1. Director of Cooperative Development
Women’s Action to Gain Economic Security (WAGES)
Transforming women’s lives with green jobs
Applications encouraged by 3/15/2011. Position open until filled.
Organization Overview: WAGES seeks an experienced and entrepreneurial senior manager to lead Cooperative Business development during the organization’s next phase of growth. The right candidate is one who excels in collaborative work environments and can lead WAGES training and coaching programs to support co-op managers and co-op members in our green business incubation pipeline. This is a growth opportunity in a team environment that rewards success and is making a difference in hundreds of women’s lives.
WAGES builds worker-owned green businesses that create healthy, dignified jobs for low-income women. WAGES incubates and supports green housecleaning cooperatives, now operating in five Bay Area counties, and we have just completed a strategic expansion plan to spread the benefits of our “triple bottom line” social enterprise model to women throughout the Bay Area and beyond. WAGES is building a team of who want to apply their talents, creativity and proven leadership and management skills to this unique effort. The WAGES model is advancing social justice in a powerful way – green business/green jobs, women’s empowerment, and asset building for low-income families. Our co-op network members are ready to jump to the next level of professionalism, and partners around the country are urging us to share our expertise.
This ambitious endeavor will be led, in significant part, by the new Director of Co-op Development. This position is senior level and is part of WAGES’ management team together with the Executive Director, Director of Operations, and Director of Development. The Director of Co-op Development will supervise 5 or more of WAGES core staff, co-op managers, and key consultants.
Key Responsibilities: The Director of Co-op Development is responsible for:
• The development and growth of new cooperatives through their three-year incubation cycle
• Leading the acceleration of our co-op development efforts – WAGES’ strategic plan for 2011-2013 calls for development of three new Bay Area cooperatives, plus WAGES’ first co-op outside the Bay Area.
• Building on WAGES’ existing model, business plans, and 15 years of experience to strengthen each co-op and put in place resources for expansion beyond the Bay Area
Candidate profile: We are seeking a seasoned manager with solid experience in training and organizational development, sales and customer service, project management, and supervision of teams. Exceptional interpersonal and staff management skills, excellent business instincts, and significant on-the-ground experience working with low-income communities are required. Spanish language fluency, both spoken and written, is essential.
The ideal candidate will have been a mid- to senior-level manager in a business-savvy non-profit and/or for-profit environment and will have knowledge of social enterprise and hybrid models that use business models for social change.
Skills and Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree required; Masters degree with focus on organizational behavior, business or non-profit administration, or similar degree strongly preferred. Degree is not a substitute for experience.
• A minimum of six years in a management position with multiple direct staff reports.
• Demonstrated ability to help diverse teams excel.
• Demonstrated success in program and personnel management, leadership in growing organizations, and ability to be both innovative and rigorous in adhering to standards and models.
• A strong commitment to WAGES’ mission and interest in social enterprise, asset-building, and community development.
• Experience in both for-profit and non-profit experience highly desirable.
• Sales and customer service experience highly desirable.
• Spanish language fluency, both spoken and written, is essential.
Essential Job duties (Other duties may be assigned):
Incubation and Growth of New Cooperatives Approx 40% FTE
• Manage WAGES’ incubation program for cooperatives from business planning and pre-operations through financial independence (3-4 years).
• Supervise and mentor General Managers of incubating cooperatives in participatory management, coaching of worker-owners, business growth, sales, exceptional customer service, and efficient operations. Serve as sounding board for GMs with day-to-day troubleshooting.
• Ensure seamless coordination among members of the cross-disciplinary Development Team for each cooperative (trainers, GMs, co-op business advisors).
• Work with Director of Operations and co-op managers to analyze business performance, prepare contingency plans, and provide troubleshooting if the business is not meeting standards and goals.
Training and Services for Worker-Owners 35%
• Ensure effective on-boarding, training, and evaluation of co-op General Managers, Operations Managers, and other staff.
• Supervise Lead Trainer and support the work of WAGES’ Training Team, including co-op development trainers, Eco-Friendly Cleaning trainers, and Peer Leaders.
• Ensure excellence, continuous quality improvement, and adherence to WAGES’ model, standards and protocols in curriculum and training program for worker-owners.
• Oversee development of new services and program offerings for worker-owners that will deepen the impact of their participation in WAGES’ programs. These will include asset building and financial literacy programs, effective social service referrals, and English language learning opportunities.
Cooperative Culture and Sustainability 15%
• Cultivate a healthy organizational culture within the cooperatives and among cooperative members in areas including: membership and human resources processes, worker-ownership, workplace participation, constructive communication, customer service orientation, and operational excellence.
• Ensure successful training, management leadership, and support from all stakeholders for fostering constructive communication, respect, accountability, and mutual support in the co-ops.
• Design and implement organizational development interventions at cooperatives, when needed.
Management and Planning 10%
• Directly supervise key program staff, including general managers of incubating cooperatives and cooperative development trainers, and oversee the work of program consultants.
• Lead program staff in developing workplans and timelines for cooperative incubation, community outreach, and member recruitment and training.
• Mentor and develop staff; set measurable goals, advise as needed, and measure success.
• Utilize dashboards and other methods to track metrics and program outcomes.
• Play a leadership role in strategic planning and model development.
• Participate in WAGES’ fundraising and communications efforts.
• Participate in WAGES’ management team.
