Best Buddies International is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, inclusive living, and family support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
Best Buddies is the largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic isolation of the 200 million people worldwide with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Our programs empower people with IDD to form meaningful friendships with their peers, secure jobs, improve communication and advocacy skills, and live independently, while also offering support for their families.
Job Title: Director, State Operations
Department: State Operations and Programs
Reports to: Senior Director, State Operations
# of direct reports: varies
Revised date: 3/7/2017
Position Overview: The director, state operations is primarily responsible for supporting the Senior Director, State Operations in the oversight and management of specific states/area. This position will work regularly with the senior director, state operations to support state offices and state staff including programmatic oversight and hiring as well as overseeing the state budget, deciding modifications as needed, and maintaining contact with advisory board members and other key volunteers and supporters. This position works in conjunction with the senior director, state operations and the entire department to support and develop the financial management, programs and staff support of states in their region.
Job Qualifications - Qualified applicants must have:
At least six years of management/supervisory experience, and superior talent-building and team-building skills
Superior project management skills - including planning, analysis, decision making, and problem solving - and willingness to multitask
Superior initiative, drive for results, and self-assessment skills, and ability to lead individuals and teams in setting and achieving challenging goals
Must be highly dependable, lead by example and be willing/able to adapt management style to fit the situation and hold staff accountable for meeting set expectations
At least three years of progressive experience in programs and fundraising including grant writing, event planning/implementation, and/or board management
Superior persuasive writing and presentation skills with the ability to exert influence, inspire others, and articulate the mission, goals, and activities of Best Buddies with passion and enthusiasm
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, and familiarity/comfort with database management systems (i.e. Benevolence, Raisers Edge, Best Buddies Online, Spiceworks, Sharepoint and Set-works)
Job Duties include, but are not limited to:
Acts as interim state director when states in region are in transition of leadership
Has authority to create and implement changes within states while in senior state leadership transitions
Travels to state offices as needed to meet with local staff, evaluate operations and programs in action, develop and offer recommendations for strategic development, and provide coaching and support
Works with operational staff to review and compile monthly financial projections
Works with state staff on programmatic strategies and expansion decisions, ensures programmatic deliverables are being met
Works with finance department to ensure restricted funding for all states is tracked correctly as funding impacts/changes occur during the fiscal year, provides bi-monthly funding spreadsheet updates
Manage grants process with the state development team including development of responses and financial reports
Works closely with contracts and grants manager to execute, submit, and file all supported employment contracts, renewals, and other miscellaneous documentation requested throughout the term of the contract
Works closely with state operations and programs staff to provide any training, technical assistance, or support to prepare for government contract proposals, renewals, contract monitoring and budgets
Recruits, screens and coordinates meetings with state director candidates; provides hiring recommendations to senior director, state operations
Collaborates with state operations and programs department (SOPD) programs team to ensure proper implementation of events, and conference policy within their states; communicates regularly with SOPD programs team to review data, identify trends, and set benchmarks, and communicates/follows up with state staff as needed
Contribute recommendations to develop more effective processes, based off the geographical, constituent, and staff needs observed through staff management and development trends in region
Supports senior director, state operations in managing the financial and budgeting process to ensure states meet their revenue goals and expectations/program goals of their funders; develop creative recommendations to assist states in meeting annual revenue goals.
Assists with recruitment, screening, hiring, and training of state staff in accordance with Best Buddies guidelines and best practices and has authority to make decisions hiring state staff.
Trains and mentors state staff providing accountability, relevant feedback, and appropriate motivation as needed; coordinates and recommends SOPD resources to meet ongoing training needs; and assists as assigned with staff training at national conferences
Participates in staff evaluations with the senior director, state operations, providing relevant feedback, reporting, and recommendations for state development
Maintains communication with senior director, state operations with timely reports and other information as directed.
Manages and oversees the completion of special projects as assigned or as deemed necessary
Best Buddies® is an affirmative action employer, in addition to an EOE and M/F/V/PWD/PV employer. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are foundational to Best Buddies International's core values and help the organization continue to achieve its mission. Here at Best Buddies, our goal is to lead and advocate for a more inclusive world.
Best Buddies offers a comprehensive and generous benefits program that include financial security, health and wellness and time off. .
