World Savvy is reimaging a different reality for the future of K12 education. A reality where students know more, care more, and do more to contribute to a more peaceful, sustainable, and just world. We can only rise to meet our biggest challenges if our students learn to think through complex problems and design solutions from a global perspective. Problem-solving, comfort with ambiguity, collaboration, empathy, and critical thinking — are all essential tools in today's global knowledge economy. And a big part of educational equity is ensuring all students have access to those tools.

Founded in 2002, World Savvy is a leading national education nonprofit that partners holistically with schools to transform learning environments into inclusive, adaptive, and future-ready schools. Our multi-year Comprehensive School Partnerships are designed collaboratively with school leaders to align with each building’s strategic vision and goals. Our headquarters is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Learn more at www.worldsavvy.org.

Mission: World Savvy educates and engages youth to learn, work, and thrive as responsible global citizens. 

Vision: As the leading provider of global competence education, World Savvy envisions a K-12 education system that prepares all students with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions for success and active engagement in the global community. 

World Savvy is an ambitious organization with big ideas and tenacious growth goals. Our culture is one of optimism, authenticity, levity, and learning. World Savvy is deeply committed to anti-racism, inclusion, and equity in our programming and workplace. As we grow, we will intentionally build a team that reflects the ethnic, racial, and cultural diversity of the students, educators, and communities we serve. World Savvy seeks individuals who are black, indigenous, and people of color to apply. 

OUR VALUES: 

We do the best work possible in service of our mission. 

We believe collaboration is essential. 

We see people as whole human beings. 

We intentionally grow and change. 

We lean into complexity when it’s called for. 

We believe big things are possible, whether that’s our mission or the project on the table. 

We notice and disrupt exclusionary patterns. 

We bring hope, joy, and a sense of aspiration into all that we do.

POSITION SUMMARY:

World Savvy has an ambitious growth plan and is seeking to dramatically accelerate growth over the next decade. We are looking for a mission-focused, seasoned, strategic, and process-minded leader with experience scaling an organization, leading an executive management team, and developing a performance culture among a group of diverse, talented individuals. The COO must be a leader who is able to help others at World Savvy deliver measurable, cost-effective results that make the vision a reality. Importantly, the successful COO will have the skills, sensitivity, and personal confidence to tap into the power that each member of the team brings to this mission. While it is essential that the COO brings efficient and effective systems to increase the productivity of the organization, it is also critical that the team retain the creative spark and innovation that drives the World Savvy model.

Additionally, World Savvy’s Co-Founder and CEO is stepping away from the role after 22 years at World Savvy. The COO will support management of a Co- Founder transition for a period of 6-9 months, helping to ensure systems for institutionalizing knowledge and business continuity are firmly in place and operational.

Schedule: Full time

Salary range: $155,000 - $175,000

FSLA Status: This position is classified as exempt. It is not eligible for overtime pay according to applicable federal and state wage laws.

Work Authorization: Applicants for this position must be legally authorized to work in the United States and must disclose if they require sponsorship for a visa at the time of application or in the future.

Projected Start Date: July 31st, 2024

Location: Minneapolis, MN 

Travel Requirements: Up to 10% which can be local, regional, or, occasionally, national travel.

Work Environment: World Savvy has one office in Minneapolis, MN which is a hybrid work environment. This is a typical co-working office space which can be noisy at times. Noise canceling headphones, privacy booths and conference rooms available for use when quiet or privacy is needed. Work frequently requires a high level of mental effort, with significant interruptions and >50% of work time paying close attention to detail.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Leadership

• Working in partnership with the Co-Founder and CEO and Chief Program Officer, create the organization’s strategic plan and implement new processes and approaches to achieve it.
• Serve as the internal leader of the organization:
  • Coordinate the annual operations plan and budget.
  • Lead the performance management process that measures and evaluates progress against goals for the organization.
  • Provide for all staff a strong day-to-day leadership presence; bridge national and regional operations and support an open-door policy among all staff.
  • Support management of a Co- Founder transition for a period of 6-9 months, helping to ensure systems for institutionalizing knowledge and business continuity are firmly in place and operational.

