Director of Administration (AF)

About Arcus Foundation

Founded in 2000, the Arcus Foundation is a private, grant-making foundation dedicated to the idea that people can live in harmony with one another and the natural world. Arcus’ work is based on the belief that respect for diversity among peoples and in nature is essential to a positive future for our planet and all of its inhabitants. For nearly two decades, Arcus has been a driving force behind groundbreaking work to ensure equality for LGBTQ+ people around the world and to protect and enhance the lives of the world’s great apes and gibbons. The Foundation works globally and has offices in New York City and Cambridge, United Kingdom.

The Arcus Foundation staff and Board of Directors are a diverse group, reflecting the diversity inherent in the world the Foundation’s work supports. The mission is driven by the vision of Arcus’ founder, Jon Stryker, and by a shared dedication to the emergent global human rights and conservation movements. With a deep commitment to integrity, humility, and collaboration, the leadership and staff of the Arcus Foundation hold each other accountable for implementing the Arcus mission. This includes practicing shared leadership and recognizing, celebrating, and taking collective ownership of Arcus’ success and learnings. The Arcus Foundation prioritizes strategic and rational decision making and advancing equity for those most marginalized, both internally and in its grantmaking. These values encourage all staff to take informed risks, proactively ‘course-correct’ when needed, and to efficiently manage resources so that those Arcus serves will benefit.

For more information on Arcus Foundation, please visit www.arcusfoundation.org.

The Opportunity

Arcus Foundation is seeking a Director of Administration to play a critical leadership role in the strategic design, oversight, implementation, and improvement of the Foundation’s HR, Facilities, and IT functions. Reporting to the COO, the Director of Administration will be a key member of the Operations team and will oversee core Foundation processes, projects, and relationships aimed at ensuring consistent service excellence, seamless internal coordination, effective use of resources, and a thriving culture. The position will be based full-time in the New York City offices.

The key responsibilities of the Director of Administration will include:

Values Alignment and Commitment to the Mission

Foster a shared commitment to the Arcus Foundation mission and values, positively and professionally strengthening the capacity of Arcus’ teams
Demonstrate sensitivity and respect for cultural values, practices, beliefs, and social experiences of diverse communities, effectively and comfortably engaging in a variety of cultural settings
Lead with a team-oriented approach, demonstrating high integrity, effective stewardship of Foundation resources, emphasis on overall organizational wellbeing and performance, and a caring approach that builds trust and collaboration across the 28-person staff

Team Management and Organizational Leadership

Directly supervise the Facilities Manager and IT Manager, setting goals and workflow, monitoring performance, providing mentoring, coaching, feedback, and identifying opportunities for professional development
Oversee and direct partnerships with outsourced support teams, including IT specialists and the Foundation’s Professional Employer Organization
Oversee key projects stewarded by the HR Manager with respect to HR administration
Support the Foundation’s leadership team in efforts to build trust and collaboration across departments, partnering most closely with the COO, Executive Office, and Finance teams

Organizational Effectiveness and Administrative Acumen

Drive process/project design and facilitation related to HR, Facilities, and IT; in partnership with the broader staff, ensure effective planning and the highest quality deliverables in these areas
Oversee hiring and onboarding/offboarding processes, compensation and benefits procurement and administration, and payroll and tax administration
Lead the development of enhanced performance management strategies, partnering closely on staff training and development with the Director of Organizational Learning and Executive Projects
In consultation with the COO and Professional Employer Organization, manage employee relations, acting as a confidant and reliable resource for staff
Overseeing the work of the Facilities Manager, monitor operations and ensure safety, security, and functionality of the Arcus offices (including related vendors, systems, and building personnel); provide administrative oversight for the planned office relocation in 2021
Overseeing the work of the IT Manager, design and monitor planning, sequencing, and implementation of IT projects to ensure adequate hardware, software, and equipment to enable Arcus’ workforce, and to ultimately ensure that Arcus’ core IT function is optimized

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will demonstrate expertise across the HR, Facilities, and IT functions, and will bring the following qualifications:

A minimum of 10 years professional work experience, with at least 5 in a comparable role
Broad knowledge and understanding of employment law, compensation and benefits administration, organizational planning, organizational development, and employee relations, safety, and training
Deep project management experience, with a proven track record designing and executing multiple complex projects and initiatives simultaneously; extremely well-organized, with great attention to detail
Excellent staff management, coaching, and counseling skills
Exceptional team orientation and possession of a facilitative and collaborate style of engaging others in projects, including colleagues in remote locations
Demonstrated ability to excel in a fast-paced environment, while remaining flexible and proactive
Exceptional degrees of integrity, confidentiality, discretion, positive partnership, cultural competence, and emotional intelligence
Understanding of and commitment to the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills required; ability to effectively engage and communicate with various stakeholders/audiences at multiple levels
Experience working in a relevant professional setting, like a global, multi-cultural, multi-location organization and/or a foundation or nonprofit to advance social justice, animal welfare, or conservation movements

Compensation & Benefits

The annual salary for this role will start at $150,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience. Arcus Foundation also offers a comprehensive, competitive benefits package.

To Apply

Please follow instructions to apply online here: https://talent-profile.koyapartners.com/search/3869

Contact

Koya Leadership Partners, the executive search firm that specializes in mission-driven search, has been exclusively retained for this engagement. Molly Brennan and Meghan Franklin are leading this search. To make recommendations or to express your interest in this role, please visit this link here. All nominations, inquiries, and discussions will be considered strictly confidential.

Arcus Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, LGBTQ+ persons, and other underrepresented applicants.

About Koya Leadership Partners

Koya Leadership Partners, a member of the Diversified Search Group, is a leading executive search and strategic advising firm dedicated to connecting exceptionally talented people with mission-driven clients. Our founding philosophy—The Right Person in the Right Place Can Change the World—guides our work as we partner with nonprofits & NGOs, institutions of higher education, responsible businesses, and social enterprises in local communities and around the world.