Managing Director

JOB DESCRIPTION

March 2024

Managing Director

ELLA BAKER CENTER
FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

OAKLAND, CA

ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND

The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights (EBC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Oakland, California, organizing to shift resources away from prisons and punishment towards opportunities that make our communities safe, healthy, and strong.  Named after civil rights hero Ella Baker, we mobilize Black,  Brown, and low-income people to build power in our communities.  For over 25 years, we have worked from the community to the legislative level to free our people from state violence.  We are currently working to end  mass incarceration and mass criminalization in the United States through Truth and Reinvestment—moving  resources away from failed criminal legal policies and into creating opportunities, also known as “books not bars, jobs not jails, healthcare not handcuffs.” Through our programs, such as successful organizing in  Alameda County, a robust state policy platform, and national leadership in the movement to end mass incarceration, EBC is building a culture of care to replace cages and cops.

The Ella Baker Center Action Fund (EBCAF) is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization and a separate but affiliated organization with the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights.  EBCAF mobilizes our communities — current and formerly incarcerated people, their loved ones, people who are low income, and Black and Brown communities — to exercise their full political power and hold institutions accountable.  Like our namesake, Ella Baker, we understand that true power lies within the people.  EBCAF was born out of the vision to further build power amongst those most impacted by incarceration and criminalization.  We mobilize these communities to ensure that our elected officials are focused on addressing the root causes of harm in our communities instead of investing in failing institutions, such as prisons and policing, that exacerbate that harm.

OUR VALUES

At Ella Baker Center, we win by doing our liberation work in alignment with our core values:

1. Prioritize people most impacted by policing and prisons
2. Accountability
3. Black Liberation
4. Interconnection
5. Transformation
6. Culture of Care and Healing
7. Self-Determination

POSITION SUMMARY

The Managing Director is a leader dedicated to supporting the Executive Director in advancing the organization's strategic initiatives, upholding the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights (EBC)'s core values, and passionately advocating for the end of incarceration.  The Managing Director prioritizes uplifting the voices of Black leaders and creating a supportive environment where staff can lead and drive their work forward.  This role requires exceptional leadership, collaboration, strategic thinking, communication, and operational management skills.  Reporting to the Executive Director, the ideal candidate is a highly collaborative, seasoned, and confident leader who will identify and implement operational and administrative solutions across the organization, with a strategic approach to managing our financial and risk management systems, database, and facilities.

PRIMARY ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The primary objective of the Managing Director is to enhance and strengthen the organizational capacity of the Ella Baker Center in pursuit of our mission.  Collaborating closely with the Executive Director and senior leadership team, the Managing Director develops short-term and long-term strategies to strengthen the organization so it can effectively and sustainably achieve its goals.  They oversee the operational, financial, and HR functions of EBC.  As a thought partner to the Executive Director, the Managing Director may engage with the Board of Directors, the staff, and the union on relevant issues and will serve as a critical member of the organization's senior leadership team.

Operations & Human Resources

• Directly manage senior-level staff responsible for day-to-day operations, systems/technology, human resources, organizational culture and finance.
• Ensure careful management of assets, resources, and technology, including facilities and tenant-landlord matters, across the Ella Baker Center office in Oakland.
• Implement best practices to enhance operational systems, ensuring long-term sustainability and collaboration on future strategic planning.
• Provide adequate resources, policies, and systems to support infrastructure and operations with consistent documentation and training.
• Support supervisors in building collaborative, sustainable, and impactful teams aligned with EBC values and strategic priorities.
• In collaboration with the Executive Director, Director of People & Culture, and Director of Finance, support the annual review of salary ranges for all positions, making equitable, financially sustainable, and competitive range recommendations to the Executive Director and Board of Directors.
• In collaboration with the Executive Director, serve as Management point of contact within the Labor Management Agreement & Union meetings.

Financial Management 

• Oversee and provide thought partnership to the Finance Director to maintain the organization's long-term fiscal health, ensuring compliance with GAAP and other non-profit requirements.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director in providing accurate financial information and analysis, supporting risk management and long-term planning to fulfill fiduciary responsibilities and plan for the future of EBC.
• Lead on planning and implementation of infrastructure for successful c4 political work.  Support annual and multi-year budgeting and planning in collaboration with the Finance Director, Development Department and the senior leadership team.
• Advise and support organizational investment strategies including capital campaigns.
• Ensure the accurate and timely processing of semi-monthly payroll, including end-of-year retirement and census reporting, and be prepared to serve as a backup for payroll processing when necessary.