Internal Communication

• Drive internal communication to staff that creates transparency, builds trust, and supports engagement.
• Own key executive-level meetings - Executive Team, Leadership Team, and quarterly Board Meeting - along with driving the operating cadence for the organization.
• Drive meeting effectiveness and preparedness, ensuring follow-through, and improving how the organization makes its most important decisions.

• Own strategic projects aligned with the CEO’s top priorities, partnering with other senior leaders to deliver results for the organization.

Finance

• Supervise and ensure quality and accuracy of all finance and accounting functions, including budgeting, forecasts, and audits.
• Ensure accuracy and timely delivery of reports to staff, Board, and other key stakeholders.
• Oversee financial strategy and related business initiatives, including financial models and planning for program expansion and organizational growth.
• Oversee and ensure appropriate internal controls and policies.

Human Resources, Organizational Culture

• Lead and oversee full employee life cycle (recruitment, hiring, retention, termination).
• Collaborate with CEO and other relevant staff on organizational culture initiatives; drive organizational culture improvement and employee engagement.
• Oversee payroll processing and related payroll functions.
• Oversee benefits and benefits administration.
• Manage compensation strategy and compensation benchmarking.
• Manage and drive improvement of HR and organizational policies and practices.
• Lead and support annual goal setting and evaluation process.
• Manage employee relations and staff performance issues as necessary.
• Oversee work to support employee morale and foster a positive workplace culture through celebrations, in-person gatherings, retreats, staff meetings, and other means.
• Oversee employee performance and satisfaction tools and programs including but not limited to evaluations, goal setting and professional development.

Insurance, Legal, Compliance

• Manage and oversee agency’s insurance portfolio.
• Lead agency’s relationship with insurance broker(s); collaborate and drive agency insurance and risk mitigation strategy.
• Ensure compliance with applicable local, county, state, and federal laws and regulations, including relevant fees and tax filings.
• Ensure compliance with applicable local, county, state, and federal employment laws and regulations; ensure staff are aware of key employment compliance obligations.
• Consult, as necessary, with outside counsel.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for contracts and contract negotiations.
• Maintain culture of compliance within organization, including oversight and implementation of staff trainings.

Facilities

• Oversee functions and performance of physical office.
• Liaise with Regional Executive Directors on regional office or co-working space as appropriate.
• Serve as the agency’s primary point of contact with lessors, contractors and consultants for capital and/or facilities-related projects.

Information Technology

• Define and implement agency technology strategy to support phones, computers, internet, and other technological needs in our Minneapolis office, and for remote employees.
• Select and manage outsourced IT vendors.
• Ensure agency’s technology portfolio is coherent and works to support employees and their productivity.
• Ensure adequate IT security measures are in place.

Board

• Partner with CEO to collaborate with the board on leading the organization.
• Oversee development and timely delivery of Board reports, presentations, pre-reads, and other materials for Board and Committee meetings.
• Attend and support the Director of Finance as they co-lead the Finance Committee.
• Partner with Board Treasurer on financial oversight of the organization.
• Attend and present at Board meetings (3 times/year).
• Attend and present at Board retreats (1 time/year).
• Attend and offer insight on Ops related matters for: CEO Transition Committee, Executive Committee, Governance Committee, Finance Committee. (Each committee meets quarterly.)

Supervisory Responsibilities

This individual currently supervises 4 staff directly: Director of Finance, HR Manager, Salesforce and IT Administrator, Operations Coordinator (not yet hired). Supervisory responsibilities include:

• Recruit, interview, hire, and train new staff.
• Oversee the daily workflow of the department.
• Provide constructive and timely performance feedback, including annual performance evaluations for direct reports. 
• Actively seek professional development and growth opportunities for staff.
• Handle discipline and termination of employees in accordance with company policy.
• Other duties as assigned.

KEY REQUIREMENTS: 

As a prerequisite, the successful candidate must believe in the core values of World Savvy and be driven by the mission. The candidate should demonstrate a passion for breaking new ground to lead social change. Beyond that, we are seeking a candidate that has proven experience in scaling a multi-site organization and a demonstrated ability to both lead and build the capabilities of a driven, talented, diverse team.

