Regional Operations Director

About Water.org

1 in 4 people around the world lack access to safe water and 2 in 5 people don’t have access to a safe toilet. We are working every day to change this. We are Water.org. We’re here to bring water and sanitation to the world. We want to make it safe, accessible and cost-effective because we believe that water is the way to empower a bright future that we can all share in, worldwide. We are an international nonprofit organization based in Kansas City, Missouri that has positively transformed millions of lives around the world through access to safe water and sanitation. Founded by Gary White and Matt Damon, we pioneer market-driven financial solutions to the global water crisis. For more than 30 years, we’ve been providing women hope, children health and families a bright future.

Summary

The Regional Operations Director works in partnership with the Regional Director and other key stakeholders to translate priorities into cohesive plans and targets to deliver measurable, cost-effective results that make the strategic vision a reality. The incumbent in this position drives execution rigor through global standards and processes and ensuring smooth coordination of multiple functions and teams.

Department Accountabilities

• Impact Strategy Leadership and Execution
• Portfolio and Account Management
• Business Development
• Business Metrics and Data Insights
• Pre-Award and Post Award Administration
• Project Management
• Risk Identification
• Advisory and Consulting Services

Job-Specific Accountabilities

Regional Leadership

Serves as a key member of the regional leadership team and partners with the Regional Director and other key stakeholders to develop and implement impact strategies and related initiatives. Contributes a global mindset and deep operations and project management expertise to drive comprehensive achievement of short- and long-term objectives. Manages escalated operational risks and issues; directs stakeholders and resources to effectively mitigate, manage, and resolve issues based on priority and impact.

Operational Effectiveness

Acts as the operational excellence champion for the Hub with oversight of project/initiative management related to operational improvements, coordination of back-end business support, including developing and executing cross-functional processes, and ensuring all funds deployed for execution are utilized in accordance with global standards, performance metrics and timelines for deployment.

Planning and Reporting

Oversees implementation of operational planning, monitoring, and reporting processes to ensure region is positioned to meet organizational standards for cost, schedule, and resource utilization. Leads development and execution of annual operations plans and budgets. Acts as the primary interface with Water.org global functions for annual planning and budgeting.

Entity Management

Ensures compliance with all applicable policies, standards, and guidelines for doing business in the country of location. Maintains oversight for duty of care for in-office, remote workers, and visitors in-country, including management of the local office(s). If applicable, acts as the organization’s legal representative for the country of location, ensuring governmental reporting requirements and obligations are met to maintain the good standing of the entity.

Talent Management

Challenges and maximizes the strength of teams by aligning their efforts to meet objectives and deliver results. Fosters productive cross-functional collaboration to ensure cohesive effort and delivery of business outcomes.

Management Responsibility

• Supervises work of others. Responsible for hiring, discipline, and pay administration of their subordinates.
• Positions supervised: Senior Regional Grant Specialist, Office Administrator with matrixed supervision of the Regional Insights Lead.

Complexity and Problem Solving Skills

• Ability to analyze and synthesize complex data and information and guide executive-level decisions and communications.
• Ability to “zoom in” and “zoom out”; rollup sleeves to understand underlying details and still maintain a view of the big picture and guide executive-level decisions and communications.
• