Assistant Director for Administration and Operations

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:

The Department of Human Service Programs (DHSP) creates and coordinates services that enhance the quality of life for Cambridge residents. Driven by the needs of residents, DHSP’s extensive services and programs touch almost every sector in the city: from newborns to senior citizens, from school-aged children to homeless families, from non-profit organizations to local employers.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

Reporting to the Assistant City Manager for Human Services, the Assistant Director for Administration & Operations is a member of the senior leadership team in the Department of Human Service Programs, responsible for overseeing the administration and operational functions of a department of over 700 full and part-time staff, serving thousands of residents each year, from newborns to senior citizens, and operating out of 27 sites. Through thoughtful, open and strategic leadership of all human resources, fiscal, and operational functions of DHSP, the Assistant Director will ensure the successful delivery of the Department’s services and programs and lead organizational and staff development efforts to enhance operational effectiveness and implement best practices to support the Department’s workforce. This position is one of 3 Assistant Directors of the Department who, together with the Assistant City Manager, oversee all of the Department’s work. With members of the senior management team, this position collectively holds responsibility for the collaborative culture of the department and the commitment to its racial equity goals.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

• Provide leadership and vision to human resource and staff development functions across DHSP, supporting a culture of responsiveness and accountability; this includes staff training, leadership development, and performance management
• Oversee the development and management of a $70 million budget, working with the Division Head for Administration and the Fiscal Administrator to complete the many phases of the City’s annual budget process.
• Oversee the management of over 10 million dollars in grants to the Department including the regranting of 80% of those funds to CBOs and over 16 million dollars in city funded grants to Cambridge organizations.
• Ensure that the overarching infrastructure and operational needs of DHSP staff and programs are met so staff can focus on delivering quality services to residents from multiple sites across the city
• Hold responsibility for the Department’s Race & Equity Initiative, in coordination with the Race & Equity Steering Committee, to ensure the Initiative is meeting its goals to eliminate racism within DHSP
• Coordinating with other city departments including Human resources, Purchasing, IT and other Finance Departments.
• Lead efforts to improve organizational structure, processes, and culture to enhance effectiveness and implement change management strategies to support large-scale operational and cultural shifts.
• Develop and oversee staff training programs, leadership development, and career progression initiatives. Collaborate with the HR Department to implement strategies to enhance employee engagement, retention, and professional growth, including developing succession planning and talent management strategies.
• Provide meaningful and consistent supervision to a team of high-performing staff, including: the Division Head for Administration, Communications Director, Evaluation and Learning Systems Manager, Systems Coordinator and the Director of Fuel/Summer Food Programs to support the smooth operation of the fiscal, personnel, and communications functions of the department

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

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience:

At least ten years of demonstrated management experience leading operations in a complex and multi-tiered organization in the human service, education or a related field, with a particular emphasis on organizational and staff development. Bachelors’ Degree in related field preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrated experience leading Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts and commitment to racial equity practices
• Organizational development experience and high-level human resource experience
• Proven track record in organizational development, change management, and staff development
• Comfort and demonstrated success working in a political environment
• Commitment to a collaborative work style with demonstrated ability to work independently and as a member of a team
• Strong ability to communicate orally and in writing with staff from a wide variety of backgrounds
• Demonstrated ability to plan and execute complex processes
• Facility with conflict resolution strategies and practices
• Experience managing large teams and complex organizational structures
• Commitment to anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion. The City of Cambridge's workforce, like the community it serves, is diverse. Applicants must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Familiarity with municipal government
• Familiarity with Cambridge

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Standard office environment with fluorescent lighting, carpeted floors and air conditioning.
• This position may be eligible for hybrid work under the City’s Telework Policy depending on operational needs.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Ability to access, input, and retrieve information from a computer. Answer telephones and maintain multiple files. May require minimal lifting of up to 10 pounds.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

All applicants must provide the following materials when submitting their job application:

• Resume
• Cover Letter