About the BGA
The BGA’s mission is to promote transparency, efficiency, and accountability in government in Chicago and across the state of Illinois. For nearly 100 years, the BGA has vigorously pursued its mission by producing investigative journalism, advocating for good-government reform, litigating to defend public access to information, and mobilizing the public to achieve change.
To achieve its mission, the BGA which has a full-time staff of roughly 23, is divided into three broad divisions—newsroom, policy, and administration. The key to the BGA’s success has been its strong, deft, and lean administrative team.
About the position
The BGA seeks a seasoned professional to serve as its Director of Operations who will be oversee the day to day running of the BGA. In this context the Vice President oversees the budgeting, investments, accounting, human resources, purchasing, technology, and civic engagement and marketing.
Reporting to the BGA’s President and CEO, the Vice President is a member of the five-person leadership team and is responsible for working with the Finance Committee of the Board.
Core Responsibilities
Operations: Oversees risk management and legal activities such as letters of agreement, contracts, leases, and other legal documents and agreements; maintains business insurance (procurement, monitoring and management); supervises organizational reporting and monitoring by providing guidance and leadership through management of the BGA’s metrics and measurement reporting process, and oversees administrative functions ensuring smooth daily operations of physical office and equipment.
Finance: Develops and manages the organizational and unit budgets, reviews operating costs and suggests cost-saving measures. This person also supervises all accounting, tracking of pro bono donations, tracking of lobbying activities, the annual audit, bi-monthly payroll and employee records.
Technology: Oversees network operations, manages the internet and phone system. This person, working with the BGA IT consultant, ensures the ongoing maintenance and updating of information systems and infrastructure, including hardware, software, and all information management and research systems related to accounting and revenue development.
Human Resources: Facilitates the hiring and firing of personnel, monitors performance management with unit supervisors, maintains personnel records, monitors insurance coverage, facilitates an employee job performance evaluation process, and ensures that personnel policies are up-to-date. This position acts as a negotiator along with outside general counsel between the BGA and the Union during contract renewal discussions.
Strategic Leadership: In collaboration with the President & CEO, this position will articulate and implement a strategic vision for the BGA that focuses on effective growth; oversee implementation programs and projects centered on the strategic plan and build new partnerships to grow and sustain the organization.
Engagement Leadership: Manage a Civic Engagement team focused on increasing and diversifying the BGA audience through in person and digital platforms. This position will oversee the organization’s community engagement, marketing, and website resources. Focus on creating strategy and metrics to determine the implementation of the proper outreach.
Professional Requirements
Five to seven years of demonstrated experience in an operations role.
Personal qualities:
- Passion for the role that journalism can play to improve people’s lives.
- Extraordinary energy, enthusiasm, drive, creativity, initiative and leadership abilities.
- Strong work ethic, evidence of good judgment, detail-oriented, and flexible.
- Sense of humor.
Qualifications
Qualifications for this position demand a bachelor's degree in operations, nonprofit management, or other related field and at least five years experience. Other qualifications include previous experience with managing staff, negotiating agreements, financial management and managing vendor relationships.
Skills
The person hired for this position will be able to identify and implement best office management practices, work independently, think strategically, plan for the long-term success of the organization, and effectively delegate tasks. Personal attributes include strong team leadership, self-motivation, cost-consciousness, flexibility, and strong problem-solving skills. He or she must be a hands-on manager, a strategic thinker and planner, and be able to respond to crises quickly and effectively. This person must have excellent negotiation and communication skills.
Please send cover letter and resume to apandya@bettergov.org.