Additional requirements are:

• Results-proven track record of exceeding goals and a bottom-line orientation; evidence of the ability to consistently make good decisions through a combination of analysis, wisdom, experience, and judgment; high level of business acumen including successful P&L management; the ability to balance the delivery of programs against the realities of a budget; and problem-solving, project management, and creative resourcefulness.
• Undergraduate degree required. MBA or similar advanced degree highly desired.

• Core Competencies — thorough understanding of finance, systems, and HR; broad experience with the full range of business functions and systems, including strategic development and planning, budgeting, business analysis, finance, information systems, and human resources, Salesforce and data administration.
• Comfort with Ambiguity and Change – ability to lead and navigate ambiguity and change positively, with a results-oriented approach. Ability to leverage organizational leaders as messengers and communicate change effectively with employees.
• Strategic Vision and Agility – ability to think strategically, anticipate future consequences and trends, and incorporate them into the organizational plan.
• Capacity Building — ability to effectively build organization and staff capacity, developing a top-notch workforce and the processes that ensure the organization runs smoothly.
• Leadership and Organization – exceptional capacity for managing and leading people; a team builder who has experience in scaling up organizations; ability to connect staff both on an individual level and in large groups; capacity to enforce accountability, develop and empower top-notch leaders from the bottom up, lead from the top down, cultivate entrepreneurship, and learn the strengths and weaknesses of the team so as to put people in a position to succeed
• Action Oriented — enjoys working hard and looks for challenges; able to act and react as necessary, even if limited information is available; not afraid to take charge of a situation; can overcome resistance to leadership and take unpopular stands when necessary.

• Effective Communication –synthesize and distill complex concepts into effective messages for internal and external audiences. Proactively identify opportunities to clarify strategy, align stakeholders and build engagement across the organization. Tell the organizational story with clarity, passion, and persuasiveness. Strong and self-sufficient writing and presentation skills. Communicate feedback to staff and peers with candor and kindness, and solicit feedback on oneself with curiosity and openness. Proactively address areas of conflict and foster open dialogue across the organization.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

This position requires the ability to:

• Constantly remain in a stationary position, often sitting for prolonged periods
• Occasionally move about to accomplish tasks or move from one worksite to another
• Constantly communicate with others to exchange accurate information
• Constant use of a computer keyboard and mouse, repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers
• Occasional operation of office equipment, such as printers, copiers, and scanners
• Constant assessment of the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of the work assigned.

APPLYING FOR THE POSITION:

Please apply online at https://worldsavvy.bamboohr.com/careers/67. Please include a resume and a cover letter that addresses your qualifications for the role. If you have questions that would affect your interest in applying, please e-mail jobs@ worldsavvy.org.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EEO STATEMENT:World Savvy is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Equal Employment Opportunity has been, and will continue to be, a fundamental principle at World Savvy, where employment is based upon personal capabilities and qualifications without regard to: age; ancestry; color; creed; domestic violence victim status; gender, gender identity or expression (including transgender status); genetic information; marital status; medical condition; military and veteran status; national origin; physical or mental disability; political affiliation; protected medical leaves (requesting or approved for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act or the California Family Rights Act); race (including traits that are historically associated with race, such as hair texture and protective hairstyles, including braids, locks, and twists); religion; sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions); sexual orientation; status with regard to public assistance; or any other protected categories under applicable federal, state and local law in which World Savvy operates.

A note about World Savvy’s commitment to anti-racism and recruiting:

In the past, we’ve used equity and inclusion language to express our social justice values. Like many organizations, we’ve recognized how passive and ineffective this has been at overcoming the effects of systemic racism that have impacted the workforce for generations. Many things need to change, including the dialogue we have with job seekers. To that end, we share the following:

As we grow, our commitment is to intentionally build a team that reflects the ethnic, racial, and cultural diversity of the students, educators, and communities we serve. We’re seeking individuals who identify as a part of BIPOC communities to apply. We believe these life experiences and perspectives are critical, in particular, to advance our global competence work. At its core, this work is about teaching students to practice empathy, value cultural differences, consider multiple perspectives, and collaboratively problem-solve. In an increasingly divided world, this work is more important than ever, and its continued success hinges on modeling this ourselves by continuously learning and growing.