Big Shoulders Fund
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Manager, Talent & Strategy at Big Shoulders Fund INTERESTED CANDIDATES:
Please send resume and brief statement of interest to hiring manager Abby Cohen at acohen@bigshouldersfund.org
Job Title:
Operations Director
Employed by: Archdiocese of Chicago
Supported by: Big Shoulders Fund
Reports to: Principals at multiple schools
Date: Winter 2025
Big Shoulders Fund
Big Shoulders Fund is an independent tax-exempt charitable organization that provides support to Catholic schools with demonstrated need which provide a quality, values-based education for children. We serve 25,000 students and 90 schools in the Chicago and Northwest Indiana regions. Each school is a vital community-based organization and an anchor to its surrounding neighborhoods.
For thirty-nine years, Big Shoulders Fund has helped Chicago’s children achieve their dreams through access to high quality education. Of the 25,000 students we serve, 83% identify as people of color and 69% reside in low-income households. We expand access and outcomes by investing more than $40 million annually in scholarship support and enrichment programming for students; operational improvements for schools; cultivation of talent pipelines for school personnel from new teachers through veteran principals; and professional development and support for educators and leaders – all with the goal of not just strengthening schools, but whole communities, while preparing students for life-long success. To that end, 80% of scholars matriculate to college and students earn a degree at two times the national average. Latino and Black scholars graduate at three-times and four-times their counterparts, respectively, and graduates go on to vote, contribute, and participate at greater rates than local and national outcomes.
Big Shoulders Fund has earned a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, America’s largest evaluator of nonprofits, for 19 consecutive years, a distinction held by less than one percent of nonprofit organizations nationally.
POSITION OVERVIEW
Big Shoulders Fund is seeking candidates for the position of Operations Director to begin in Winter 2025.
Ideal candidates should be committed to promoting equitable education in a Catholic setting, serving Big Shoulders Fund Plus elementary schools. The Operations Director will work closely with the Managing Director, School Operations & Patrons at Big Shoulders Fund while being employed by the schools as part of the Archdiocese of Chicago, and report to the principals of each school. Special projects featured in this role include: tuition management; payroll and financial management; grants administration; and other systems & operations management.
This role will require the ability to report to multiple school principals at one time, while building effective relationships with additional key stakeholders such as school staff, Big Shoulders Fund team members, Archdiocesan staff, families and community members.
REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES:
The list below contains responsibilities characteristic of the role, though it is not necessarily an exhaustive list. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this classification.
NOTE: This role works on a year-round administrative schedule with school holidays and two weeks of summer vacation
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS Finance & Purchasing & Development
Oversees management of school bank accounts
Handles bookkeeping entries including but not limited to functions such as reconciling payables and receivables on a monthly basis
Submits financial documents to the designated school administrator for review and approval as needed
Processes incoming invoices and bills. Assigns codes to revenue and expenses. Ensures bills are paid in a timely manner
Oversees relations with vendors to ensure reliability, performance, and cost-efficiency of relationships
Maintains financial records and processes according to best practices, policies and procedures
Maintains communication with the school and Big Shoulders Fund concerning the school’s financial position
Provides donation reports quarterly or as needed
Assists as needed in annual budget process
Supports the month-end and year-end close processes
Heading into a new school year, proactively reaches out to principal for planning session, places orders well in advance, and generally does “whatever it takes” to ensure school is fully stocked and set up by the first day of classes
Maintains alumni and friends donor database via Excel, including donation amounts and donor contact information
Engages major donor strategy in collaboration with the principal
Compliance
Supports compliance submissions as needed
Facilities & Maintenance
Manages capital projects including working with the Archdiocese and Big Shoulders Fund as needed to complete building repairs
Human Resources
Works with school principal to ensure payroll is accurate and processed on time
Serves as primary administrator for school payroll
Updates payroll system for any changes in employee roster, etc.
Submits necessary HR paperwork to Arch as needed for new hires, terminations, changes, etc.
