Director of Operations

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

JOB DESCRIPTION

​​Mission Statement:

Project SAGE creates social change to end interpersonal relationship violence by challenging attitudes and beliefs about power, control, and gender norms and by advocating for victims and survivors.

About Project SAGE (formerly Women’s Support Services)

According to the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in three women and one in four men in the United States have experienced severe physical violence by an intimate partner. With a powerful mission to create social change that ends interpersonal relationship violence, Project SAGE challenges attitudes and beliefs about power, control, and gender norms and advocates for victims and survivors. Serving six towns in the Northwest Connecticut community, the agency supports survivors, raises awareness through education and training, and challenges community businesses, providers, schools, and others to do better by victims and survivors in all they do.

For over 40 years, Project SAGE has worked towards their vision of a world in which everyone can be themselves and have healthy relationships. Last year, Project SAGE provided:

• Emergency shelter for 28 clients, collectively over 1400 nights of shelter
• Direct Services to approximately 800 adult and youth clients
• Support and advocacy for 558 victims of family violence in Criminal and Civil Court
• Responses to 1,884 hotline crisis requests
• Prevention education workshops that meet CT education standards in all grade 6-12 classrooms in Region 1 schools
• 46 workshops/trainings for adults, with attendance of over 400 people
• 317 prevention workshops for children and teens in local schools and daycare programs

Project SAGE is located in Lakeville, CT. Part of Litchfield County, Lakeville is one of the best places to live in Connecticut. It's known for its peaceful atmosphere, scenic beauty, beautiful vistas, pristine lakes and historic charm. It’s convenient to the Appalachian Trail, mountains for hiking and skiing, lakes for fishing and canoeing, and numerous art and music venues. 

In February 2022, Project SAGE moved to a spacious, bright, new, accessible space with increased capacity for client services and staff needs. We are now embarking on the second phase of the building renovation, which will provide more room for expanding staff and offer warm, welcoming spaces in which to meet the diverse and often urgent needs of clients, foster the healthy development of youth, and provide a dynamic space for training, engagement, and community collaborations.

With a current annual budget of $1.5 million, Project SAGE has recently experienced significant growth and has a strong foundation—both in terms of reputation and revenue generation—on which to continue to increase our impact. With a committed Board of 17 members and staff of 12, last year, the agency raised 36% of its revenue from individual and institutional donors, 35% from state and federal funding, and 29% from their nationally acclaimed annual event, Trade Secrets, which will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2025. 

Project SAGE is one of the 18 members of CCADV, the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence. 

Statement of Principles

Cooperation and Mutual Respect

Project SAGE is committed to the development of each person’s full potential and the dignity and worth of each individual’s talents and contributions. Relations among staff, between staff and Board, and with volunteers will be guided by cooperation and mutual respect.

Collaboration and Communication

Project SAGE strives to maintain a supportive and collaborative environment where each person can bring their best to the work and mission of Project SAGE. Project SAGE values honest, direct, and respectful communication among staff, volunteers, and Board members. 

Strength in Diversity 

Project SAGE believes honoring diversity and striving for inclusiveness are values of strength that contribute positively to the work and mission of Project SAGE.

About the Position

The Director of Operations oversees Human Resources, Finance, and Administration. Working closely with the Executive Director, the Director of Operations creates, maintains, and implements processes and policies across those three areas to ensure the agency’s success and advance the agency’s mission and vision. 

Project SAGE works 37.5 hours per week. This is a full-time exempt position. 

This position reports directly to the Executive Director and directly supervises the Office Manager.

Key Responsibilities

Human Resources

• Act as primary point person to identify and work with Project SAGE’s HR Consultant
• Work with Executive Director to ensure Project SAGE fosters a supportive and responsive work environment for a diverse group of employees; support opportunities for staff development and team building
• Ensure compliance with city, state, and federal protocols across all activities, keeping abreast of changing laws, policies, and best practices; modify existing and develop new internal policies as needed
• Develop and oversee all hiring, onboarding, and off-boarding processes
• Work with Executive Director to oversee the annual review process
• Advise on, develop/refine, and implement sustainable HR systems and protocols
• Work with Executive Director to address and resolve management and employee relations issues
• Apply increasingly sophisticated business practices to increase capability and efficiency

