Operations Manager

Aspire Afterschool Learning is seeking a 30-hour/week Operations Manager to lead our internal organizational and compliance processes and systems.

The ideal candidate will have a passion and skill for building, operationalizing, managing, and implementing strong internal functions that allow Aspire to operate as a best-in-class workplace and nonprofit. This detail and systems-orientated candidate will be responsible for: 1.) Licensure and compliance, 2.) Financial checks and balances and operations, and 3.) Office and project management. They will be committed to developing, executing, and managing policies, systems, and strategies that streamline internal operations and improve productivity, compliance, and efficiencies that allow us to achieve our mission, while also contributing to an enjoyable and sustainable organizational culture. 

Who We Are…

Aspire Afterschool Learning (formerly Greenbrier Learning Center) is a non-profit organization based in South Arlington. Aspire provides robust, comprehensive, and high-quality afterschool and summer academic enrichment to historically underserved 3^rd – 8^th grade students. Our programs support and connect students, families, schools, and communities while using evidence-based methods to achieve results for students most impacted by the educational opportunity gap. Over 90% of our students improve their reading levels each year with our support.

Aspire’s values statement:

• Growth: We Aspire to support our students to empower them to reach their goals. 
• Connection: We Aspire to bring our community together to create a sense of belonging for our students and their families.
• Equity & Access: We Aspire to provide access to the students and families most impacted by the educational opportunity gap and treat Aspire students and families with dignity, fairness, and respect. 
• Excellence: We Aspire to strive for excellence in all that we do. 
• Fun & Caring: We Aspire to approach every day with a nurturing spirit of playfulness and warmth.

You can learn more about Aspire and our work at www.aspireafterschool.org.

What You’ll Do…

The Operations Manager, who is based at least 50% of the time at Aspire’s Arlington Mill Community Center location is responsible for the following:

License and Compliance:

• Manage, implement, and oversee all aspects of Aspire’s state licensing requirements to ensure Aspire is operating in full compliance with our agreements with Arlington County, our school partners, and the Commonwealth of Virginia
• Develop, operationalize, implement, and manage compliance checklists, systems, and processes to ensure quality and compliance
• Organize, schedule, and document mandatory trainings as required by compliance
• Coordinate physical sites for inspections
• Develop, maintain, and update policies, procedures, and student and staff files and records
• Meet regularly and work collaboratively with the Program Team to ensure proactive coordination, communication, and problem-solving around issues impacting program implementation and quality and compliance

Financial Checks and Balances and Operations:

• Serve as point of contact with and manage contract with Aspire’s external bookkeeper, ensuring both Aspire and bookkeeper meet timelines and deliverables with accuracy, integrity, within budget, and in alignment with sound accounting practices
• Maintain monthly budget vs actual analysis, expenses, and income processes in accordance with budget and Aspire’s financial policies; work with Executive Director to inform timely budget vs actual strategy and financial reporting
• Follow and ensure proper fiscal accounting and controls in accordance with Aspire’s financial policy and nonprofit best practices
• Manage and streamline vendors and contractors, including timely billing and invoicing
• Track and maintain vendor, operational, and human resources expenses to inform budget development
• Serve as the project manager with Aspire’s annual audit, ensuring timely and accurate responses to auditing request

Office Management & Operations:

• Oversee internal systems and operations to ensure efficiency, productivity, and safety, including overall risk-reduction and compliance with best practices in audit standards
• Develop, maintain, and update standard operating procedures and systems and processes
• Create and manage an internal calendar and project plan to ensure coordination, logistics, and project management for key Aspire functions, including technology and communications; human resources, reporting and compliance; and programming
• Manage information technology to ensure efficiency and productivity, including identifying solutions to address current challenges with an eye toward future needs
• Operate administrative and basic human resources functions, including payroll, benefits, and time tracking
• Develop, track, and maintain Memos of Understanding (MOUs) and agreements and deliverables with Aspire programs and partnerships
• General office management, including organizing and ordering office equipment, inventory, and supplies in alignment with budget; maintaining space, including coordinating repairs and maintenance in alignment with budget; and maintaining, organizing, and updating organization share files, lists, and documents

Who You Are & Keys to Success…

To be successful in this job, you will excel in three areas:

• Systems thinking and problem solving: You come up with insightful, pragmatic, equitable, and sustainable systems and solutions to tackle common challenges and produce positive change. You have a successful track record of taking a concept from idea to implementation and you think three steps ahead to anticipate hurdles and come up with pragmatic solutions. You plan backwards to make deadlines, involve stakeholders appropriately, ask for help when needed, propose solutions to issues without much guidance, anticipates problems, and course-correct where needed.

• Highly organized, motivated, and detail-oriented:  You have or can create a system for keeping tasks from slipping through the cracks. You are able to juggle competing demands and prioritize without sacrificing quality.

• Commitment to racial equity and social justice: You recognize the ways that race, ethnicity, language, income level and other identities intersect in the work, especially with communities we serve. You can identify decisions, policies, or practices that have disparate impacts based on identity and are driven to make changes in systems and practices to operationalize equity.

In addition, you bring with you:

• Demonstrated business management and/or compliance experience
• Strong project management and success developing, operationalizing, managing, streamlining, and implementing standard operating procedures, systems, and processes
• Demonstrated financial management/budgeting experience
• Technology proficiency
• Collaborative problem solving
• Proactive, direct, and open communication skills
• Excitement for Aspire’s mission and commitment to Aspire’s values

What Else You Should Know…

Aspire Afterschool Learning is a safe, inclusive workplace for people of all backgrounds and walks of life. We value having team members who reflect the students and families we serve, including from communities most impacted by the educational opportunity gap. Some candidates may see a long list of job requirements and feel discouraged because they don’t match every single bullet point; please apply anyway. We don’t believe in a “perfect” candidate because we believe in our core values of growth, connection, equity, and access.

Aspire Afterschool Learning does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or creed, gender, age, national origin or ancestry, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status in any of its activities or operations.

The position is full-time (30 hours/week) and requires the ability to work from Aspire’s Arlington Mill site in South Arlington 50% of the time. The hours are flexible. The salary for this position is $50,000/annual. We also offer a monthly health insurance stipend, 403b plan, flexible work schedule, positive working environment and culture, values-driven work, 15 vacation days during your first year of employment, 13 holidays, 5 wellness days, and two weeks off with pay during the winter holiday break.

How to Apply…

Please send a cover letter and resume to paula @ aspireafterschool.org with “Operations Manager” in the subject line by March 28. The position will remain open until filled; however, interviews with qualified candidates will begin immediately.