Designs, implements and leads processes for school-based onboarding and offboarding of staff
Tuition Management
Leads and oversees the school’s tuition management system and leading in the collection of delinquent tuition
Provides the school administrator with bi-weekly reports on the status of the collection of tuition and fees
Oversees student accounting function, building/maintaining tuition plans, collections, and the management of financial aid awards
Understands the role of the business office with respect to admissions and student retention
Reviews and assesses FACTS family aid applications with school leadership to ensure equitable allocation of tuition assistance funds; consults with principal as needed and for ultimate approval
Manages all facets financial aid process including action for children options
Restructures tuition / financial aid packages as family circumstances change
Ensures tuition collection rate gets to and remains at least 85%
Inputs all finalized tuition plans into FACTS
Special Considerations
This role has a school-based focus; amount of time spent in each school can change over time
Job duties and projects may also change over time to meet the changing needs of schools
ADDITIONAL EXPECTATIONS
Demonstrates strength and skill in interacting with others, especially teachers, principals, students, and families from diverse cultural, economic, and ability backgrounds
Holds a commitment to excellent customer service, promptly returning phone calls and answering emails
Works cooperatively with Big Shoulders Fund staff in Chicago, and performs other duties as assigned in support of the overall mission of the Big Shoulders Fund
NOTE: Position requires availability for some extended hours plus non-traditional hours required to perform job duties. Some participation and attendance at school-sponsored events and meetings is required
QUALITIES OF THE CANDIDATE WE SEEK
3+ years of professional experience
Exceptional organizational, problem solving, and time management skills; ability to set priorities among competing activities
Access to reliable transportation required
Strength in establishing and maintaining cooperative and effective working relationships with others
Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills
High degree of responsibility, initiative, and professionalism
Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel; experience in database management
Appreciation for the benefits of a Catholic education for students, families and communities; familiarity with Catholic schools in Chicago a plus though not required; experience with education a plus
Cultural sensitivity and ability to work collaboratively with diverse groups of people
Commitment to and passion for improving access to high-quality, values-based education options for all children
Highly motivated and adaptable with a strong work ethic; operate with honesty, integrity, and a positive attitude
Position requires availability for some extended hours plus non-traditional hours required to perform job duties. Some participation and attendance at school-sponsored events and meetings is required
NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties to meet the ongoing needs of the organization and the students/schools it serves.
COMPENSATION
This is a full time position starting at $50,000 annually based on experience and qualifications
Seniority level Not Applicable
Employment type Full-time
Job function Administrative
Industries Non-profit Organization Management
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Manager, Talent & Strategy at Big Shoulders Fund INTERESTED CANDIDATES:
Please send resume and brief statement of interest to hiring manager Abby Cohen at acohen@bigshouldersfund.org
Job Title:
Operations Director
Employed by: Archdiocese of Chicago
Supported by: Big Shoulders Fund
Reports to: Principals at multiple schools
Date: Winter 2025
Big Shoulders Fund
Big Shoulders Fund is an independent tax-exempt charitable organization that provides support to Catholic schools with demonstrated need which provide a quality, values-based education for children. We serve 25,000 students and 90 schools in the Chicago and Northwest Indiana regions. Each school is a vital community-based organization and an anchor to its surrounding neighborhoods.
For thirty-nine years, Big Shoulders Fund has helped Chicago’s children achieve their dreams through access to high quality education. Of the 25,000 students we serve, 83% identify as people of color and 69% reside in low-income households. We expand access and outcomes by investing more than $40 million annually in scholarship support and enrichment programming for students; operational improvements for schools; cultivation of talent pipelines for school personnel from new teachers through veteran principals; and professional development and support for educators and leaders – all with the goal of not just strengthening schools, but whole communities, while preparing students for life-long success. To that end, 80% of scholars matriculate to college and students earn a degree at two times the national average. Latino and Black scholars graduate at three-times and four-times their counterparts, respectively, and graduates go on to vote, contribute, and participate at greater rates than local and national outcomes.
Big Shoulders Fund has earned a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, America’s largest evaluator of nonprofits, for 19 consecutive years, a distinction held by less than one percent of nonprofit organizations nationally.
POSITION OVERVIEW
Big Shoulders Fund is seeking candidates for the position of Operations Director to begin in Winter 2025.
Ideal candidates should be committed to promoting equitable education in a Catholic setting, serving Big Shoulders Fund Plus elementary schools. The Operations Director will work closely with the Managing Director, School Operations & Patrons at Big Shoulders Fund while being employed by the schools as part of the Archdiocese of Chicago, and report to the principals of each school. Special projects featured in this role include: tuition management; payroll and financial management; grants administration; and other systems & operations management.
