Senior Vice President, Operations

DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE

Position Description

JOB TITLE: Senior Vice President, Operations

CLASSIFICATION: Executive 2

SALARY: $214,000 - $237,000

FLSA: Exempt

DEPARTMENT: Operations

LOCATION: Headquarters, Washington, D.C.

REPORTS TO: President & CEO

NUMBER OF DIRECT REPORT(S): 4

LAST REVISED: October 2024

POSITION PURPOSE

Enhance Our Impact On Wildlife And Wild Places By

• Optimizing our people, technology, and workplace infrastructure.
• Leading and inspiring staff and other experts who manage our people, technology, and work environment.
• Mitigating organizational risks by implementing safe, sound, and secure policies and practices.
  
  

Position Summary

As a member of Defenders executive team, the Senior Vice President (SVP) of Operations will provide critical oversight of essential operational functions to ensure organizational priorities are fully supported. They will be responsible for overseeing the implementation and improvement of major organization-wide systems and policies by optimizing our human resources, facilities, and IT infrastructure. To ensure our diverse, talented colleagues can do their best work, the SVP of Operations will work in partnership with the President & CEO and other senior staff to provide thoughtful, timely, and strategic support on financial, fundraising, administrative, and human resources matters, including managing a unionized workforce. The SVP of Operations will also provide advice and support to Defenders Board of Directors as requested.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Serve as a key advisor to the President & CEO in addressing a range of strategic operational issues, which includes reviewing the efficiency of current business/operations functions, planning changes, updates, and enhancements to keep up with infrastructure advancements, and collaborating with the executive team to set and meet Defenders objectives.
• Oversee the management of a unionized workforce in support of the organization's commitment to maintaining a positive, productive, supportive workplace, including broad oversight of all labor relations programs, participating in collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations, and implementing a final CBA. Collaborate with leadership to promote a proactive and constructive approach to labor relations and stay up-to-date and in compliance with national labor relations trends, laws, and regulations.
• In partnership with the Vice President of Human Resources, oversee the development, implementation, and enhancement of all human resources (HR) functions to provide high-quality and timely service and successful culture-building efforts to meet the needs of a modern, diverse, and geographically dispersed workforce . Provide oversight of employment actions, including interviewing, hiring, promotions, and salary increases. Integrate a diversity, equity, and inclusion framework in recruitment and retention strategies.
• In partnership with an information technology (IT) support team, recommend and implement leading-edge IT techniques to improve productivity, increase efficiencies, cut costs, and maintain the latest products and practices throughout IT infrastructures.
• In partnership with a facilities team, oversee the management of Defenders headquarters building. With the support of a management company, optimize and enhance the use of the building as an organizational asset, and implement major capital improvement projects. Oversee management of all leased office spaces and any other temporary spaces.
• Maintain organizational contracting policies and procedures and ensure compliance throughout the organization.
• Oversee departmental budgets for human resources, information technologies, and facilities.
• Provide strong and effective leadership. Define organizational expectations, monitor progress, and provide a work environment that is supportive of organizational accomplishment and individual growth.
• In partnership with the President & CEO, develop short- and long-range operating objectives, organizational structure, and staffing requirements.
• Assist with the implementation of the organizations strategic plan.
• Perform all other related duties as assigned by the President & CEO.
  
  

Qualifications

Education: Bachelors (B.A./B.S.) degree or equivalent in a related discipline is required. An advanced degree and/or MBA is preferred.

Experience

• 20+ years of progressively responsible experience and an exceptional track record in senior management.
• 10+ years with a large organization directing and supervising administrative, human resources, and operational functions.
• 7 years of managing at C-level and nonprofit experience is required.
• Experience managing office buildings, leasing, construction, and contract administration is required.
• Experience working with unions and a unionized workforce is strongly preferred.
• Experience scaling an organization, leading and motivating a diverse workforce, and overseeing the development of efficient, effective, and secure systems to uphold the integrity of the organization.
• Experience in the conservation/environmental field is preferred.
  
  

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted as a satisfactory substitute for the specific education and experience listed above.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities For Senior Vice President, Operations

• Exceptional leadership skills, with a proven track record in successful workforce culture strategy development, staff recruitment and retention, team development, and organizational management with the ability to coach senior-level staff to develop and implement key operational and performance strategies.
• Must be a systems-focused and process-minded leader.
• Excellent problem-solving abilities including anticipation of alternative scenarios, assessment of risks and rewards, collaboration and consultation with others, and timely decision-making.
• Demonstrated ability to use good judgement and make and implement good decisions under stressful and sometimes ambiguous circumstances.
• Analytic and decisive decision maker with the ability to prioritize and communicate to staff key objectives and tactics when necessary to achieve organizational goals.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of modern computerized software and tools.
  
  

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES, ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS, PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Physical Activities

Check all that apply

Frequency

(N)Never, (O)Occasionally or (C)Constantly

Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles and the like.

O

Moving self in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments including tight and confined spaces.

O

Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods.

C

Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another.

O

Adjusting or moving objects up to 10 pounds in all directions.

N

Communicating with others to exchange information.

C

Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers.

C

Operating machinery and/or power tools.

N

Operating motor vehicles or heavy equipment.

N

Assessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned.

C

Environmental Conditions

Check all that apply

Frequency

(N)Never, (O)Occasionally or (C)Constantly

Low temperatures.

N

High temperatures.

N

Outdoor elements such as precipitation and wind.

N

Noisy environments.

O

Hazardous conditions.

O

Poor ventilation.

O

Small and/or enclosed spaces.

O

No adverse environmental conditions expected.

Physical Demands

Check only one

Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting/standing.

Light work that includes moving objects up to 20 pounds.

X

Medium work that includes moving objects up to 50 pounds.

Heavy work that includes moving objects up to 100 pounds or more.

Visit www.defenders.org to apply.

All employees are required to satisfactorily perform the essential duties and responsibilities of their positions. The essential duties and responsibilities listed above are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Defenders of Wildlife provides equal employment opportunity to all qualified individuals without regard to their race, color, creed, religion, sex national origin, ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, personal appearance, family/parental status, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, or any other legally protected characteristic in all personnel actions.

Please be advised this position is non union-eligible.