The Community

DreamYard is focused in the Bronx, a borough that possesses incredible cultural, human and economic assets. In addition to work throughout the Bronx, DreamYard partners with local, national and international communities using the arts to build bridges to opportunity. The organization believes that the arts are a necessary part of developing our local assets to their greatest potential.

The Position

The Chief Operating Officer collaborates closely with the DreamYard Leadership Team including the Co-Executive Directors to: build and manage consistent, equitable systems to support DreamYard growth and extend the breadth of the DreamYard Effect; to ensure that internal systems are integrated and allow DreamYard’s Program teams to do their best work; lead the Finance and HR teams so that DreamYard remains an excellent and attractive place to work, vision and thrive; and engage in strategic planning and visioning to support DreamYard’s long-term vitality.

Reports to: Co-Executive Directors

Manages: Program Directors in a collaborative and team-based way to ensure effective and consistent operations across DreamYard Programs; Directors of HR and Finance to similarly ensure effectiveness of DreamYard team.

Program Team Management and Collaboration

• Collaborate with Program Directors on operations related to program development and execution;

• Develop processes and systems to support essential program relationships, including with schools, school leaders, families and Bronx partners;

• Develop and maintain consistent program documentation systems and processes;

• Develop and support program metrics and impact measurement processes consistent with DreamYard’s race equity and social justice based core values;

• Work closely with program leaders and HR Director to systematize and streamline all teaching artist hiring, onboarding and management systems and processes;

• Work closely with the Director of Professional Development to support systems and processes essential to effective professional development of teaching artists and DreamYard admin and support teams.

HR and Finance Team Management 

• Work with Director of HR to streamline and make consistent hiring, onboarding and growth management processes;

• Work with Director of Finance to streamline and make consistent finance operations, including invoicing, integration of development and finance reporting, audit and budgeting processes;

Director of Development

• Work with Director of Development to make consistent processes for collaboration with other departments;

Organization Responsibilities

• Serve as an integral member of the DreamYard Leadership Team (LT);

• Work with the LT and Executive Directors on Board of Director development and communications;

• Manage and lead all evaluation and assessment work consistent with DreamYard core values;

Who You Are:

• Committed to liberation and the dismantling of anti-Black and anti-Indigenous practices, with a deep understanding of intersectionality, within nonprofit programs and operations;

• A collaborative self-starter who believes in the power of community and working together;

• Experienced in managing a team and supporting their career development;

• Experienced in and/or working knowledge of Nonprofit  Finance and Human Resources ;

• Demonstrated experience in developing and executing a comprehensive program and operations plan;

• Preference for someone with experience in youth development and/or the Bronx;

Competencies

• 7+ years of progressively responsible experience in nonprofit leadership;

• Bachelor's degree and/or Masters degree in business or organizational leadership; 

• Strong project management and implementation skills;

• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and general communication skills;

• Ability to work with a wide range of DreamYard stakeholders and leaders, understanding the importance of DreamYard’s work with young people, families, teaching artists, teachers and community partners;

• Ability to relate to diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community;

• Demonstrated creative problem solving and strategic planning skills;

• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to gracefully manage tight timelines in a fast-paced working environment and multiple projects concurrently;

• The ability to collaborate effectively to achieve organizational goals;

• Strong attention to detail;

• Strong leadership skills, with an emphasis on listening, empathy, collaboration and effective communication based on honest feedback and radical candor;

• Experience in database and program management, finance software, and HR procedures and benefits.

To Apply

We would like to get to know you a bit better in your application, beyond simply reviewing a resume.  Please respond to the few short questions in the application form found here: