Director of Operations - First Peoples Worldwide

Job Summary

First Peoples Worldwide (FPW) at the University of Colorado Boulder encourages applicants for the Director of Operations position! As a part of First Peoples’ senior staff, the Director of Operations contributes to strategy development and is responsible for both the creation and implementation of FPW operational plans. This role manages individual projects that are part of overall program and campaign goals, supports and leads grant reporting and development, and establishes systems to track programmatic impact over time. Additionally, this position works with the FPW Director and other senior staff to further the FPW mission by collaborating in strategic planning, identifying and prioritizing areas for improvement, assigning project teams with scope definition, and leading the implementation of these changes and improvements.

Reporting to the First Peoples Worldwide Director, the Director of Operations is responsible for developing a remote work culture that is responsive to the program’s core values, as well as staff needs. This position will also navigate a number of complex systems such as the CU Boulder financial and accounting systems, and maintain relationships with internal and external partners and donors.

The University of Colorado Boulder is committed to building a culturally diverse community of faculty, staff, and students dedicated to contributing to an inclusive campus environment. We are an Equal Opportunity employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

First Peoples Worldwide’s mission is to work from a foundation of Indigenous values to achieve a sustainable future for all.

Our work empowers by building awareness and education for both Indigenous Peoples and industry groups, engages by convening consensus-driven dialogue between stakeholders, and transforms through activities that align business behavior with the rights of Indigenous Peoples. First Peoples is housed within the CU Center for Native American and Indigenous Studies (CNAIS), a Center within the Graduate School, and is guided by an external Advisory Board.

Using corporate engagement strategies, we provide tools and resources for investors, companies and financial institutions to increase understanding about the ways to include Indigenous Peoples in project design in accordance with the principle of free, prior and informed consent as enumerated in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Simultaneously, we facilitate participation by Indigenous Peoples in high-level dialogue regarding investments that impact their lands, territories and resources.

First Peoples addresses the unique social and environmental impacts of development in Indigenous communities, while preparing current and future leaders to meet the pressing social responsibility challenges facing today's businesses. Through capacity-building sessions between institutions and Indigenous representatives, and major research projects, our work increases accountability, furthers human rights-based engagement, and helps to protect the planet for all.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Operations Management

• Develop and implement organizational strategy and systems to support First Peoples’ mission in its unique priorities.
• Lead the theories of change and program mission, tracking impact and results.
• Drive initiatives that contribute to long-term operational excellence.
• Maintain familiarity with First Peoples’ ongoing campaigns to provide robust oversight of substantive work.
• Work collaboratively with staff to identify and implement impactful projects, ensuring that resources are effectively deployed, and programs adaptively managed, to achieve maximum impact.
• Manage staff to support the FPW Director’s organizational oversight.
• Drive staff expansion and growth, including, but not limited to: preparing job listings and participating in the hiring process, screening applicants and conducting interviews; maintaining personnel policies, handbooks, and onboarding practices; conducting new hire onboarding and integration; working with FPW Director to set performance scales and ensure consistent implementation of performance evaluation; and maintaining employee files.
• Build and mentor staff in a manner that empowers them to contribute to First Peoples’ mission, to deliver a high level of performance, and to ensure wellbeing and balanced workloads.
• Coordinate, plan, and conduct regular First Peoples’ staff meetings; advisory board meetings; and staff retreats.

Impact Evaluation & Development

• Work with other senior staff to track strategy and campaign impact for development and management purposes.
• Integrate with and manage relationships between First Peoples and other University of Colorado entities to further maintain and develop productive relationships and mutual value.

Grant & Finance Management

• In collaboration with and oversight by finance and administration staff in the Graduate School, supervise budget, funding lines, and grant management including managing goals, relationships, and strategy to ensure financial viability and sustainability through effective resource mobilization and management.

What You Should Know

• This is a fully remote position.
• All University of Colorado Boulder employees are required to follow the campus COVID-19 vaccine requirement . New employees must provide proof of vaccination or receive a medical or religious exemption within 30 days of employment.

What We Can Offer

The salary range for this position is $85,000.00 - $102,000.00.

Benefits

The University of Colorado offers excellent benefits , including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO Pass. The University of Colorado Boulder is one of the largest employers in Boulder County and offers an inspiring higher education environment. Learn more about the University of Colorado Boulder .

Be Statements
Be adaptable. Be proactive. Be Boulder.

What We Require

• A Master’s Degree.
• 5 years of experience in operations, nonprofit management, strategy, and/or systems, or in related fields.

What You Will Need

• Ability to develop and implement organizational strategy that amplifies First Peoples’ ongoing projects and overall mission.
• Strong writing ability, including grant reports; articles for general and specific audiences; and formal communications to funders.
• Understanding of Indigenous issues including in the fields of business, law, and finance.
• Excellent interpersonal, creative, and organizational skills.
• Strong leadership skills
• Comfortable working autonomously, and also to seek support and direction as appropriate.
• Ability to analyze current systems and workflows and introduce needed changes.
• Willingness to learn new operational or support skills to support First Peoples’ leadership and staff.
• Ability to analyze and communicate priorities for budgets, grants, and funding lines.
• Demonstrable past success working with all levels of staff, management, and leadership.
• Ability to display initiative and introduce innovations to accelerate progress toward strategic vision and mission and dedication to inclusive excellence.
• Ability to set and meet timelines, supervise project progress, and communicate scheduling challenges.
• Ability to work remotely.

What We Would Like You To Have

• Juris Doctor.
• Experience with grant management.
• Experience with client and project management.
• Experience with mentorship and staff development.
• Management experience.
• Experience working with Native Nations or Indigenous Peoples.
• Experience in written and oral communication for different audiences.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

1. A current resume.
2. A cover letter that specifically tells us how your background and experience align with the requirements, qualifications, and responsibilities of the position.

We may request references at a later time.

Please apply by 8/22/22 for consideration.

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs .

Posting Contact Information

Posting Contact Name: Boulder Campus Human Resources

Posting Contact Email: recruiting@colorado.edu