ORGANIZATION 

The Partnership for Public Service is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to building a better government and a stronger democracy. We believe that our future and our democracy depend on our ability to solve big problems—and that we need an effective federal government to do so. For more than 20 years, we have helped make this vision a reality, helping our government—the public institution most fundamental to our democracy—address current and future challenges.

Our staff is diverse in experience and perspective, but at our core, we share a lot of the same traits: we are mission-driven, creative, collaborative, optimistic and inclusive.

Our work is strategic, fast-paced and guided by our values:

• Passion for public service and our work toward a more effective government

• People who promote a culture of learning, leadership, collaboration, inclusion and respect

• Persistence to drive change, take strategic risks and deliver results

• Promise to be trustworthy, nonpartisan and fiscally responsible

  We hire smart and friendly people who are great at what they do and good to one another in the process.

  POSITION OVERVIEW 

  The Partnership for Public Service seeks a Director of Operations for the Public Service Leadership Institute. The Director will lead management and planning of the Institute’s internal operations and resources, which are foundational for the Institute’s work. The Director will report to the Partnership for Public Service’s Vice President for Public Service Leadership, will act as an important thought partner, and will play a key role on the Institute’s Leadership team. The Director will engage in high level conversations around strategy and vision as well as be deeply involved in the details of day-to-day planning and execution. This position is ideal for a collaborative manager with a passion for public service and strong skills in operations, project management, hiring and staffing, and financial management.

  ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES 

  Project Management:

• Liaise with internal teams, including Business Development, Monitoring and Evaluation, Communications, HR and Operations to establish and maintain effective partnerships that further mutual goals.

• Strengthen practices in key operational areas, including technology, space and contingency planning.

• Partner with project teams to support project staff in certain aspects of custom project management.

• Oversee knowledge management.

• Play a key role in planning and implementation of operational processes and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for PSLI’s programming.

  Financial Management:

• Oversee budgeting for PSLI projects, including development of training, standard resources, best practices and accountability and support for budget managers.

• Liaise with VP of Finance and Resources to adapt organizational budget guidance for the team and meet deadlines and organizational deliverables.

• Partner with other Partnership teams to coordinate budget development for cross-team projects.

• Monitor budgets for compliance and risk, including over/underspending and support budget managers in adjustments and planning as needed.

  Hiring and Staffing:

• Work in close partnership with other members of the Institute’s leadership team to oversee the Institute’s hiring (full-time staff and interns), including planning for staffing needs for planned work, potential attrition, staff advancement and portfolio shifts.

• Create processes and resources for PSLI hiring managers to ensure hiring is timely, efficient, equitable and in line with HR processes.

• Set and manage staff portfolios and ongoing program/project staffing, balancing project needs with staff interests, workload demands and individual strengths and areas for growth.

• Develop and maintain team onboarding resources and practices that set new staff up for success.

• Oversee aspects of the team’s professional development, including budgeting, tracking and allocation of training and external learning opportunities.

• Guide the organization’s performance management process at the team level by adapting and setting deadlines, processes and deliverables.

• Supervise full-time staff as needed.

  KEY COMPETENCIES 

• Passion for, and commitment to, public service and effective public service leadership. 

• Extensive program and operations management skills, including prioritizing, organizing, delegating and planning work.   

• Strong strategic and systems thinking skills.

• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility. 

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including meeting facilitation skills.

• Highly collaborative, with exceptional ability to coordinate across internal teams.

• Flexible, positive team-player committed to working across teams and ensuring the success of the entire organization. 

• Ability to handle challenges and obstacles with tact, diplomacy and flexibility.

• Highly organized, with the ability to handle multiple projects at once.

• Creative problem solver, with the ability to proactively propose and execute enhanced processes and approaches.

• An understanding of how technology and infrastructure investments can be used to streamline and scale.

• Ability to quickly build credibility and trust with stakeholders.

• A deep understanding of operations and excellent attention to detail.

• Entrepreneurial and creative, with the ability to excel with minimal supervision. 

• Adept at working in a fast-paced and high-energy environment.

  REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE  

• Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree preferred or equivalent professional work experience or military service.   

• At least ten years of experience as a manager of projects and people. 

• Prior supervisory experience.

   

  SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY/REPORTING STRUCTURE 

  This position reports to the Partnership’s Vice President for Public Service Leadership. This position may supervise staff at various levels, ranging from senior managers to associates as needed.  

  WORK EN VIRONMENT

  This job operates in a hybrid (remote + office) environment in Washington, DC, and requires the candidate to be a permanent resident in the Washington, DC, Maryland or Virginia area. The person in this role is expected to work in the office, on average, two days per week. This position requires consistent use of office equipment such as computer, telephone, printer/scanner and MS Office.

  In assessing employee performance at the Partnership, we consider collaboration, results, demonstration of our values and a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility. Our performance review process runs the calendar year; we conduct a performance check-in at mid-year and complete a formal full-year assessment at year end. Salary increases are based on the full-year performance assessment.

  POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK 

  This is a full-time position with regular work hours Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Occasional evening or weekend activities may be required. Please note that Partnership allows flexibility in work schedules.

  TRAVEL 

  If travel occurs, it is usually during the business day .

  SALARY AND BENEFITS 

  The starting salary range for this position is $125,000 - $135,000. The Partnership offers a compensation package that includes a competitive salary; medical, dental and vision coverage; life insurance; long- and short-term disability insurance; a 401(k) program with a 4 percent employer match; commuter benefits; opportunities for training and development; 15 days of annual leave per year, 10 days of sick leave per year, plus all federal holidays and the day after Thanksgiving off; and subsidized use of an on-site exercise facility.  

  AAP/EEO STATEMENT 

  The Partnership is an inclusive organization that fosters learning, collaboration and respect. We actively recruit for diversity in our workplace, believing that a range of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences contributes to our mission of revitalizing government. The Partnership for Public Service is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any application for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, caste, immigration status, national origin, veteran status, disability; or on any other basis prohibited by law.