SAGE Fund, please visit:  www.sagefundrights.org

This search is being led by Carolyn Ho and Sarah Hecklau of NPAG. Candidates may submit their cover letter, outlining their interest and qualifications, along with their resume via NPAG’s website.

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