Organizational Development & Strategy

• Contribute to EBC's organizational development priorities, strategic planning and implementation, and fundraising initiatives.
• Coordinate with department directors to establish and monitor yearly work plans & dashboards.
• Identify risks, assess, and inform the Executive Director of internal and external issues impacting the organization, including finance, legal matters, 501(c)(3) status, and organizational culture.
• Champion racial equity within EBC and participate in political education training.
• Participate in EBC signature events, support organizational fundraising efforts and outreach and cultivate new relationships with funders.
• Support EBC's strategic communications, narrative shift, policy advocacy, and campaign strategies; serve as an EBC organizational spokesperson as needed.
• Serve as the staff lead on one or more board committees (i.e., internal & external, governance, and executive).

NECESSARY SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum five years of experience in a leadership position within a non-profit organization.
• Be located in the Bay Area.
• Experience operating in a unionized workplace.
• Deep understanding of the criminal legal system and/or lived experience or connection to Ella Baker Center's mission.
• Experience and training in Racial, Criminal and/or Economic Justice campaign work.
• Knowledge of risk management and insurance compliance & needs.
• Comprehension and expertise in managing facility needs and tenant relationships.
• Possess excellent collaboration, leadership, and problem-solving abilities.
• Dedicated to advancing and implementing organizational systems through a racial justice perspective.
• Significant experience managing organizational accounting, audits, & finances.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.  Comfortable and practiced at communicating with a diverse audience, including Black and Brown communities, currently and formerly incarcerated people and their loved ones, and people with low or no incomes.
• Familiarity with Restorative Justice concepts and practices.
• Demonstrate extensive experience in supervising individuals with a compassionate approach, acknowledging differences in privilege and power.
• Proficient in Google Suite and MS Office applications, tech-savvy with hands-on experience in Salesforce (or other CRM), Zoom (or other video conferencing platforms), BOX, Monday, and Bill.com. Well-versed in various HR platforms, financial systems, and IT systems like BambooHR, Sage, QuickBooks, or equivalent industry software.
• Valid driver's license or the alternative means and willingness to travel to the office, events, and other relevant EBC responsibilities.
• Commitment to using 2SLGBTQIA+ staff and community names & pronouns.
• Bi-lingual Spanish & English proficiency is a plus!

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

This is a salaried, exempt, on-site, full-time position.  There will be times when the position will be required to work in the evenings, on weekends, at outward-facing public events, and will be on call during office closures.  The Managing Director reports to the Executive Director and serves on the Management Team.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Salary range: $110,000-125,000 depending on professional and lived experience.  The Ella Baker Center for  Human Rights offers a competitive benefits package to its full-time employees, which includes employee health, vision, dental, chiropractor, acupuncture, LTD, life insurance, EAP, paid holidays, vacation and sick time, and the option to enroll in a 401k program.  We cover 100% of the employee-only premiums for all medical coverage.  Medical coverage begins the 1st of the month, after the hire date.

EVERYONE WELCOME

The Ella Baker Center is an equal-opportunity employer.  Individuals of color, 2SLGBTQIA+ people,  individuals with past involvement in the criminal legal system, or who have loved ones currently or formerly impacted by the criminal legal system are strongly encouraged to apply.  We do not require candidates to have a degree, and we welcome candidates from nontraditional backgrounds.  We believe in both the necessity of building a broad, diverse movement to effectuate change and the importance of centering the experiences and leadership of those most impacted by the legal system.  We are committed to investing in the leadership of people of color and formerly incarcerated people.  If you are wondering if you are qualified to apply, please do.  

HOW TO APPLY

Ella Baker Website Careers Tab: https://ellabakercenter.org/careers/

Submit the following application materials:

• Resume or summary of relevant experience.
• A thoughtful cover letter about your interest in the position.

COVID VACCINATION  

The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights recommends vaccinations to prevent the spread of communicable diseases.  Fully vaccinated is determined two weeks after completing a primary vaccination with a COVID-19  vaccine, with, if applicable, at least the minimum recommended interval between doses.  The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights requires all employees to wear masks when working within the building and at EBC-sponsored gatherings.  Employees may be legally entitled to a reasonable accommodation if they cannot be vaccinated and/or wear a face covering (as otherwise required by this policy) because of a disability or if the provisions in this policy for vaccination and/or testing for COVID-19, and/or wearing a face covering conflicts with a sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance.

START DATE: SUMMER 2024

Nothing in this job description restricts Ella Baker Center’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.  Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.  Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.