Senior Director of Operations

Act as the Senior Director of Operations (SDO) and principal operational driver. Report to the Chapter Executive Director (ED) and help guide the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) to achieve the organization’s strategic vision while making the tactical, day-to-day decisions to shape and implement the organization’s growth plans. The SDO will provide leadership to ensure the organization has the proper operational controls and administrative and reporting procedures in place to effectively grow the organization and to ensure financial strength and operating efficiency.

The role is responsible for promoting and modeling the organization's Core Values while serving as a key member of AVANCE's Senior Leadership Team (SLT). This position plays a vital role in guiding the organization toward achieving its strategic vision and implementing its growth plans. Ensuring compliance with Head Start Performance Standards, State Licensing Regulations, Texas Rising Star, and NAEYC (when applicable) is a central part of the role. The individual oversees operations, facilities, and transportation, managing budgets and contract development in collaboration with the Executive Director (ED), Chief Financial Officer (CFO), and other SLT members as needed.

Additionally, this role is responsible for overseeing the agency’s technology needs, which include purchasing, inventory management, and maintaining AVANCE-San Antonio’s Managed Service Contract in coordination with the ED and CFO. The individual assists in negotiating contracts and agreements with government and private funders, ensuring financial and legal reviews are conducted per agency guidelines.

Collaboration is key, especially with the Chief Human Resource Officer (CHRO) and the Risk Manager on the development, review, and execution of contracts for vendors, partners, volunteers, or contractors. This extends to addressing employee safety and health matters, resolving complaints, and ensuring staff complete necessary safety and health training. The position also works closely with the CFO to manage procurement, rental, purchase, and maintenance of buildings, equipment, and supplies for the organization.

The role includes facilities management, ensuring compliance with childcare licensing, Head Start Performance Standards, and internal policies. This involves planning and design for classrooms, playgrounds, and other facilities, as well as maintaining inventory control systems, overseeing physical inventory, and ensuring reporting compliance for the Office of Head Start and other grantors. The results of these operations are evaluated and reported to the ED and SLT.

Engaging with the local community, the individual participates in city, county, and regional initiatives, adhering to the Chapter’s policies and goals. With approval, they may also serve on external boards and committees. Attendance at local, state, and national meetings is required, and the role also includes performing other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, School/Non-Profit Administration, Management/Organization, or related field.

• Master’s degree in Business, School/Non-Profit Administration, Management/Organization, or related field.

• At least seven (7) years of experience in Operations at an upper management level in a non-profit or other related business (school district, early education program, etc.).

• Ten (10) years of experience as defined above.

• Demonstrated take-charge, “by example” leadership abilities to motivate and inspire an organization.
• Proven experience in translating strategy into structured operations, in a high growth environment.
• Organized and detail oriented, with a preference for short and long-term planning and goal setting and with the ability to methodically and successfully execute against plans and goals to drive revenue and control expenses.
• Excellent writing, editing and proofreading skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office software applications with advanced skills using Microsoft Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and Excel, and Adobe Acrobat.
• Demonstrated ability to achieve high performance goals and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organizational skills that reflect ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks seamlessly with excellent attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships with stakeholders, including staff, board members, external partners, and donors.
• Highly resourceful team player, with the ability to be extremely effective independently with the capability of managing numerous simultaneous projects.
• Forward-looking thinker, who actively seeks opportunities and proposes solutions.
• Strong analytical, presentation, verbal and written communication, problem solving and decision-making skills.
• Ability to generate, analyze, evaluate, and summarize reports.
• Must have dependable transportation daily, valid driver’s license, a clean driving record (subject to annual MVR check and policy), current auto liability insurance and be bondable by AVANCE, San Antonio, Inc.

This is not necessarily an all-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts, requirements or working conditions. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned. Nothing in this job description forms or is intended to form a contract of employment. Neither shall the content in this job description be interpreted to conflict with or to eliminate or modify in any way, the “at will” employment status of AVANCE San Antonio employees. Employment remains on an “at-will” basis.

Travel required locally or long-distance up to 30% of the time for work-related meetings and functions.

Computer, computer software programs and peripherals, resource materials and equipment, copier, fax, and other equipment applicable to the position.

General office and sedentary. Regularly required to sit; use hands to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Use of personal computing equipment.

Maintain emotional control under stress; work with interruptions and deadlines; walking, standing, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing; occasional: lifting/carrying, pulling/pushing 10-30 pounds. Work evenings and weekends as needed.

Occasional exposure to biological hazards (communicable diseases, bacteria, insects, mold, fungi, etc.). Occasional exposure to weather related conditions when working in outside environment/neighborhoods and events.

AVANCE is committed to equal opportunity in employment for persons with disabilities and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), as amended, and any other applicable state and federal laws. Accordingly, AVANCE does not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities regarding application, hiring, advancement, discharge, compensation, training or other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment. Moreover, it is AVANCE’s policy to provide reasonable accommodations in employment to qualified individuals with disabilities so that they can perform the essential functions of the job, unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of AVANCE’s business or would change the essential functions of the position. Retaliation against an individual with a disability for utilizing this policy or seeking a reasonable accommodation is prohibited. Individuals with any questions or requests for accommodation should contact the Human Resources Department.

AVANCE values diversity and is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law. It is also our goal to employ and advance in employment women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, and to treat qualified individuals without discrimination based on their physical or mental disability or veteran status.