Senior Director, Strategy and Operations

The Opportunity:

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), Casey Recupero, the Senior Director, Strategy and Operations will play a pivotal role in boosting organizational efficiency, effectiveness, and empowerment as MLT continues scaling its efforts to close the racial wealth gap. Balancing a focus on both today and tomorrow, this leadership role is designed to support the COO in the execution of key MLT-wide initiatives and strategic planning. The Senior Director should be comfortable driving cross-functional efforts in a fast paced, ever-evolving, innovative environment and thrive in building processes that strengthen both the organization’s senior leadership team and the broader MLT staff community. The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker, an exceptional communicator, an active “dot connector” across silos, an organized project manager, and a proactive problem-solver with a passion for social impact. 

Work You’ll Do

• Lead the coordination and execution of MLT's annual planning processes, setting overall project plans, building necessary tools and templates, working with functional leaders on their contributions, and leading the synthesis and distribution of planning outputs
• Collaborate with the COO and senior leadership team in developing and refining MLT’s long-term (~5 years) strategic plans
• Plan and host regular reviews of MLT’s progress against goals, working with functional leaders to drive preparation and follow-up

• Serve as an advisor for MLT’s senior leadership team, implementing management processes, providing structure and coordination, driving meeting agendas and follow-ups, and fostering regular communication across functional silos
• Proactively act as an air traffic controller by offering insight and high-level perspective, identifying blockages, and problem-solving to keep priorities moving forward

• Develop and manage internal communication strategies to ensure transparency and alignment across the organization, with a particular focus on ensuring all MLT team members see themselves in MLT’s organizational strategy

• Lead strategic projects and complex initiatives as they arise, working across teams to develop plans and drive to completion
• Examples from early 2024 include formulating a new approach to pricing MLT’s offerings for employers, refreshing the eligibility criteria for a variety of MLT’s programs, and an effort to significantly strengthen the reporting tools leaders need to drive excellence across the organization

• Proven experience in a Chief of Staff role or similar cross-functional “leading through influence” position within a dynamic organization
• Strong strategic planning and project management skills
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence senior leadership and internal/external stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally and manage complex projects
• High level of discretion and confidentiality
• Passion for MLT’s mission and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion

• Experience building operational foundations (planning, internal engagement, business processes) as an organization scales
• Experience in workforce development, post-secondary education, or consulting
• Experience with human-centered design as a tool to foster innovation
• Comfortable with working in a hybrid work capacity at our Bethesda, MD office

What We Offer

Inspiring Work

-Transform lives and contribute to a larger social cause

-Quickly see measurable impact from your work

-Make your mark during a critical growth phase for MLT

-Opportunity to work with the visionary leader, John Rice

Community

-Weekly virtual and in-person happy hours 

-Employee Affinity Groups (EAGs)

Professional Development

-Regular skill-development seminars hosted by our industry-leading partners

-Regularly scheduled lunch-and-learns

Benefits Package

-Health and dental insurance

-Workplace flexibility

-Paid holidays

-Transit benefits

*Benefits package applies to full-time employees only

About Management Leadership For Tomorrow (MLT)

At Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT), our purpose is clear: we aim to advance racial equity by elevating economic and career paths for People of Color. Established in 2002, MLT is a national nonprofit committed to closing racial wealth gaps. We believe individuals of Black, Latine, and Native American (BLNA) descent should not only survive, but thrive. Spanning from college to senior-level positions, including C-suite and boards of directors, our comprehensive programs for BLNA talent have impacted over 10,000 people. 

Today, we partner with over 200 notable organizations across a variety of fields including tech, finance, and education. With over two decades of experience in developing and implementing racial equity strategies, MLT provides organizations with a winning DEI playbook, strategies, and tactics. Our Racial Equity at Work Certification Programs set a clear standard and roadmap for companies that are committed to advancing Black and Hispanic Equity in their workplaces. Join us at MLT to reshape the corporate landscape, where your journey propels both personal growth and collective equity in our communities.

Commitment to Diversity

MLT embraces diversity and welcomes individuals from all walks of life. We strongly encourage People of Color (POC), LGBTQIA+ community members, and transgender/non-binary individuals to apply. Our organizational strength thrives on our differences, and we are dedicated to creating an inclusive, authentic workplace where everyone can flourish. 

COVID Statement 

MLT is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace, and to modeling the highest degree of health standards for our Fellows, our Partners, and the communities we serve. We expect all MLT employees and contractors to be fully vaccinated - including the booster regimen - against the coronavirus (COVID-19), in accordance with ADA accommodations. Visitors to MLT’s office in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) locations or remote work sites should also expect to comply with this requirement.

Please apply to a position with MLT ONLY if you are willing and able to prove that you are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, regardless of work location.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)

We're an equal-opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.