Director of Operations

ABOUT RIVERBEND

Riverbend Environmental Education Center connects people to nature, equitably advancing environmental literacy through outdoor STEM education and free play in nature while empowering children and adults to take action to conserve Earth's resources.

Riverbend has been a leader in environmental education for children in the greater Philadelphia area for 50 years.  Central to Riverbend’s mission is fostering the appreciation needed to protect our natural world. Our goal is to get children out of the classroom and into the outdoors to make science come to life.  Our office and nature preserve--one of only a dozen in the greater Philadelphia region--is situated on 30 acres in Gladwyne, PA, and is home to some of Southeastern Pennsylvania’s most traveled native walking trails, ponds, woodlands, an aquaponics greenhouse, a meadow habitat and a stream. Students from across the region visit on field trips, and we travel to bring schools Riverbend’s award-winning education programs. Last year, 68% of our programs were delivered for free to children in low-income schools.

The Riverbend Environmental Center has 12 FT employees, engages 200 volunteers and hosts 7,000 students and guests annually.  Experiencing robust growth in the last two years, Riverbend’s annual budget is now $1.1 million with an operating reserve of $1 million. Riverbend is the principal owner of maintenance and preservation of two historic structures (Barn, Farmhouse) and a 30-acre nature preserve with several outdoor classroom areas.

ABOUT THE POSITION:

The Director of Operations is a key leadership role responsible for overseeing the daily operations and ensuring the effective functioning of Riverbend. This position manages various areas, including facilities management, renovations, HR benefits, budget development, policy reviews, and safety compliance. The Director of Operations works closely with other department heads to implement strategic initiatives, manage staff, and optimize organizational processes to support the mission of Riverbend.

This is an outstanding opportunity for a strategic and experienced executive leader, with a proven track record of creative problem-solving and people and change management, to join a high-growth team of dedicated advocates working to serve children and preserve the natural resources that sustain us all.

The ideal candidate should have demonstrated experience in progressive leadership roles with education, environmental, and/or nonprofit youth serving organizations, preferably having worked their way up to an executive role.  In line with Riverbend’s current expansion, the DO is a position with growth potential.

Duties: 

Work with the Executive Director and Board of Directors in setting and driving the organizational vision and operations strategy

Translate strategic plan goals into actionable steps for growth, implementing organization-wide financial goal setting via, performance tracking, and annual operations planning and budgeting

Ensure compliance with national and local business regulations, and take appropriate action when necessary

The ideal candidate enjoys problem-solving and thrives on variety. On any typical day, the Director of Operations could review the education team’s last quarter expenses to align with annual goals, assess frog pond performance with our Education Manager to confirm the new pond pump is meeting the student needs, troubleshoot and improve an internal record-keeping system, craft a Board-facing fiscal report from data supplied by the bookkeeper, negotiate a better deal with an HVAC contractor, lead a tour of the preserve for new Property Council members, or implement an HR policy revision to advance the Board’s DEI strategic goals.

FACILITIES MANAGEMENT: 

• Lead and manage all aspects of property maintenance, overseeing contracted labor.

• Serve as the Project Manager overseeing architects and contractors on an upcoming major renovation project; review proposals

• Serve on the Property Council and work hand-in-hand with the Council Chairperson to run those meetings

• Present updates at the quarterly Board meetings

• Work with our staff (Habitat Manager, Office Manager, Fellows) to accomplish the above

• Manage safety protocols, ensuring staff compliance with relevant codes and safety planning

• Develop and manage annual budget for all of the above

• Conduct policy reviews to support the people, places, and programs that drive Riverbend’s mission.

FINANCIAL Management:

• Spearhead grant reporting on grants for facilities & renovations

• Review and analyze financial data, including credit card use, supply budgets, etc.

• Research and implement sustainable benefits plans for the staff.

• Collaborate with the finance team on annual finance reporting & audits as needed.

HUMAN RESOURCES:

Interface with benefits providers on behalf of the organization.

Interface with external HR consulting as necessary.

Manage time audits, comp time, and PTO tracking for your direct reports.

Provide staff development and performance reviews of your direct reports.

Oversee HR projects, including payroll systems and ensuring staff e-onboarding systems are operational by set deadlines.

OTHER DUTIES: Manage special projects and ad-hoc tasks such as policy reviews, as assigned.

Qualifications/REQUIREMENTS:

Proven experience as an Operations Director, or relevant non-profit role (8+ years)

Past experience in leadership roles

Competency in business functions such as staff and project management

Demonstrable competency managing a facility and overseeing renovations

Working knowledge of data analysis and performance/operation metrics

Working knowledge of IT/Business infrastructure, MS Office, Google Suite

Demonstrated passion for environmental sustainability, and experience with and/or knowledge of environmental and sustainability issues (energy use, etc.)

Previous experience with vendor contract proposals, including negotiation of such proposals.

Strong analytical, cost control, and critical thinking skills necessary to conceptualize ideas with foresight and mature judgment.

Aptitude in risk management, decision-making and problem-solving

Considers a broad range of internal and external factors when problem solving, exhibits strong relationship building skills, including a positive attitude and ability to work effectively with others

Successful completion of pre-employment screening including drug test and Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance and criminal background check.

A valid Driver’s License is preferred and ability to travel occasionally to offsite locations

Bachelor’s Degree or Equivalent is required; College-level training in Public Administration, Finance, or Facility Management will elevate your application. 

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

$70,000 - $85,000 commensurate with experience

Hybrid work schedule, minimum 3 days per week in office

Health and dental

Disability and life insurance

Generous paid sick time and vacation policy, plus 10 paid federal holidays

Riverbend Values:

Excellence in environmental education

Equitable access to nature

Personal well-being

Environmental stewardship

Responsible governance

Fun! 
 

Riverbend work culture:

We offer remote and hybrid work schedules

We hold our meetings outdoors in spring, summer, and fall

Our Board and Staff are driven to advance equity and achieve our DEI Plan goals

On work breaks, we encourage our team members to enjoy a hike through the woods!

DEI & Equal Opportunity Employment: Riverbend Environmental Education Center (“Riverbend”) is committed to creating and maintaining an environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. As environmental educators, we know that natural environments with greater biodiversity are stronger and more resilient. In turn, we aspire to be an ever more diverse, inclusive, and equitable organization. Riverbend is an equal-opportunity employer and educational institution and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices. See more about the Riverbend DEI Plan here.

Riverbend’s works take place across our property, where our team members:

Split between their time between our onsite facilities, the administrative offices, the Barn and outdoor trails, meadows and water areas.

Staff regularly are required to walk trails with lots of hills and uneven ground.

This is a hands-on and fun-loving place to work. If you're ready to educate the next generation, tackle varied challenges and apply your creativity and expertise, please apply!