The Walton Family Foundation (WFF) is seeking a skilled professional to join the Accounting and Operations team as Deputy Director of Operations.
About the Walton Family Foundation
Sam and Helen Walton had an unshakeable belief in the power of people to transform their own lives. As Sam said, there is no limit to what individuals can accomplish if “given the opportunity, the encouragement and the incentive to do their best.” Today that “no limits” philosophy is carried forward by their descendants through the Walton Family Foundation.
During 2018, the foundation plans to invest over $500 million in domestic and international projects that address significant social and environmental issues. The foundation continues to implement and expand grant making to fund a positive difference in many diverse communities – and in the lives of the people who call these communities their home.
Headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas, with offices in Washington, D.C., Jersey City, New Jersey and Denver, Colorado, a staff/consultant base of approximately 110 associates conducts the day-to-day operations of the foundation.
What you’ll do:
The Deputy Director of Operations will oversee operations of information technology including the grant system, conduct data analysis and manage program support staff and facilities in multiple locations. This position will report to the Director of Accounting and Operations. Key areas of responsibility include:
Grants Management:
• Oversee the day to day functions of the grants management teams.
• Play a leadership role in the design and development of new policies and procedures which will change the core grant making processes of the Foundation.
• Refine the structure of the grants management department as needed and clarify the roles and responsibilities of its staff members through this transition period and beyond.
• Advance the culture change throughout the organization that will be necessary to ensure the success of all new grants making policies, systems, and procedures.
• Manage the adoption of new grant making policies and procedures with a goal of increasing consistency of operations throughout the Foundation.
• Responsible for the accuracy of all grant related information and its preparation and transmission internally and externally for all audiences.
• Process improvement: - Leads or participates in initiatives or activities that improve the quality, productivity, and response time of the Foundation’s grants management process, by removing non-value adding activities and costs.
• Work with the IT leader and technology providers to pro-actively research, implement and regularly review technology solutions that increase productivity and accomplish organizational needs and objectives in an efficient and effective manner. This includes ensuring the integrity of data used and maintained by the Foundation’s various information systems.
• Project management: - Practices and operationalizes the principles, techniques, and tools used in planning, controlling, monitoring, and reviewing of projects that are untaken.
Operations Function:
• Coordinates the delivery of cross-functional administrative and project based support.
• Proactively identifies office needs, problems, or issues and resolving them in a timely fashion.
• Systematically develops and monitors the Foundation’s operating policies and procedures to make sure they are in place and operating effectively.
• Assists in designing, issuing and evaluating requests for proposals, negotiating services and contracts with Foundation vendors and consultants to maximize cost savings and ensure an optimal level of service.
• Ensure policies and procedures are in place that will allow for effective data and information management. This would include record retention and archiving of electronic and paper records and communications.
• Is the Foundation’s point person on IT issues and serves as the liaison to the internal IT team and any external IT consultants. Is responsible for: troubleshooting IT issues as they occur, assigning cases to the IT help desk and monitoring the satisfactory resolution of such requests.
• Manages administrative and facilities functions to ensure they are well-organized and provide for consistent operations.
Who we’re looking for:
The Walton Family Foundation is seeking a skilled, highly motivated and entrepreneurial individual to join the foundation’s Bentonville office as a Deputy Director of Operations.
You have these characteristics:
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal. Empathic, collaborative and appropriately persuasive.
• Unquestionable ethics and personal integrity.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically while delivering customized solutions to specific programs and departments.
• Effective team member who is also able to act independently and deliver results
with limited guidance.
• Knowledge of best practices in operational teams and ability to recommend solutions based on organizational needs.
• Incorporate feedback from multiple stakeholders and effectively manage projects from conception to execution.
• A problem solver who is outcome oriented and able to manage multiple tasks and priorities.
• An ambassador with the ability to give and receive feedback graciously.
• Will make a passionate commitment to the goals of the Walton Family Foundation.
Basic Qualifications
The Deputy Director of Operation must possess the following professional qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree and 10+ years of relevant experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Master’s degree preferred.
• Foundation or non-profit experience. Grant Systems Management experience preferred.
