Director of People and Operations

The Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR) has an immediate opening for a Director of People and Operations. This is a full-time position, with the option to work from our Washington D.C. office (fully or in a hybrid setup) or remotely in the United States. 

Job Description:

The Director of People and Operations is a key leadership role, working closely with the Director of Finance and Administration, the management team and staff. The Director will report to a member of the org-wide management team.

Duties:

• Develop and implement effective recruitment strategies.
• Develop and implement standardized onboarding and offboarding procedures, for staff and contractual positions, to ensure consistency.
• Lead with orientation of new staff, including providing information and guidance regarding the organization’s retirement plan.
• Lead and handle employee experience and engagement initiatives such as coordinating the bi-weekly All Staff meetings, professional development, advising on personal issues impacting work, liaising with the union, celebrating birthdays, etc.
• Lead in benefits management, including the enrollment process (working with our broker), administration and internal communication/coordination.
• Manage the full contract lifecycle for contractual roles and positions, including drafting agreements, facilitating approvals, and executing contracts. Track and verify invoices and payments against contractual terms.
• Ensure organizational compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by advising on reasonable accommodations, accessibility requirements for employees with disabilities, and confidentiality of health and disability information.
• Mediate, counsel and collaborate with management and staff members to address employee concerns, conflicts, grievances, and disciplinary matters in a fair and consistent manner.
• Lead in remote and physical workplace needs. Manage and administer the organization’s online workspace platforms. Liaise with the IT contractor to assess technology needs and address issues. Manage subscriptions. Address physical office needs.
• Oversee the organization’s annual performance review process. For all new hires, develop and implement the review process for the probationary period.
• Collaborate with the management team on Board Meeting logistics.
• Ensure organizational compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and standards, including assisting with employee applications to paid family and medical leave programs. Conduct training and provide guidance to managers and employees on compliance with applicable laws.
• Design and implement key administrative processes including management of staff directory, employee data, and organization wide documents and calendars.
• Be the first point of contact for staff for all requests to the administrative team.

Qualifications:

• 7+ years experience with a background in the duties listed above.
• Proven track record of developing, managing and executing organization-wide plans with demonstrated leadership skills and integrity.
• Adeptness in handling multiple projects in an energetic workplace.
• Excellent collaborative problem-solving skills.
• Proficient in both autonomous and cooperative work styles, with the ability to connect with diverse personalities across the organization, as well as external stakeholders.
• Excellent verbal communication and writing skills, with flexibility to collaborate remotely across time zones and borders.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to handle confidential matters and information professionally.
• A shared commitment to CEPR’s mission and values.
• A sense of humor.

Applicants affected by the issues that CEPR works on are especially encouraged to apply.

Compensation: CEPR offers a competitive salary and an excellent benefits package. The minimum starting salary is $87,319.23 annually; however, this is only a minimum and the actual salary can be substantially higher depending on experience and qualifications.

Closing Date of Position: Applications will be accepted until August 30 2024 (at 11:59 PM, Eastern time).

In rare, extenuating circumstances, the application period may be extended or shortened. In the event that the application period is shortened, CEPR will update this posting to notify candidates that they have seven calendar days remaining to apply.

To Apply: Submit the following, in a single PDF file with the document title “(Full Name)_International Program Fellow_Application” via CEPR’s ONLINE APPLICATION:

• a cover letter;
• a résumé, and;
• a description (no more than 1,000 words) of 3 work projects that highlight one or more of the qualifications requested above and in which you played a central role.

Please do not use ChatGPT or other AI writing generators in writing responses and do not submit additional information apart from the items listed above. You may address your cover letter to the Director of People and Operations Search Committee, if you wish.

Search committees usually make a decision within 1-2 months of the deadline of the application. If you have any questions, please email [email protected]. Absolutely no calls, faxes, or additional emails please.

Organization Description: CEPR was established in 1999 to promote democratic debate on the most important economic and social issues that affect people’s lives. In order for citizens to effectively exercise their voices in a democracy, it is necessary that they be informed about the problems and choices that they face. An informed public should then be able to choose policies that lead to an improving quality of life, both for people within the United States, and around the world.

Toward this end, CEPR conducts both professional research and public education so that the public is better prepared to choose among the various policy options. The professional research is oriented towards filling important gaps in the understanding of particular economic and social problems, or the impact of specific policies, both domestically and globally. The public education portion of CEPR’s mission is to present the findings of professional research, both by CEPR and others, in a manner that allows broad segments of the public to know exactly what is at stake in major policy debates. As part of its public education initiative, CEPR utilizes research findings and analysis to challenge the myths, assumptions, policies and institutions that perpetuate economic and social inequality.

CEPR’s founding scholars include Dean Baker and Mark Weisbrot, and Robert Pollin, Professor of Economics, University of Massachusetts.

CEPR is an equal opportunity employer that considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, or any legally protected status. Women and minorities are strongly encouraged to apply.