Why Equity Now Equity Now, Inc. is a non-profit organization that was founded in 2017 to expedite change focused on discovering, planning, and implementing innovative solutions for pathways of building equity through Early and Post-Secondary Education, Financial Education, Social-Emotional Learning & Academic Development, and Agricultural & Sustainability Education.
The organization provides comprehensive education management services and is the Charter Management Organization for Legends Charter School.
Our vision is to globally seed strategy, resources, and love to make tomorrow better for children, families, and communities.
We are looking for a leader with a shared vision, values, passion, and urgency to create impact to join our team!
Position Summary The Senior Executive Director of Operations, Finance & Administration will serve as a strategic leader overseeing all finance and administrative functions of Equity Now, including Operations, Technology, Finance, Institutional Effectiveness, and Human Resources. The person in this role will leverage their deep commitment to the mission and values of Equity Now and lead efforts to optimize quality, efficiency, and continuous improvement within the functions they lead. This role will require a balance of strategic foresight and tactical, operational oversight simultaneously to ensure our ability to function as an exemplary Charter Management Organization.
How you will help us create Equity Now: The person in this role will have multiple impacts across our organization. The primary/essential functions of the role include and are not limited to:
Strategic Leadership In partnership with the Equity Now CEO will:
Set vision and strategy for all functions under the purview of this role that reflect best practices for continuous improvement, system design, and business acumen/best practice
Drive buy-in for decisions and align staff to decisions to support effective implementation and desired impacts
Design and plan the work and organization of the Operations and Finance teams for Equity Now
Operations & Technology
Provide leadership and supervision to existing operations and technology staff. Is accountable for ensuring all operational needs including but not limited to security and safety and other services provided to our affiliated charter school reflect the quality of delivery demanded for its students and staff
Accountable for procurement processes for all services including vendor management for IT, Security, and other partnerships
Ensures operations system is designed to include habitual documentation and review of standard operating procedures, audits, checks and balances to create an efficient, effective, and legendary service level
Ensures compliance with all contractual requirements of partnering school Districts, including but not limited to Conflicts of Interest and other contract conditions
Finance & Administration
Accountable for strategic priorities related to fiscal stewardship, including compliance with policies and regulations and maintaining fiscal management by delivering best-in-class policies, procedures, and functions
Plans, prepares, controls, forecasts, and monitors the organization's budgets, including managing the financial needs of Legends Charter School
Provides thought leadership to CEO and Board to ensure the financial standing of Equity Now provides a foundation for its future growth, student impact goals and objectives
Ensures attainment of efficient and economic performance in relation to financial performance/goals
Responsible for strategic financial planning/budgeting for Equity Now and affiliate organizations
Leads all efforts related to the management of bonds, endowments, donations, venture funds, and other financial tools to support the achievement of the organization's mission
Manages all corporate accounting, bookkeeping, external and internal reporting needs
Provides oversight for the Human Resources function for Equity Now
Reporting Structure and Supervisory Responsibilities: This position reports to the CEO of Equity Now. The person in this role will lead a team of direct reports (approximately 4 team members) that manage and contribute to our Operations, Human Resources, Institutional Effectiveness and Technology solutions. This includes oversight of all outsourced functions and efforts to effectively manage contractor/vendor relationships.
Key Stakeholders & Collaborators: Chief Executive Officer, Legends Charter School Board of Directors, Equity Now Development Officer, Equity Now
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities) Knowledge
Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Engineering, or a related field. An advanced degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration is strongly preferred. An active CPA license is desirable but not required.
Knowledge in managing finances of 501(c)3 organizations
Knowledge in managing charter school, traditional public school, and or school finances preferred
Skills
At least 10 years of financial/accounting and business management experience, preferably in a non-profit, government, or education-based setting. Prior experience in organizations with revenue sources that include grants and/or donations is strongly desired.
Skilled in creating clear and compelling financial reports for C-Suite, Executive leadership, and Board members
Advanced project management skills with the ability to prioritize efforts to ensure an ability for functions to operate proactively versus reactively
Systems thinking and design with demonstrated ability to design and implement internal processes and procedures that generate the desired outcomes
Abilities
Establishing Relationships – proven ability to build networks, relationships, and alliances with internal and external stakeholders to support work achievement and desired outcomes.
Emotional Intelligence – proven ability to consistently demonstrate self-leadership, awareness, and regulation. Can demonstrate adaptability, empathy, and social skills required to lead others toward a common goal.
Acting with Integrity – proven ability to consistently act in a way that ensures confidence in individual and organizational values and representations. Models ethical behaviors for all stakeholders.
Acting Strategically – Demonstrated ability to build and implement a shared vision that aligns with the organization's vision, strategic plan, mission, and values. Proven ability to identify talents, prioritize and align resources based on the strategic efforts of the organization.
Work Environment & Physical Demands This position will be based out of our office located in Lanham, Maryland. This is a full-time position that requires working in person at our office.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.
Application Process
Qualified and interested candidates are encouraged to submit applications by March 10, 2023. Equity Now has retained The Setser Group to conduct this search. Candidates should expect to receive communications and interact with representatives from The Setser Group throughout the application process. This interview process will be a four step process for qualified candidates that will include virtual and in person interviews as well as a written response to three questions intended to asses knowledge, skills and abilities.