Finance

• Act as primary point person for Project SAGE’s outsourced accounting firm; ensure accurate and timely financial statements
• Provide quarterly financial analysis versus budget and prior year to Finance Committee; monthly internal review with Executive Director
• Promote and maintain an organization-wide culture of exemplary fiscal responsibility based on transparency, accuracy, timeliness, and compliance
• Partner with Executive Director to assess, improve, create and maintain excellent financial controls, policies, and procedures
• Oversee and process payroll
• Oversee the annual finance planning/budgeting processes and lead the creation of the annual organizational budget, in close collaboration with the Executive Director and Finance Committee, providing guidance for all staff with budget oversight responsibilities
• Lead strategic and multi-year budgeting and financial forecasting, with an eye towards thoughtful growth
• Manage cash flow
• Coordinate and manage the annual audit and the preparation and submission of the IRS 990 and all other tax related reporting
• Review allowable costs and submit required financial reports for state and federal grants; track reporting of project/program budgets and expenditures
• Work with the development team for timely grant proposals and reports; collaborate to ensure accurate data and transfer between data management and accounting system

Administration

• Increase efficiency and streamline workflow in the workplace
• Mentor and develop Office Manager
• Ensure that online and paper filing systems are organized, complete, and current; with support from the Office Manager and in accordance with Project SAGE’s Document Retention and Destruction Policy
• In collaboration with the Executive Director, evaluate and investigate hybrid work possibilities in a changing office culture—balancing flexibility with in-person client accessibility requirements.

Special Requirements: 

• Obtain and maintain certification as a domestic violence counselor per CGS 52-146k (Project SAGE provides training) 
• Maintain client confidentiality subject to Project SAGE’s confidentiality and mandatory reporting policies and the provisions of CGS 52-146k privileged communications between domestic violence counselors and victims

General Requirements

• Participate in Project SAGE community outreach efforts
• Attend and participate in Project SAGE staff meetings and trainings
• Perform other agreed upon projects and duties as assigned by the Executive Director

Key Qualifications

• Enthusiasm about working and collaborating with a small team at a mission-driven organization
• Ability to exercise a high level of discretion in both internal and external interactions.
• Self-motivated and self-directed to complete tasks in a timely and accurate manner.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Meticulous attention to detail with superb organizational skills
• Prioritize clarity and accuracy in all communications
• Ability to maintain and complete timely, accurate statistical and narrative reports  
• Diligent in follow through with a growth mindset
• Maintains calm and steadiness and has the ability to establish and maintain effective interpersonal working relationships with the Board of Directors, staff, volunteers, community groups, and other related agencies 
• Can translate financial reports into understandable narratives for a variety of stakeholders

Key Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management, Business Administration, Finance/Accounting, or similar field
• Experience in the human resources field, labor relations and compliance, and compensation and employee benefit programs administration (Connecticut expertise preferred but not necessary)
• Demonstrated history of success as an effective supervisor
• Knowledge of HR systems and databases
• Experience as a Finance Manager 
• Understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
• Applicants should be strong systems thinkers and tech-savvy, i.e. understand how systems “talk” to one another

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $68,000-$72,000. The successful candidate’s starting salary will be determined commensurate with experience, competencies, and skillset. Project SAGE has a comprehensive benefits package, including a 4% retirement match, expansive health insurance, flexible spending account, life insurance, 12 paid holidays and four weeks of vacation annually. To view the living wage in Litchfield County, visit the MIT Living Wage Calculator. 

The position is locally based. All work will be on site. Project SAGE is currently undergoing initial exploratory work around remote work possibilities. The Director of Operations should have the ability to travel as needed in their scope of service to Project SAGE; therefore, a valid driver’s license and current certificate of insurance is required.

How to apply:

Please send your resume and a short cover letter or video explaining why this position appeals to you at this point in your life and career to careers@project-sage.org. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled and will begin to be reviewed immediately. 

Project SAGE is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, learning, intellectual disability, learning disability, physical disability (including, but not limited to, blindness), present or past history of mental disability, having opposed or complained of such conduct believed to be discriminatory (i.e., retaliation), genetic information, prior conviction of a crime, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws and ordinances. Project SAGE’s management team is dedicated to this policy with respect to any of its activities, including but not limited to selection of its volunteers and vendors, recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, access to facilities and programs and general treatment during employment.

Research indicates that men apply for jobs when they fulfill an average of 60% of the criteria, while individuals from historically underestimated communities tend to apply only if they meet every requirement. Project SAGE is committed to creating, maintaining, and learning about a diverse and inclusive working space and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply.