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Operations Director

Hybrid, Full-time | Some travel required in support of training operations in multiple locations across the country.

ABOUT US

The Overwatch Project is an initiative of FORGE, the only national nonprofit exclusively focused on working from within the firearms community on transformative, non-political initiatives to end gun suicide and gun homicide. Through the Overwatch Project, we have built the equivalent of the “Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk” campaign for veterans and service members, but instead of talking about alcohol and vehicles, we’re focused on guns and suicide. Our flagship program uses an evidence-based peer-intervention approach to save lives by transforming conversations about firearms and suicide prevention. We save lives through comprehensive training, education and community engagement initiatives crafted in a blunt, authentic voice. We expect to train 30,000+ veterans and service members in the next year and reach tens of thousands more through outreach and communications campaigns. Learn more at www.overwatchproject.org

THE ROLE

Come help us save lives! We’re seeking an Operations Director for the Overwatch Project/FORGE to strengthen our operations infrastructure and execution as we rapidly scale to new locations and partners nationwide.

JOB DESCRIPTION

We are seeking an individual with experience in operations management, including ensuring efficient project execution and managing partner relationships, for a rapidly growing nonprofit preventing suicide and saving lives through innovative peer intervention training programs. If you can demonstrate a track record of success streamlining systems and managing coordination of operational functions for a growing enterprise, we want to talk to you! The Operations Director is a key member of the management team and will help oversee a growing staff, while having a say in our strategic direction and future project development.

Location: Hybrid – 70% remote with 30% travel to support the execution of various large-scale training and engagement events on site

Salary: $90K-110K — dependent on experience and location

Full-time benefits include generous holiday and PTO package, medical insurance (QSEHRA)

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Manage program and project execution, to include partner coordination, advance scheduling, site prep, materials, and scope changes

  • Develop systems and processes to streamline operations, monitor logistical deadlines, and properly delegate tasks to the training and events teams

  • Ensure accurate and timely operational data to support reporting, while partnering with leadership on impact reporting inputs

  • Support and manage relationships with existing government, military, corporate, nonprofit and foundation partners

  • Oversee a growing team, with tasks that include conducting consistent performance reviews and adjustments, and consolidating feedback for future improvement of the organization

  • Oversight of program and operational budgets, forecasting operational costs tied to training volume, and coordination with finance on grant-restricted funds

  • Manage a team of contracted individuals providing training and education services, as well as other contractors that provide administrative and logistical support

  • Prioritize projects for team members based on strengths and bandwidth assessments

  • Create and manage systems to ensure programs reach training milestones (number of people trained, dates, evaluation scores, and other metrics)

  • Oversee the in-person execution of complex training events

  • Help manage recruitment, hiring, and orientation of employees, implement compensation determinations, and support management of staff benefits

  • Create documentation and maintain ongoing documentation processes as business needs evolve or features are added

  • Manage annual compliance on federal contracting, including training and background check requirements

  • Serve as the primary point of contact for materials procurement, asset and inventory management, including vendor management and inventory reports

  • Assist the CEO in examining, developing, implementing, documenting, and communicating the goals, priorities and values of the nonprofit

  • Prepare and present written proposal summaries, analyses, and recommendations for the senior leadership team

  • Participate in leadership team meetings and contribute to strategic decision making

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Military experience and/or familiarity with military and veteran communities required

  • Experience in scaling an organization highly preferred

  • Minimum of 4 years in operations management

  • Strong communication skills (oral, written, presentation, listening)

  • Strong planning and coordination skills to work with multiple priorities and diverse clients

  • Ability to prioritize and respond quickly to time-sensitive requests

  • Solid business and financial acumen

  • Excellent organization and time management skills

  • Demonstrated ability to communicate with ease and grace with partners and stakeholders across wide-ranging levels that will include: individual program participants, service members, volunteers, foundation partners, and senior military leaders

  • Familiarity and interest in innovative models for social impact

  • Willingness to perform additional duties not listed in the job description as required by business needs

  • Ability to work virtually with a dedicated team driven by a social mission

  • Degree in operational management, business administration, nonprofit management, or related fields preferred

  • Project Management certifications (e.g., PMP) a plus

  • This role requires domestic travel

PERSONALITY TRAITS

  • Calm, shock-absorber for internal staff and external stakeholders

  • Self-starter

  • Highly detail-oriented

  • Comfortable with ambiguity and rapid change

  • Purpose-driven and passionate about meaningful work

  • Resilient to challenging material (e.g. descriptions of self-harm ideation)

  • Critical thinker

  • Skilled with people

  • Positive energy

  • Love of innovation and belief in its ability to solve some of the world’s biggest problems

WHAT MAKES THIS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY

By joining FORGE, you will be part of a groundbreaking nonprofit enterprise, currently helping a wide range of Americans help each other prevent firearm suicide and other gun deaths. You will be a key member of our team as we drive and measure the impact of our innovative, nationally-recognized, award-winning work.

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