• Other duties may be assigned.
Compensation and Benefits:
Salary and benefits commensurate with experience. WAGES is an equal opportunity employer and offers a generous benefits package including health, dental, vision and paid vacation.
Generous compensation and benefits package that rewards team work and measurable success.
Join our team to expand worker-owned businesses that transform lives and communities.
To Apply: Submit a resume and thoughtful cover letter, both in Word format, outlining how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of the position and stating how you heard about this opportunity. Email application materials to wages@wagescooperatives.org. Please include "DCD-WW 2011" in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, but the first round of candidate review will begin on March 15th. Position open until filled.
2. Director of Operations
Women’s Action to Gain Economic Security (WAGES)
Skill-level: Senior Level
Position Type: Full-Time Exempt
Location: This position is based in WAGES’ headquarters in Oakland, California and requires local travel throughout the Bay Area region to WAGES’ multiple cooperative sites.
Position Overview: Reporting to the Executive Director and serving as a member of the senior management team, the Director of Operations is responsible for optimizing WAGES’ operations and our technical assistance and shared business services for the worker-owned businesses in our network. S/he will bear primary responsibility for identifying and implementing strategies that will promote excellent financial stewardship and efficient daily operations at both WAGES and the cooperatives and enable us to achieve economies of scale for the launch and growth of multiple cooperatives. Initially, three to five staff positions, plus consultants, will report to the Director of Operations.
We are seeking a seasoned manager with solid experience in business and operations management, project management, and supervision of teams. Strong financial management and analytical skills and exceptional interpersonal and staff management skills are required. The ideal candidate will have been a mid- to senior-level manager in both for-profit and non-profit environments and will have experience with all aspects s/he will be overseeing: finance, technology, legal/contracts, insurance, facilities, human resources, and performance management.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
WAGES Operations
• Define new operational metrics and processes for continuous improvement and scalability.
• Oversee budgeting, bookkeeping and fiscal cycles; ensure compliance with GAAP standards.
• Oversee human resources: hiring, staffing and termination processes, updated job descriptions, policies, and operations manuals.
• Oversee payroll (outside administrator), and all insurance and benefits programs including selecting vendors, enrollment and ongoing administration.
• Oversee technology & equipment purchases and maintenance, coordinating and prioritizing work with Information Technology (IT) consultants/contractors.
Technical Assistance for Incubating Cooperatives
• Provide and/or oversee technical assistance to incubating cooperatives including: business planning and start-up, business finances/analytics, annual budget appropriations, tax preparation processes, operational systems, legal structure and contracts.
• Document and update all processes; recommend new strategies for business efficiency, profitability, and excellence in customer service.
• Analyze business performance, prepare contingency plans, and provide troubleshooting if the business is not meeting standards and goals.
Business Standards and Services through Co-op Network
• Support and oversee application of business standards and provision of Shared Business Services through our Co-op Network (the Network governs member commitments to service areas, Eco-Friendly Cleaning and other standards and provides a framework for common operational systems, joint marketing and purchasing, shared services and training).
• Update and develop templates and best practices for cooperative by-laws, personnel policies, financial management protocols and other technical documents.
• Develop new Shared Business Services program and systems for marketing, purchasing, benefits administration, peer training, and/or other areas.
• Protect WAGES market niche, service area agreements, and trademarks.
Management and Planning
• Supervise staff including WAGES’ Finance and Administration Manager, Co-op Network Manager, Co-op Business Advisors, and launch team leaders.
• Mentor and develop staff; set measurable goals, advise as needed and measure success.
• Oversee selection and quality assurance of work done by technical consultants and vendors.
• Utilize dashboards and other methods to track metrics and program outcomes.
• Play a leadership role in strategic planning and model development.
• Participate in WAGES’ fundraising and communications efforts.
• Participate in WAGES’ management team.
Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree required; MBA, MPP or similar degree strongly preferred. Degree is not a substitute for experience.
• A minimum of six years in a management position with multiple direct staff reports.
• Demonstrated success in a leadership role responsible for finance, legal compliance, operations, and/or human resources.
• Demonstrable experience in business management, scaling, and the assessment of deliverables.
• A strong commitment to WAGES’ mission and interest in social enterprise, asset-building, and community development.
• Experience in both for-profit and non-profit experience highly desirable.
• Proven track record of creating and implementing innovative solutions to meet organizational needs; ability to bring creativity and collaboration to operations and financial processes.
• Substantial knowledge of financial planning and management practices, internal controls for multiple business lines, and performance reporting/management.
• Significant management skills including team building and staff supervision and development; ability to guide colleagues, senior management, and board members around business management functions.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Strategic, analytical approach combined with strong interpersonal skills, maturity, professionalism, and integrity.
• Extreme flexibility, with a strong work ethic and an entrepreneurial spirit to accommodate high level of responsibility and multiple priorities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and financial management software required. Proficiency with Macs desired.
• Ability to multi-task and provide consistent high attention to detail.
• Spanish language skills are highly desirable.
Compensation and Benefits
Salary and benefits commensurate with experience. WAGES is an equal opportunity employer and offers a generous benefits package including health, dental, vision and paid vacation.
To Apply: Submit a resume and thoughtful cover letter, both in Word format, outlining how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of the position and stating how you heard about this opportunity. Email application materials to wages@wagescooperatives.org with "DO-WW 2011" in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Position open until filled.