JOB OPPORTUNITY – DIRECTOR OF HR AND OPERATIONS

 

Submit a thoughtful cover letter and a current resume in PDF format to DHRO@storycatcherstheatre.org. We are unable to respond to phone inquiries about this position. Please write your name (Last, First) in the subject line of your email.

About Storycatchers Theatre.

Storycatchers Theatre guides young people to transform their traumatic experiences into powerful musical theatre, developing the courage and vision to become leaders and mentors. By creating support for youth within the criminal justice system, Storycatchers prepares them to change their lives and emerge successfully from court involvement. We dedicate all our resources to meet the complex needs of adolescents and young adults who have become involved in the justice system. We have worked with young people in the Illinois juvenile justice system since 1990, developing and refining a nationally recognized, award-winning, trauma-informed creative youth development methodology. We conduct year-round residential programs in three separate juvenile justice facilities and offer a post-release performing arts jobs program, Changing Voices, to young people navigating reentry to Chicago.

We are a collaborative organization that believes in committing to each other as well as the youth we serve. We implement a uniquely effective arts education model that helps marginalized young people develop the capacity to envision and pursue meaningful futures. We believe in second chances.

Position summary.

The Director of HR and Operations (DHRO) manages organizational operations, HR, IT, finances, and facilities, and provides support to the program and development departments. The DHRO is responsible for ensuring Storycatchers runs as smoothly as possible, including defining, implementing, and revising operational policies and guidelines in key functional areas (HR, finance and accounting, facilities, etc.). The DHRO is a key member of Storycatchers’ leadership team and will be expected to contribute to discussion and decision making around organizational strategic planning, group facilitation, problem-solving, and other proactive measures to drive the mission forward.

The DHRO reports to Storycatchers’ Executive Director and supervises two positions: the Senior Finance Manager and the Executive Assistant.

Primary job expectations.

Human Resources (25% of the position)

  • Ensure that Storycatchers’ HR processes and policies adhere to IL labor laws, align with sound nonprofit management principles, and comply with federal, state, and local legal requirements.
  • Design and lead hiring processes; includes creating job descriptions, recruiting, vetting resumes, phone screening, and scheduling and participating in interviews.
  • Develop and maintain relationships within the local BIPOC community of artists to cultivate awareness of our mission and develop a pipeline of talent for open positions.
  • Provide effective infrastructure and guidance for staff on-boarding, training and development; staff recognition, performance evaluation, records management, safety and health awareness; and employee retention strategies.
  • Improve employee performance by identifying and clarifying problems, evaluating potential solutions, implementing approved solutions, and coaching and counseling employees.
  • Ensure the periodic review (every 3-4 years) of salary ranges for all positions and make range recommendations to the Executive Director for salary and benefit package changes that are financially sustainable and competitive.
  • Revise Personnel Policies Manual as needed and ensure implementation of Personnel Policies Manual and office procedures.

Finances (20% of the position)

  • Supervise Sr. Finance Manager, who handles the majority of day-to-day finance duties.
  • Lead budget development and monitoring; this includes working with the other Directors to compile and monitor annual departmental budgets, create and monitor the organization’s annual operating budget, review cash flow, communicate status to Directors regularly, and ensure expenditure control.
  • Ensure that program leaders understand and adhere to individual program budgets within the organizational budget.
  • Partner with the Director of Development to create data reports for funders.
  • Act as liaison with board treasurer: report monthly financial statements and facilitate the generation of quarterly board financial reports and cash flow projections.
  • Update and ensure implementation of finance policies and procedures, ensure that best practices policies are followed by staff.
  • Supervise the creation of proposals, contracting, and invoicing for key central institutional partnerships, including the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ).
  • Oversee payroll process, serve as administrator.

Program Infrastructure (20% of the position)

  • Partner with the Director of Arts Education Programs and Director of Development to enhance the metrics infrastructure of the organization.
  • Partner with the Director of Arts Education Programs to strengthen the Training infrastructure.

General Office/Operations/Facilities (20% of the position)

  • Oversee and coordinate with external resources as needed (i.e., lawyer, auditor etc.).
  • Oversee buildout and move-in of new anchor site for Changing Voices (one-time project).
  • Monitor leases for the main office and Changing Voices anchor site (ongoing).
  • Determine and manage security for the main office and all program sites (ongoing).

IT (5% of the position)

  • Manage the coordination of all IT services, databases, and software systems for the organization.
  • Troubleshoot IT problems, serve as the in-house desktop support person for simple tech issues for staff; refer more complex issues to IT vendor/firm.
  • Engage IT firm to maintain hardware and provide desktop support when needed.

Other (10% of the position)

  • Participate in strategic planning and oversee work with other leaders to implement strategy.
  • Actively promote the mission, vision, and values statements and ensure assigned staff incorporate these beliefs and values into their daily work ethic.
  • Attend and actively participate in required departmental and staff meetings.
  • Participate in program performances by assisting with logistics when needed.
  • Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Skills, traits, and beliefs that would set you up for success.

Education and Skills.

  • Undergraduate degree preferred but equivalent experience will be considered.
  • Understanding of theatre and/or arts education preferred, but not required.
  • Non-profit experience preferred, but not required.
  • 5 years of operations, administration, and nonprofit finance experience required.
  • Demonstrated pursuit of continuing education in accounting required.
  • 3 years of HR experience, or willingness to gain professional development and demonstrated pursuit of continuing education; capacity to oversee and refine a dynamic human resources program.
  • Solid knowledge of basic financial management and accounting models required. Quickbooks experience preferred.
  • Web literate and proficient use of Microsoft Office.
  • Experience in assessing and selecting technology solutions for identified processes.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills with exceptional attention to detail.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage a collaborative team.

Qualities.

  • Fiercely organized and impeccable attention to detail.
  • Committed to producing results.
  • Proactive management approach.
  • Ability to make confident, reasoned independent decisions.
  • Proactive approach to collaborative discussions and respectful debate with the best interests of the organization at front of mind.

Our work environment.

  • This position operates primarily in an office environment in our River North office location but may require occasional travel to our program site locations in the Chicago metro area, or downstate (rarely).
  • Storycatchers maintains a remote work policy as needed.
  • This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, scanners, and filing cabinets.
  • This is a full-time position. Evening and weekend work are occasionally required as the schedule is often determined by the shifting needs of the organization.
  • The successful candidate will be expected to undergo a background check and fingerprinting before they come on board.
  • Storycatchers is a smoke- and drug-free environment, and we require proof of vaccination against COVID-19.

Compensation and benefits.

  • Position is Full-Time Exempt.
  • 100% paid enrollment in company health plan for employees.
  • 43 days of PTO each year that includes a winter holiday break, flexible personal time, and all federal holidays.
  • Paid professional development opportunities.
  • Starting Salary Range: $70,000 to $80,000 based on experience.