Title: Director of Operations

Last Updated: May 2024

FSLA: Exempt

Entity: LUPE (La Unión del Pueblo Entero)

Department: Admin

Reports to: Executive Director

SUMMARY

The Director of Operations directs the design, planning, and implementation of the organization's development programs, policies, and procedures. They will ensure continued growth and success of the organization through strategically designing the organization to accomplish its strategic plan. The Director of Operations is also responsible for creating the strategic culture necessary for the organization to accomplish its strategic objectives.

Provide on-going support and expertise to the Executive Director, assisting them in establishing and meeting or exceeding all set goals, objectives, policies, and procedures for all the organic functions of the organization. The Director of Operations assists the Executive Director and Directors Team to lead the employees to achieve the goals set forth in the strategic plan. Implement management controls and reporting procedures to ensure that they and the management team have up to date situational awareness of all core issues and operating data pertinent to sound decision making. Ensure that the operational policies and procedures of the organization provide for legal and ethical compliance with all regulations, laws, and good operating practices.

ABOUT LA UNIÓN DEL PUEBLO ENTERO

La Unión del Pueblo Entero (LUPE) is a social justice, community-building, membership organization, founded by Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta.

LUPE has a sister organization, LUPE Votes, a separate, but related, nonprofit organization that is exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code. Although LUPE and LUPE Votes share a common goal of supporting immigrants and low-income people in Rio Grande Valley, and nationally, they are separate organizations with their own board of directors and a set of employees at the two organizations, including the person filling this position, share their time between the two organizations. This has no effect on salary or benefits.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Organizational effectiveness

• Provide guidance, counsel, and direction to all personnel in alliance with a strategic plan.
• Ensures that the responsibilities, authority, and accountability of the Management Team are clearly defined and understood.
• Provides direct oversight, supervision, and direction of Data Specialist, Human Resources Generalist, and IT Specialist.
• Ensures that the organizational structure is staffed with competent people and alters and/or modifies it as the organization's strategic direction is modified over time.
• In partnership with the Executive Direction and the Directors Team, establishes quantitative and qualitative metrics, guidelines, and standards in alignment with organizational values by which the organization's efficiency and effectiveness can be evaluated; identifies opportunities for improvement.
• Ensure that all departments function productively and efficiently as a team. Maintains high morale.
• Communicates and explains new directives, policies, or procedures to managers; for major changes, meets with entire operations staff to explain changes, answer questions, and maintain morale.
• Ensures work environments are adequate and safe.
• Ensure the economic viability of the organization through prudent practices and establishing aggressive achievable goals and targets.
• Establish definite goals/targets and objectives.
• Maintain employee morale. Ensure programs are current to further career training and leadership growth. Inspire employee support of organizational objectives.
• Maintain external relationships consistent with the goals, philosophies, and desired image of the organization.
• Supporting the board of directors and the governance committee: managing communications, scheduling, meeting logistics; taking minutes at meetings.
• Maintain and uphold compliance.

2. Organizational planning and administration

• Monitor, guide, and implement measurable goals for the team and develop a comprehensive plan to achieve them, ensuring that the team stays on track and motivated.
• Create quarterly/periodic outcome-based evaluations for departmental programs that include but is not limited to outputs of events with geographical and demographic information and recommendations
• Model and implement based on data-driven decision-making expertise.
• Oversee budgeting and financial planning processes to ensure optimal resource allocation and cost management.
• Track and monitor all expenditures as they pertain to the department budget.
• Create biannual narrative reports with data analysis and review and provide feedback on program budget as needed.
• Collaborate with HR to facilitate recruitment, hiring, and onboarding processes, ensuring top talent acquisition to support the organization's growth.
• Perform mid-year and end-of-year evaluations utilizing a LUPE specific metric to ensure equitable and streamlined evaluations.

3. Manage operations, human resources, and information technology staff

• Manage and coordinate the activities with different departments, fostering a collaborative and high-performance work culture.
• Foster a positive work environment, promoting employee engagement, growth, and development.
• Establish clear performance expectations and employee goals, ensuring alignment with the organization's objectives.
• Conduct regular one-on-one meetings with direct reports to provide feedback, address concerns, and foster professional growth.
• Implement performance management processes, including performance reviews, coaching, and recognition programs.
• Identify and nurture talent within the organization, identifying high-potential employees and creating development plans to enhance their skills and capabilities.
• Ensure compliance with organizational policies, procedures, and applicable employment laws, promoting a fair and inclusive work environment.
• Resolve conflicts and address employee relations issues promptly and professionally, striving to maintain a harmonious and collaborative atmosphere.
• Monitor employee engagement levels and implement strategies to boost morale and job satisfaction.
• Lead by example, promoting a positive and supportive organizational culture that aligns with the organization's values and fosters employee loyalty and retention.
• Identifies potential obstacles and develops contingency plans to mitigate risks and keep the team on track towards its goals.
• Upholds the Director Team Charter values encompassing trust, accountability, honesty, confidentiality, growth mindset, passion, wellness, and Sí Se Puede attitude.

Perform other related duties as assigned.

Nothing in the Job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job description at any time, for any reason.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

A bachelor's degree in business/Administration/Nonprofit Management or a similar degree is preferred. Five years of HR, operations, administration, or organizational policy development experience are also required.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors. Fluency in written and spoken English and Spanish forms is required.

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

The Director of Operations must possess the interpersonal skills necessary to motivate employees, help them reach their highest potential for the organization, and help them achieve their personal goals.

ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS

The Director of Operations must have the insight to examine the operation from a distance , visualize its best operating structure, and communicate that operating structure to the management team and incorporate it into the overall strategic plan.

STRATEGIC

The ability to view the long-range trends and cycles of the business and industry, to see the “big picture.” It requires deciphering and responding to expected and adverse conditions logically and rationally. This position also requires the capacity to understand, pro-actively use, and develop management crisis, by clearly stating requests of and to direct reports.

LEADERSHIP

The Director of Operations provides leadership and direction to the organization for its operation. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Exemplify leadership characteristics and means: see the future, strategize, empower others, delegate authority, encourage risk-taking, establish flexible lines of authority, build on intrinsic motivation, build around values, strive to make change, focus on people and results.
• Lead the operationalizing and implementing the organization’s strategic plan, operations, and visioning process.
• Set long-term goals and objectives, outline overall strategies to achieve them, and ensure that all employees actively support them.
• To recommend any reasonable action necessary to maintain overall health and vitality to increase the organization's growth.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Ability to sit, walk, stand for extended periods, and concentrate intensely on pertinent issues.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Office environment. Work from mobile units and travel throughout the U.S. and as needed to improve, gain, and develop resources for the organization.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

None required.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

The Director of Operations reports directly to the Executive Director/President of La Unión del Pueblo Entero.

Other functions include:

Professional relationships

Public Relations

Industry Contacts

BENEFITS

• $9,000 per year in 100% employer-sponsor healthcare insurance (medical & dental) for the employee, spouse, and children under 26 years old (eligible after 3 months of employment)
• $8,000.00 death insurance
• 401K Plan
• Mileage reimbursement
• 40 hours accrued paid vacation year one; 80 hours accrued paid vacation years 2-8; 120 accrued hours paid after year 8
• 8 hours Personal Time Off a year
• 12 Paid Holidays a year
• 5 Paid Sick Leave days
• Lifemart employee discount
• In-Service Day once per year, organized by LUPE to observe Cesar Chavez Day or self-organized alternative option

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $60,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Ability to Commute:

• San Juan, TX (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• San Juan, TX: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Willingness to travel:

• 25% (Preferred)

Work Location: In person