CAREERS: The Next Generation is a unique, non-profit organization raising youth awareness of career options and helping students earn while they learn through internship. We partner with government, educators, communities, industry, parents and students to introduce youth to rewarding careers and develop the skilled workers of the future.

About the role

As the Director of Operations, you will be part of the Executive Management Team and will play a key role in leading the Operations team by working closely with internal and external stakeholders, planning, and overseeing provincial operational activities across Alberta. Reporting to the President & CEO, you will help in providing strategic leadership, drive operational excellence, and implement best practices to support organization wide growth and success. You will ensure business continuity by assessing risk and ensuring the organization is set up to best support the community.

What You'll Need to Succeed

The ideal candidate is comfortable being uncomfortable and wearing various hats. This is a high impact role that drives most of the organizational outcomes. You will need to have strong project management and organizational skills as a clear focus for this role is to lead and grow a province-wide team working with a wide range of external stakeholders. You will be comfortable with change and successfully help manage the team through changes. You are able to gain employee buy in, as well as able to communicate with various levels of stakeholders.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction and leadership to the Operations Team including implementation of programs, services, policies, and guidelines.
• Achieve outcomes consistent with the goals of the organization.
• Participate in the preparation and administration of the approved annual budget and forecasts.
• Provide input and consult with the President and CEO on operational and strategic matters.
• Develop and maintain strong and productive relationships with stakeholders and strategic partners.
• Monitor the quality and impact of programs across the province.

Strategic Leadership

• Working with other directors to build and nurture a shared vision to achieve the organization's mission.
• Along with the other Directors provide input to CAREERS programs and partnership development.
• Provide input and assistance to the President & CEO in the development of the annual and long-term strategic plan.
• Articulate and communicate a compelling shared vision that engages stakeholders (internal and external) in mission, outcomes and targets generating enthusiasm and commitment.
• Build long term sustainability in the organization through development of partnerships and by heightening the profile of CAREERS in communities across Alberta and beyond, as appropriate.
• Develop and implement innovative solutions to achieve strategic plan outcomes.
• Lead change within CAREERS and support a culture of innovation and a climate that encourages receptivity to change.
• Build and nurture a shared vision across the CAREERS team, establishing direction, setting priorities, and maintaining focus.
• Contribute to the annual budgeting and quarterly financial forecast.
• Develop and implement operational plans in consultation with the President & CEO that deliver on the strategic plan.
• Actively monitor and analyze operational activities to capitalize on and leverage opportunities.
• Provide information and input to the Leadership Team regarding emerging issues and trends to support strategic planning through regular internal and external environmental scans.
• Conduct risk analysis for new projects, proposals or strategies and participate in the enterprise risk assessment process.
• Regularly report to the President & CEO to ensure an awareness of opportunities, challenges, risks and progress towards goals.

Team Leadership

• Provide leadership, coaching, and mentoring and motivate the Operations Management team to achieve business goals.
• Actively develop and continuously build the Operations team by promoting collaboration and by identifying and capitalizing on opportunities to leverage learning, experience, and ideas.
• Working collaborative with Human Resources to manage all aspects of the Operations Management team including recruitment, training, and evaluating performance.
• Train, coach and guide the Operations team in the design of achievable and appropriate programs and services.

Operations Leadership

• Implement policies as directed by the President & CEO.
• Ensure plans are in place to achieve organizational goals and that stakeholders are provided with appropriate programs and quality of service.
• Continuously monitor, analyze, design, and improve operational activities and processes.
• Identify and recommend resources that are required to achieve operational goals and monitor effective utilization of resources.
• Set and monitor the achievement of operational goals/targets and outcomes.
• Build partnerships with key stakeholders to promote the organization and meet organizational goals.
• Participate in public speaking opportunities, networking, and community relations activities to promote community awareness of CAREERS' mission and aims.
• Monitor operational expenses and consult with the Executive team regarding new project costs.

Skills and Competencies

• Exceptional leadership ability and strong motivational, mentoring, and coaching skills.
• Strong team development skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to develop and maintain collaborative relationships with others.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, including effective listening skills.
• Strong customer service orientation, with a strong commitment to customer satisfaction.
• Practical analytical and problem-solving skills combined with the ability to find innovative solutions.
• Strong negotiation and consensus building skills.
• Sound ethical approach to decision making and relationship building.
• Capacity to deal with a rapidly changing and at times uncertain environment.
• Calculated risk taker.
• Able to demonstrate proficiency in the CAREERS competencies of collaboration, communication, professionalism, entrepreneurial orientation, resourcefulness, interpersonal relationships and influencing.
• Strong computer skills working in a cloud environment – MS Office skills. Experience using Customer Relationship Management software considered an asset.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge base gained through previous experience as a leader in the world of business is required.
• Previous experience and/or strong knowledge of the secondary educational system and culture in Alberta is beneficial.
• A validated credential (certification or degree) in business, management, education, or marketing is required.
• Experience in community building either through work, volunteering, or other experiences.

What we Offer

• Competitive starting salary - $ 118,500 - $133,373, with placement on the range dependent on your applicable experience, qualifications, skills, and knowledge.
• Comprehensive benefits package, including an RRSP matching program.
• Support to maintain your professional credentials.

This opportunity is open until a suitable candidate is found. We ask those individuals with an interest in further exploring this exciting opportunity to kindly forward your resume to [email protected]. Please note that the start date for this position will be October 1st, 2024. We appreciate the interest of all applicants, and only those selected for interviews will be contacted.