Operations and People Manager

At Drive Change, our mission is to support formerly incarcerated young people, and create quality employment pathways to ensure their economic and emotional wellbeing. We work to create systemic change and sustainable impact through unapologetically reimagining what’s possible for the food and hospitality industry.

OUR VALUES:

Education: I am committed to my own growth and education. I commit to learning about the issues, systems, historical and current, that affect the food system and American Legal System.

Innovation: I continually look for ways to approach our work through innovation and creativity. I bring new ideas, question the status quo and am committed to being part of the solution.

Hospitality: I approach all members of our DC community with care, empathy and a desire to connect and meet them where they are at.

Courage: I am committed to taking action in order to center equity and justice in our work and collective mission.

Collective Accountability: I give and ask for feedback consistently and with an open mind. I understand that feedback is a gift and investment in personal and professional growth. I hold myself and others accountable to our values.

About the Operations Manager Position

The Operations and People Manager is equal parts Problem Solver, People Person, and Organizational Wizard and comes with a creative mind and willingness to own outcomes. You are key support to our COO and support the overall functioning of Drive Change. This role requires a range of knowledge and skills in organizational procedures and policies, financial and project management, researching and resolving administrative inquiries, as well as a love for communications, logistics and cross functional team support.

Key Responsibilities:

Office, People and Administrative Management:

• Oversee the efficient day-to-day functioning of the office environment, ensuring all administrative systems and workflows are running smoothly.
• Manage office inventory, including supplies and external marketing materials, ensuring timely ordering, cost control, and vendor relationship management.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date inventory lists, including pricing, vendor information, and order history, updating monthly.
• Ensure the general security, cleanliness, and upkeep of the office, including managing office space, equipment, and physical assets.
• Supervise the organization’s employee and vendor files, ensuring they are complete, organized, and compliant with organizational policies.
• Research, evaluate, and onboard new vendors and service providers, ensuring cost-effectiveness and alignment with organizational needs.
• Work with leadership level personnel to facilitate any infrastructure changes in order for the team to be better prepared and forward thinking

Event Support:

• Develop and manage event timelines, Run-of-Show checklists, and communication plans, coordinating with vendors, venues, and internal teams.
• Collaborate with the development team in execution of events, ensuring all logistical and operational details are handled efficiently and effectively.
• Organize event assets and materials before and after the event, ensuring all items are accounted for and properly stored.
• Collect, organize, and communicate data and feedback from events to the team, ensuring insights are used to improve future events

Financial Oversight & Recordkeeping:

• Collaborate with the COO and accounting team to maintain accurate financial records and ensure that all receipts and expenses are properly documented and submitted on time.
• Oversee the preparation of monthly and quarterly budget reports, tracking expenditures and ensuring operations remain within budget.
• Manage financial documentation from external vendors (e.g., W9s, contracts, direct deposit forms) and ensure timely submission to accounting.
• Monitor payroll processing and work with Drive Change’s PEO (Professional Employer Organization) to ensure timely and accurate payroll execution, tax compliance, and employee benefits administration.
• Work with the COO to address financial discrepancies or concerns and help implement solutions to maintain a well-managed budget.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Leadership:

• Partner with leadership to identify and implement infrastructure improvements, ensuring the team is well-equipped to meet organizational goals.
• Provide strategic guidance on optimizing operational systems, creating processes for greater efficiency and alignment across teams.
• Lead the operations team in maintaining compliance with all regulatory and operational requirements, keeping the team informed of relevant policies and procedures.
• Support staff and leadership in facilitating smooth internal communication, problem-solving, and decision-making processes.

General Administrative Support:

• Manage and oversee the distribution of incoming and outgoing mail, including ensuring time-sensitive materials are prioritized.
• Organize and coordinate all administrative tasks related to external memberships, subscriptions, and software accounts, keeping credentials updated.
• Support the COO with general office administration, system implementation, and strategic initiatives as needed.

Skills & Attributes Needed:

• 3+ years of experience in operations or office management, ideally within the nonprofit sector
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Proven experience in financial recordkeeping, budgeting, people ops, and vendor management
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to coordinate across various stakeholders
• A proactive, strategic mindset with a focus on process improvement and operational efficiency
• Proficiency with office software (Google Workspace, Square Space, Monday.com, Canva, Quickbooks, and other project management tools)
• A "No task is too big or too small" mentality and positive attitude
• Demonstrated ability for thoroughness, attention to detail, and good judgment
• Ability to manage multiple (sometimes even conflicting) priorities
• Belief that systems design is at the core of strong organizational impact
• Willingness and readiness for working with an early stage, small company
• Passionate about food and hospitality, reimagining criminal justice, and building ethical food systems
• Drivers license preferred

You know you’re successful in this role when you meet the following key performance indicators (KPIs) by the end of year one:

1. Implement at least three process improvements that reduce administrative workload/increase efficiency by 10%.
2. Maintain at least 95% compliance rate with regulations, safety standards, and internal policies.
3. Achieve high employee engagement and satisfaction scores.

Work Schedule:

This position is a full-time, in person position. Comp time provided if and when evening and/or weekend work is required. The office location for this position is Brooklyn, New York.

BENEFITS

• Competitive Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life insurance with employer contributions
• Access to Employee Assistance Program, including therapy and family planning
• Unlimited Paid Time Off
• Parental Leave
• 401K plan
• Professional development opportunities
• Family meal provided most days

Requirements to Apply:

To apply to the Operations Manager role, please submit the following to people@drivechangenyc.org:

• Resume
• In lieu of a cover letter, answers to the following questions:
  • What aspects of this role are you most motivated by and why?
  • How does your personal and/or professional experience contribute to your commitment to working towards racial and economic justice for the young people that we serve? How specifically will it contribute to this role's expectations in stewarding others in their own process?
  • What does the Drive Change tagline, "Reimagine Justice, Reimagine Service" mean to you?
  • Share an example from your personal or professional life where you have demonstrated exceptional organization. Please include the specific tools or practices you use to stay organized.

Drive Change is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, citizenship status, or current employment status.

Drive Change values diverse experiences, including with regards to educational background and justice system involvement. We depend on a diverse staff to carry out our mission.