Literacy Action

Location:                                           Atlanta- main office

Reports to:                                       Executive Director

Direct Reports:                                3-4

Classification:                                  Full-time salary

FLSA Status:                                     Exempt

Department:                                    Administration

Benefits:                                          Health/Dental/Vision benefits, 401K plus 15 PTO, and one-week paid holiday (Christmas Eve - January 1)

Salary Range:                                   Commensurate with experience

Apply At:                                          https://literacyaction.bamboohr.com/jobs/view.php?id=34

Website:                                           www.literacyaction.org

SUMMARY

Literacy Action, Inc. (LAI) seeks a dynamic, dedicated individual as a Deputy Director (DD). Reporting to - and working closely as a partner with - the Executive Director (ED), the DD will be a seasoned leader and coach, with the ability to operate on strategic, managerial, and hands-on levels and to help guide the organization across programmatic, and administrative functions.

The DD will bring proven nonprofit management expertise and experience in community-based programs, business development, advocacy/organizing, finance, operations, and/or other relevant disciplines. The DD must have a keen attention to detail, the ability to delegate effectively, a proven track record in motivating and unifying teams, and have solid organizational, problem-solving, and clear decision-making skills. The DD will be comfortable with and committed to fostering the development of staff.  

The DD identifies opportunities and challenges and works across departments and teams to come up with highly innovative solutions. Three core teams will roll up to the DD’s supervision: Operations, Development and Programs. The DD’s work will serve to increase the effectiveness and impact of LAI’s services in the region. 

The DD must demonstrate a highly focused social justice lens, excellent communications and relationship building skills, a deep belief in the power and potential of engaged communities, and the ability to promote a clear, inspirational vision for LAI’s next chapter. 

Responsibilities: Together with the ED and Board of Trustees, the DD will develop a plan to share and allocate responsibility for key leadership tasks, including:

Strategic Planning

• Proactively identify internal opportunities and challenges and work with the ED to address them
• Manage key projects and special initiatives that relate to organizational growth

Operational

• Provide oversight of internal operations, including Human Resources, Finance, Legal, Governance, IT and Facilities Management

○ HR priorities include development and implementation of effective recruiting, hiring, compensation, benefits, training, and professional development policies; sustaining an internal culture that promotes initiative, appropriate risk taking, learning, cooperation, equity, and mutual respect

○ Financial priorities include budgeting, reporting, audits, and compliance, especially around government grants and accounting related to restricted funds

○ Facilities priorities include developing a long-term space plan for the organization and implementing health and safety protocols in response to COVID-19 

○ IT priorities include evaluating LAI’s third party helpdesk vendor; the ability to support remote work arrangements; and the cybersecurity measures

• Provide high-level input to inform decisions the organization makes around both legal and financial risks, such as contracts and insurance policies
• Provide high-level input to inform staffing decisions related to growth, performance, and accountability
• Evaluation: Assist in improving and monitoring the organization’s performance reporting systems (including program and fundraising data); ensure successful adoption of Salesforce database; Contribute to the ongoing development of the database in tracking prospective funders as well as program outputs and outcomes

Programmatic:  

• Support two senior leaders in overseeing LAI’s program and development work
• Lead staff in long-term program planning, establishing outcomes and clear project plans
• Work with the senior leadership team to develop and evaluate program strategies and goals
• Work with external partners to harness resources for LAI including but not limited to opportunities for employment, enrichment opportunities and enhanced educational opportunities

Fundraising and External Relations

• Contribute to grant writing and reporting processes
• Represent LAI as appropriate with stakeholders, partners, and funders
• Engage in building donor relationships and lead fund development efforts

Supervision and Staff Management

• Provide coaching and training to push staff members to reach long-term professional goals
• Run Leadership team meetings

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:

• Approachable, collaborative, and willing to learn as well as teach
• Team-player capable of working both collaboratively and independently
• Flexible and able to multi-task; can work within an ambiguous, fast-moving environment, while also driving toward clarity and solutions
• Demonstrated resourcefulness in setting priorities and solving complex operational problems
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills, and the ability to translate data into clear and simple messages for a wide range of audiences
• Superb interpersonal skills, including the ability to generate respect and trust from colleagues, direct reports, and external constituents
• Ability to maintain calm and steadiness during times of crisis or stress
• Ability to provide long-term, inspirational vision while simultaneously creating pragmatic solutions to day-to-day problems
• An understanding of how trauma impacts traditionally marginalized individuals and communities and how this influences the design and delivery of programs serving them
• Deep passion for LAI’s mission and values; commitment to building and maintaining a workplace that reflects the population served by the organization, as demonstrated through LAI’s commitment to hiring from the community

Experience and Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree with 10 years of managing and leading teams experience.
• Extensive senior management experience in a dynamic, responsive environment
• Proven track record of strategic financial management, business strategy, strategic planning
• Experience creating and managing budgets
• Ability to manage complex projects and departments
• Highly skilled at staff management, coaching, and development
• Experience managing cross-functional teams to develop and implement systems and processes to increase effectiveness and efficiency
• Experience navigating complex issues and making difficult decisions, often in high-pressure situations