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Women's
Action to Gain Economic Security (WAGES)
Job Announcement, Posted 10/07/02
General Manager (.5 FTE)
Women’s Action to Gain Economic Security (WAGES) is currently
seeking an experienced business manager to take responsibility for
all aspects of operations, marketing, and finance necessary to establish
a new WAGES’ non-toxic housecleaning cooperative in the East
Bay. WAGES is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the
economic and social well-being of low-income women through cooperative
business ownership. Current work is with Latina immigrants in non-toxic
housecleaning cooperatives developed by WAGES, and involves business
technical assistance, organization-building, education and worker
health advocacy. Existing WAGES cooperatives are located in Silicon
Valley and the San Jose area. In the coming year, we expect to launch
a new non-toxic housecleaning cooperative in the East Bay. WAGES’
central office is in Oakland, California.
Position Summary and Requirements
The General Manager should be a mature professional with a degree
in business administration and a minimum of 3-5 years management
experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
The General Manager will share the financial and governance responsibilities
of ownership of the new enterprise with an operations manager and
the worker-owners responsible for housecleaning. This position requires
- a commitment to WAGES’ mission, and the ability to translate
that mission into action through development of a financially
successful cooperative business
- expertise in business development, marketing and management,
with a strong entrepreneurial approach
- familiarity with worker cooperatives and experience in participatory
management
- fluency in both Spanish and English
- drivers’ license and access to a car
- the ideal candidate for this position will have experience in
the non-toxic cleaning industry or a related field
Building on an existing feasibility study, business plan and community
contacts, the General Manager will oversee business start-up for
a new WAGES housecleaning cooperative, with a target opening date
of May 2003. This business is expected to start with a minimum cleaning
staff of six, as well as a general manager and operations manager.
Initial financing will include loan and equity investments, as well
as a financial subsidy from WAGES. Within three years, this business
will grow to employ more than 40 low-income women as worker-owners
of the cooperative. As the business grows, it will become financially
self-sufficient from WAGES, but continue to benefit from a relationship
with WAGES and other associated cooperatives. The General Manager
will initially join WAGES as a staff member of the non-profit, and
later transition to employment through the housecleaning cooperative,
as a member-owner of the business. In addition, the General Manager
will participate on a governing board to oversee the achievement
of the business and social goals of the cooperative.
Responsibilities
Personnel
- Provide direct supervision to the Operations Manager. Oversee
the hiring, firing and evaluation of all workers.
- Teach and model entrepreneurial skills and an ownership perspective
to all cooperative members
- Nurture commitment and morale within the cooperative
- Coordinate with WAGES to provide worker-owners with on-the-job
training in workplace participation and cooperative ownership
responsibilities
Finance
- Manage the financial resources of the cooperative
- Capitalize the business through loans and equity investments
- Coordinate with WAGES to use non-profit funding to subsidize
business start-up and educational activities
- Develop a plan for generating revenue and containing costs
- Create and oversee a bookkeeping system
- Provide financial reports to worker-owners, board and funders
Marketing
- Implement the marketing plan for the cooperative, with annual
evaluation and revision
- Ensure that the cooperative meets market growth and quality
performance standards
- Implement, evaluate and improve the marketing plan for the cooperative
- Adhere to WAGES Eco-Friendly Cleaning service and product standards
Organizational Development
- Build a strong partnership between the growing business and
WAGES as non-profit sponsor
- Manage growth and expansion of the cooperative
- With WAGES staff, coordinate the work of the cooperative’s
governing board
The General Manager position is half-time, with benefits. Salary
will depend on experience. Please see our web site, www.wagescooperatives.org
for full information on WAGES mission and programs. To apply, submit
a cover letter and resume to [email protected],
listing “GM application” in your subject line, or mail
application materials to WAGES General Manager search, PO Box 71885,
Oakland, CA 94612. No phone calls, please.
WAGES is an Equal Opportunity employer.
Women of color, bilingual and disabled women are encouraged to apply.
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