This role will require the ability to report to multiple school principals at one time, while building effective relationships with additional key stakeholders such as school staff, Big Shoulders Fund team members, Archdiocesan staff, families and community members.
REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES:
The list below contains responsibilities characteristic of the role, though it is not necessarily an exhaustive list. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this classification.
NOTE: This role works on a year-round administrative schedule with school holidays and two weeks of summer vacation
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS Finance & Purchasing & Development
Oversees management of school bank accounts
Handles bookkeeping entries including but not limited to functions such as reconciling payables and receivables on a monthly basis
Submits financial documents to the designated school administrator for review and approval as needed
Processes incoming invoices and bills. Assigns codes to revenue and expenses. Ensures bills are paid in a timely manner
Oversees relations with vendors to ensure reliability, performance, and cost-efficiency of relationships
Maintains financial records and processes according to best practices, policies and procedures
Maintains communication with the school and Big Shoulders Fund concerning the school’s financial position
Provides donation reports quarterly or as needed
Assists as needed in annual budget process
Supports the month-end and year-end close processes
Heading into a new school year, proactively reaches out to principal for planning session, places orders well in advance, and generally does “whatever it takes” to ensure school is fully stocked and set up by the first day of classes
Maintains alumni and friends donor database via Excel, including donation amounts and donor contact information
Engages major donor strategy in collaboration with the principal
Compliance
Supports compliance submissions as needed
Facilities & Maintenance
Manages capital projects including working with the Archdiocese and Big Shoulders Fund as needed to complete building repairs
Human Resources
Works with school principal to ensure payroll is accurate and processed on time
Serves as primary administrator for school payroll
Updates payroll system for any changes in employee roster, etc.
Submits necessary HR paperwork to Arch as needed for new hires, terminations, changes, etc.
Designs, implements and leads processes for school-based onboarding and offboarding of staff
Tuition Management
Leads and oversees the school’s tuition management system and leading in the collection of delinquent tuition
Provides the school administrator with bi-weekly reports on the status of the collection of tuition and fees
Oversees student accounting function, building/maintaining tuition plans, collections, and the management of financial aid awards
Understands the role of the business office with respect to admissions and student retention
Reviews and assesses FACTS family aid applications with school leadership to ensure equitable allocation of tuition assistance funds; consults with principal as needed and for ultimate approval
Manages all facets financial aid process including action for children options
Restructures tuition / financial aid packages as family circumstances change
Ensures tuition collection rate gets to and remains at least 85%
Inputs all finalized tuition plans into FACTS
Special Considerations
This role has a school-based focus; amount of time spent in each school can change over time
Job duties and projects may also change over time to meet the changing needs of schools
ADDITIONAL EXPECTATIONS
Demonstrates strength and skill in interacting with others, especially teachers, principals, students, and families from diverse cultural, economic, and ability backgrounds
Holds a commitment to excellent customer service, promptly returning phone calls and answering emails
Works cooperatively with Big Shoulders Fund staff in Chicago, and performs other duties as assigned in support of the overall mission of the Big Shoulders Fund
NOTE: Position requires availability for some extended hours plus non-traditional hours required to perform job duties. Some participation and attendance at school-sponsored events and meetings is required
QUALITIES OF THE CANDIDATE WE SEEK
3+ years of professional experience
Exceptional organizational, problem solving, and time management skills; ability to set priorities among competing activities
Access to reliable transportation required
Strength in establishing and maintaining cooperative and effective working relationships with others
Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills
High degree of responsibility, initiative, and professionalism
Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel; experience in database management
Appreciation for the benefits of a Catholic education for students, families and communities; familiarity with Catholic schools in Chicago a plus though not required; experience with education a plus
Cultural sensitivity and ability to work collaboratively with diverse groups of people
Commitment to and passion for improving access to high-quality, values-based education options for all children
Highly motivated and adaptable with a strong work ethic; operate with honesty, integrity, and a positive attitude
Position requires availability for some extended hours plus non-traditional hours required to perform job duties. Some participation and attendance at school-sponsored events and meetings is required
NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties to meet the ongoing needs of the organization and the students/schools it serves.
COMPENSATION
This is a full time position starting at $50,000 annually based on experience and qualifications
Seniority level Not Applicable
Employment type Full-time
Job function Administrative
Industries Non-profit Organization Management
#J-18808-Ljbffr