Title: Director of Operations

Status: Full Time, exempt

About The Narrative Project:

The Narrative Project is Connecticut’s only anti-racist communications agency, focused on equity, oriented to justice, and dedicated to providing high-quality public relations and full-service communications for mission-driven organizations. Through socially responsible communications consulting, The Narrative Project helps emerging and established mission-driven organizations reach their diverse publics, build their image, further their mission, and achieve their goals.

We don’t have clients at The Narrative Project. We have partners.

Traditional consulting relationships are far too transactional. They don’t require the agency to understand the client’s audiences or stakeholders at a basic level; they don’t necessitate developing a true relationship between the client and consultant, and they lend themselves to the mistreatment of the consultant or a lack of work/life balance resulting in burnout.

We call the organizations we serve Partners, not clients​​ because 1) we work exclusively with mission-aligned organizations, 2) we take a collaborative approach to communications management, and 3) we expect our partners to adhere to our core values of community care when working with our team.

The Narrative Project is a young start-up committed to social change public relations. The agency started as a conversation platform in 2015, working collaboratively to improve individual and organizational race relations and normalize all intersections of identity. In 2019, TNP solidified itself as a socially responsible public relations agency, offering affordable communications consulting to non-profit and mission-driven organizations throughout the state. In just three years, the agency has grown to host 15 staff, and a portfolio of more than 30 partner organizations. As a start-up, TNP requires the leadership of a seasoned operations professional to support the company’s next phase of growth.

Job Description:

We are looking for an experienced and efficient Director of Operations to lead and oversee our organization’s operations and procedures. The Director of Operations will be responsible for the efficiency of the agency and business, administering, managing and improving systems that connect The Narrative Project’s three departments and support the entire staff. The Director of Operations will be a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, reporting to the Founder & President on all matters of operational importance. The position will be responsible for maintaining control of diverse business operations, including systems management, office management, financial management, business development, partner relations, and talent.

The goal of the Director of Operations position is to secure the functionality of the business to drive extensive and sustainable growth. This includes but is not necessarily limited to: scaling The Narrative Project to a total of 4-5 markets; working with the Founder & President to secure a sustainable portfolio of partners for each new market; building and implementing new campaigns proprietary to The Narrative Project; advising the Founder & President on best practices for business growth; designing and implementing diversity practices that set The Narrative Project apart from the work of other social change agencies; and supporting the work to solidify our national brand.

We’re looking for a self-starter who knows how to organize a team, provide inspired, hands-on leadership, improve company processes, advise our Founder & President, implement best practices for partner relations, price retainer models, create financial plans, minimize bloat, norm our practices within public relations industry standards, improve our commitment to anti-racist and anti-capitalist practices, and establish our agency in the field.

The Narrative Project is an Equal Opportunity Employer, actively working to infuse equity and anti-racism into all aspects of our approach, partner relations and work culture. People of color, members of the LGBTQIA community, people with disabilities and women are strongly encouraged to apply. We’re committed to building and nurturing a diverse and inclusive staff and work culture that invests in life-long learning, and believe that success is driven by hiring and retaining qualified, purpose-driven individuals from a spectrum of backgrounds, experiences, identities and orientations.

Responsibilities:

• Systems Management
• Design and implement best practices and standard operating procedures for business operations that promote company culture, vision, and efficiency across departments.
• Lead strategic initiatives to improve scalability, agility, and efficiency.
• Oversee the daily operations of the company and the work of executives.
• Manage company website and brand.

• Office Management
• Create and maintain systems that ensure workplace efficiency, literacy and high morale across departments, including software/tech, A/V equipment, office supplies, kitchen and bathroom inventory, office improvements, and repairs.
• Plan and host TNP events on and off site.

• Financial Management
• Oversee budgets, financial trajectories, and planning for the company, setting comprehensive goals for performance and growth.
• Participate in expansion activities (investments, acquisitions, corporate alliances etc.).
• Design and implement business strategies, plans, and procedures.
• Develop and implement successful marketing strategies.
• Manage invoicing, reconciliation, and P&L, providing reports and recommendations on each, and generating financial reports to inform the work of the Senior Leadership Team.

• Business Development and Partner Relations
• Assist the President in fundraising ventures – business development and acquisition.
• Serve as the first point of contact for incoming calls and in-person visits to The Narrative Project office, receiving, welcoming and directing conversations as needed.
• Ensure excellence in the partner onboarding and offboarding experience through the administration of business practices that create the high levels of efficiency and satisfaction.

• Talent
• Evaluate employee and company performance by analyzing and interpreting data and metrics.
• Support TNP’s talent acquisition, training and recruitment standards.
• Support employee productivity, training, and personal/career growth.

• Additional operations and talent support as needed

Qualifications:

• Reports to: Founder & President
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, business administration, management, human resources, or organizational leadership preferred
• MBA or Masters in Business, Finance, Operations Management, or Executive Leadership preferred
• At least 5 years of experience with communications or public relations.
• At least 10 years of work experience in a related field, leadership role, or some combination of the aforementioned
• SHRM certification preferred
• Demonstrated experience scaling and growing a company
• Understanding of social justice and anti-racist culture
• Ability to work in a startup culture and be flexible
• Experience in management, operations, and leadership
• Understanding of general finance and budgeting, including profit and loss, balance sheet and cash-flow management
• Ability to build relationships among managers, partners, and employees
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to operate with a no-ego mindset
• Reliable team-first player
• Ability to lead by example and foster high staff morale and a culture of excellent performance.

Benefits:

• Health Insurance Match
• Dental Insurance Match
• Vision Insurance Match
• Self-Managed Time Off
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Family Leave
• Flexible Work Schedule
• Commuter Stipend
• 401(k) Matching

Hybrid Work Schedule:

Based on the collaborative nature of our work, TNP observes a hybrid work schedule. We work in the office on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and remote onTuesdays and Thursdays.

To Apply:

Submit a resume and cover letter explaining your interest in mission-driven, change communications and how you adopt the ideals of antiracism to operations@narrative-project.com. Include Director of Operations in the subject line. Please include your social media handles, LinkedIn account, and a portfolio of relevant writing samples.

This position offers room to grow and is an exciting opportunity for a mid-career professional with an interest in joining a purpose-driven scaling team.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $70,000.00 - $85,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• Strategic planning: 5 years (Preferred)
• Public relations: 5 years (Preferred)
• Operations management: 5 years (Required)
• Financial planning: 5 years (Required)

Work Location: In person