Opportunities
CARA is seeking a Head of Operations and Culture. CARA’s Head of Operations and Culture will report to the Executive and Artistic Director. This position encompasses a wide range of organizational activities including project management and workplace culture. The Head of Operations and Culture will facilitate fluid communication and streamline internal processes across CARA. They will ensure successful delivery of projects in alignment with CARA’s strategic vision and organizational values. This position leads on workplace culture, ensuring our core values of care and collaboration are centered in our workplace practices.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Operations and Project Management
- Manage a multi-year schedule of all programs at CARA
- Oversee day-to-day project management across the organization’s key program areas, including managing workflows, ensuring timely completion of projects, and addressing issues promptly
- Facilitate efficient communication among the team, including setting meeting schedules and touch points throughout project timelines
- Identify risks and develop strategies to mitigate and ensure project success
- Develop and implement evaluation processes for projects and programs
- Work across departments ensuring team members have autonomy, agency, accountability, and can thrive in their roles
- Facilitate opportunities for collective work, such as identifying internal
collaborations and making connections across programs, groups and the organization - Refine and continually optimize processes and procedures in service to our mission and core values
- Develop processes to ensure quality and continuity of organizational resources, documents and assets
- Attend openings, programs and events, including some evenings and weekends
Culture
- Nurture a positive and inclusive workplace culture by developing processes to ensure that CARA’s core values are lived as part of daily workflows, operations, and culture
- Act as culture ombudsman for team and leadership, helping to drive decisions with discretion, effectiveness, and care
- Maintain the organization’s culture guide including team input sessions and annual updates
- Support Executive Director with annual performance reviews, feedback, and periodic check-ins with the team
- Collaborate with Executive and Deputy Directors on hiring and onboarding processes
- Lead the team in wellbeing sessions and other team building activities, working with an external consultant as needed
- Coordinate team trainings such as de-escalation, sexual harassment, etc.
- Work with the Executive Director to design and implement staff retreat
- Keep abreast of emerging nonprofit, organizational, workplace, equity and inclusion best practices and policies, sharing opportunities for training and processes adoption
CORE COMPETENCIES
- Passion for CARA’s mission to expand public discourses and historical records to reflect art’s abundant pasts, presents, and futures
- An emotionally intelligent, values and process-driven leader who can inspire staff and collaborate across departments and at all levels of the organization
- Systems and process-thinker and problem solver who loves creating order out of chaos
- Proactive and adept reader of people who is passionate about supporting team members to maximize their potential
- Possesses a deep commitment to institution building through radical care
- Decisive: ability to work collaboratively in a deadline driven team environment while fostering a positive workplace culture
- Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
- Excellent interpersonal, communication, and follow through skills
- A can-do attitude: enthusiasm, open mindedness, adaptability, and resilience
- Strong organizational and leadership skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines
- Contagious grace under pressure
QUALIFICATIONS
- A bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or comparable experience
- 5-7 years experience working in operations, project management, or human resources at an arts or other nonprofit organization
- Experience designing, operationalizing, and maintaining equitable work practices within an organizational context
- Experience with project management tools and systems
- Experience delivering arts and cultural projects and meeting deadlines within a culture that prizes excellence
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The Head of Operations and Culture position is a full-time, exempt position with a salary range of $80,000 - $85,000 commensurate with experience. This is an on-site position at the organization’s West Village offices. A generous benefits package is included with paid time off, retirement plan, wellness budget, and professional development.
APPLICATION
CARA is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from BIPOC, persons with disabilities, women, LGBTQ+ and other underrepresented applicants. CARA considers all candidates for employment regardless of race or color, religion or creed, alienage or citizenship status, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, domestic partnership status, genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, arrest or pre-employment conviction record, sexual and reproductive health decisions, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter to careers@cara-nyc.org.
Support our Work
CARA receives support from our Board of Directors, Founding Partners and a group of passionately committed individuals and foundations who join us in envisioning a just future in and through the arts. Visit our Supporter's page here.