Career and Education

Community Innovation and Action Center

The Operations Lead is a new leadership team member of UMSL's Community Innovation and Action Center (CIAC), which serves as a convener, collaborator, evaluator, data strategist, facilitator, and research partner across UMSL and the St. Louis Region -- including leading the St. Louis Regional Data Alliance and Coro Fellowship and supporting a variety of efforts with the Children's Funding Project, St. Louis City and County, St. Louis Community Information Exchange, the St. Louis System of Care, St. Louis Mental Health Board, and the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). CIAC works to support UMSL's mission to deliver exceptional educational, research, and engagement experiences that inform, prepare, challenge, and inspire across the region and state.

In addition to developing and supporting CIAC's overall operational strategy, this Lead role will be primarily responsible for overseeing outreach, registration, and community leadership training activities for early childhood administrators across the State of Missouri (sponsored by DESE in partnership with the University of Missouri - Kansas City). These responsibilities include designing/managing implementation plans, monitoring progress, managing budgets, organizing stakeholder communications, facilitating meetings, implementing continuous improvement strategies, and other key operational tasks. Such activities are not only critical for the DESE project, but can also be applied to other CIAC projects and processes in pursuit of more collaborative, effective, and equitable community and university partnerships.

CIAC aims for the Operations Lead to be a permanent position, and it is currently supported by grants for its first two years while working closely with the rest of the leadership team on a long-term sustainability plan. Pay for CIAC Lead roles is $70,000 - $80,000 annually with competitive benefits. Together with four additional CIAC Leads and its two Co-Directors, this role will help build a collaborative, equitable, and exciting approach to university projects and partnerships that is deeply responsive to community priorities. This is a hybrid position.

Position is open until filled, though preference is given to candidates who apply before Wednesday, February 1st, 2023.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. The University will not sponsor applicants for this position for employment visas.

40 hours/week

Pay for CIAC Lead roles is $70,000 - $80,000 annually.
Grade: 11
University Title: Director, Program/Project Operations

A Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience and at least 5 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary.

• 5+ years of professional experience working in local government, nonprofit management, academia, community development, social entrepreneurship, partnership management, or a related field.
• Substantial knowledge of operational design and management at a university, consulting firm, or similar project-based workplace
• Knowledge of the early childhood ecosystem, including how administrative responsibilities and state policy impacts community-based centers
• Demonstrated leadership of collaborative projects with diverse stakeholders
• Ability to navigate university contexts and incentive structures

Position Specific Qualifications:

• Has a Master's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience in public/business administration, public health, public policy, urban planning, social work, education or a related field
• Serve as lead staff for specific CIAC projects, initially a state-wide early childhood provider administrator training effort, where they will have demonstrated experience and/or an ability to:
  • design and manage implementation plans;
  • monitor timelines and progress;
  • manage project budget;
  • communicate with key internal and external stakeholders;
  • facilitate team meetings;
  • participate in meetings with external stakeholders;
  • monitor for gaps and bottlenecks;
  • provide project updates as needed;
  • complete implementation tasks as needed.
• Supervise and support direct reports and manage hiring processes, as needed.
• Manage Center-wide operational systems, including but not limited to: computers and other technology, software, subscriptions (project management tools, CRM, Microsoft 365, etc.), office space, utilities, and office supplies.

Qualifications for All CIAC Leads:

• Ability to serve on the CIAC leadership team, including: collaborate with other CIAC leads to promote effective Center strategy, processes, and culture; represent CIAC at community and university meetings; assist with fundraising and development activities as needed.
• Experience developing trusting collaborative relationships with community coalitions, partners, and stakeholders
• Experience facilitating action among a diverse collection of community stakeholders -- including professionals at nonprofits and local governments, neighborhood advocates, academics, consultants, technologists, and students
• Experience applying racial and social equity frameworks to community projects
• Has strong verbal and written communication skills
• Can manage projects independently and transparently
• Can assist with developing funding strategies, proposals, and presentations
• Demonstrates commitment and ability to work collaboratively across emerging projects

Demonstrated critical thinking and problem solving skills

Applicants must prepare a cover letter, current resume and list of three references. Documents should be packaged as a single PDF and submitted through http://umsl.jobs

As one of the most culturally and ethnically diverse campuses in Missouri, UMSL is committed to maintaining a climate where all students, faculty, staff and visitors can explore their interests, refine their talents and flourish. Inclusive excellence is embedded in our strategic plan which focuses on actions to recruit and retain diverse students and employees and promote activities that encourage civil and constructive discourse, reasoned thought and sustained dialogue in an environment of inclusion, respect and appreciation.

The University of Missouri - St. Louis offers benefit-eligible employees a wide variety of benefits including: health, dental and vision coverage effective on the first day of employment, retirement, paid time off, tuition assistance for employees and their dependents and employee and dependent life insurance. For more information about our benefits, please visit:

https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits

Diversity Commitment

Equal Opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without unlawful discrimination on the basis of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable state or federal law. This policy shall not be interpreted in such a manner as to violate the legal rights of religious organizations or the recruiting rights of military organizations associated with the Armed Forces or the Department of Homeland Security of the United States of America.

EEO IS THE LAW

To read more about Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) please use the following links:

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