Operations Manager (Part - Time)

IFF (CDFI)•Detroit, MI

just now•Hybrid

About The Position

The Chief of Staff to the Chief Operating Officer (CoS COO) supports the effective functioning of the Enterprise Operations Department by managing priorities, initiatives, and project execution as delegated by the Chief Operating Officer (COO). The CoS COO focuses on the business of the Enterprise Operations department – how the work is planned, resourced, executed, and sustained rather than enterprise strategy. The CoS COO may also be delegated responsibility for specific projects and initiatives on behalf of the COO that may extend beyond the Enterprise Operations department. IFF is a mission-driven lender, real estate consultant, and developer that helps communities thrive. Key to our success has been a deep sense of purpose, a broad perspective, and a relentless focus on achieving positive results. Across the Midwest we help clients from every sector, including human service agencies, health centers, schools, affordable housing developers, and healthy food grocery operators. Staff contribute extensive business experience and an unrivaled connection to the mission of IFF to the clients we serve. Enterprise Operations provides the operating backbone for the organization enabling organizational success by strengthening the infrastructure that supports execution without taking ownership away from the business units. The department comprises four domains: Strategy and Business Analytics; Risk, Compliance, and Legal; Core Operations and Infrastructure; and Enterprise Process Support. Partnering to create thriving communities is at the heart of everything we do. We leverage knowledge, capital, and resources to advance equitable and transformational outcomes in under-resourced communities, guided by our commitment to be an inclusive, anti-racist and anti-oppressive institution that honors communities as asset-rich and as experts in their own stories. IFF is looking for candidates with a commitment to the work we do who can demonstrate their creativity, diligence, enthusiasm, growth-mindset, thoughtfulness, and passion to make meaningful change in the areas of economic and racial justice.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
Five to eight years of experience in operations, program management, or similar roles.
Demonstrated experience managing priorities and initiatives within a department.
Experience designing or improving operational process and workflows.
Strong communication, facilitation, and follow-through.
High emotional intelligence and comfort navigating ambiguity.
Regular travel throughout the Midwest region.

Responsibilities

Translates COO direction into clear plans, timelines, and deliverables.
Manages departmental priorities, initiatives, and projects as delegated by the COO. Maintains visibility into status, risks, and work dependencies.
Supports consistent planning, tracking, and reporting across the department.
Leads or coordinates cross-functional projects and initiatives owned by or delegated to the department.
Defines scopes, milestones, success measures, and delivery plans.
Surfaces risks and blockers, with practical recommendations.
Ensures follow-through on decisions and commitments.
Assumes end-to-end responsibility for projects or initiatives delegated by the COO.
Serves as the primary point of coordination for COO-delegated work owned by or assigned to the department, even when it spans multiple domains.
Represents the COO’s intent, expectations, and decisions for assigned initiatives.
Manages timelines, dependencies, and delivery for COO-delegated work. Escalates risks, trade-offs, and decisions requiring COO input.
Designs, documents, and improves departmental processes that support efficient execution. Identifies friction points and recommends practical improvements.
Evaluates and supports the adoption of tools, templates, and systems that improve coordination, visibility, and reporting.
Partners with domain leads to ensure processes enable, not hinder, work delivery.
Coordinates with internal partners to support smooth handoffs and alignment.
Reduces duplication of effort and improves information flow.
Fosters collaboration without relying on formal authority.
Represents the COO in meetings related to departmental operations or COO-delegated initiatives.
Facilitates meetings, captures decisions, and drives follow-up.
Communicates context and expectations with clarity and discretion.
Maintains alignment with COO direction and escalates appropriately.
Supports the COO in understanding departmental capacity, resourcing needs, and workload distribution.
Helps assess skill gaps, coverage risks, and resourcing constraints.
Coordinates staff onboarding, role clarity, and work handoffs within the department.
When applicable, supports professional development and succession planning in partnership with domain leaders and Talent Management.
Demonstrates a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. Promotes an environment of empathy and respect, ensures the inclusion of all team members, and will actively engage in EDI events and learning opportunities.