Director of Operations and Strategy

Highlights for Children • Honesdale, PA

10h • Hybrid

About The Position

Boyds Mills (formerly the Highlights Foundation) began in 1985, with the goal of improving the quality of books for children through craft workshops for writers and illustrators. Today, we positively impact children by amplifying the voices of storytellers who inform, educate, and inspire children to become their best selves. We live this mission daily by supporting writers and artists across the globe who bring stories to kids, with opportunities to hone their craft, learn more about navigating the publishing industry, and build community. Boyds Mills hosts programs and retreats year-round both online and in person at our own rural retreat center near the Highlights editorial office in Honesdale, Pennsylvania on the traditional lands of the Lenape people. The Boyds Mills mission and activities are supported by the successful operation of its campus facility, the careful execution of programs and events, and the high-quality support we offer to our guests. Our community of students, faculty, donors, partners, staff, and volunteers contribute to the culture and climate that make this organization unique. We are seeking a full-time Director of Operations and Strategy who will contribute to the successful day-to-day operations of our organization. The Director of Operations and Strategy will report to the Executive Director. This role is vital in fostering collaboration across our in-person and online teams and requires a deep understanding of both the organization’s current operations and its direction. Acting as a strategic and operational connector across the organization, this person will help translate vision into clear priorities, coordinated execution, and effective day-to-day decision-making. The person in this role should be skilled at connecting leadership direction to practical implementation, aligning teams around shared goals, and unlocking and building organizational capacity. They should bring strong judgment, discretion, and problem-solving ability, with a talent for navigating complexity, clarifying priorities, and ensuring that important initiatives gain traction in the day-to-day work of the organization.

Requirements

• Proven experience in operations management, preferably in a non-profit or educational setting.
• Strong strategic thinking and planning abilities with a track record of developing and implementing successful operational strategies.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills with the ability to identify and implement process improvements.
• Demonstrated experience in budget management and financial oversight.
• Strong leadership and team management skills with the ability to motivate and develop staff.
• Excellent communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across all levels of the organization.
• Proficiency in technology, and experience in leveraging technology to improve operational efficiency.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Demonstrated ability to translate strategic direction into coordinated day-to-day execution across teams and functions.
• Experience identifying organizational capacity needs and helping teams build the structure, processes, and collaboration required to deliver effectively.
• Commitment to do all things with kindness, care, and thoughtfulness.
• A commitment to our mission and values; this includes core principals of the legacy of Highlights including curiosity and assuming best intentions in our interactions with students, staff, faculty, and the greater community.

Nice To Haves

• Deep experience in non-profit or business operations and project management.
• Experience developing and managing staff.
• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, or a related field. Master's degree or equivalent experience preferred; 15+ years.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement operational strategies, policies, and procedures that support the organization's mission and goals, and help translate leadership priorities into clear, actionable plans across teams.
• Identify areas for process improvement across departments (including program delivery, retreat center operations, marketing, and development) and implement solutions that enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and the organization's capacity to deliver on strategic priorities.
• Oversee the efficient allocation and utilization of the organization’s resources, including financial, human, and physical assets.
• Foster strong working relationships and effective communication across all departments (Program, Hospitality, Marketing, Development) to ensure alignment, strengthen collaboration, and move cross-functional initiatives from idea to execution.
• Manage the organization’s tech stack and identify opportunities to leverage technology to improve operations and productivity, helping to manage vendors as needed.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director and department heads to develop and manage the operational budget, ensuring fiscal responsibility and cost-effectiveness.
• Develop and analyze operational metrics and reports to track performance, identify trends, and inform decision-making.
• Build, lead, and mentor staff across the organization, strengthening individual and team effectiveness, while helping the organization assess, find, and build capacity for current and future needs.
• Foster a safe and inclusive environment for learners, faculty, and team members.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees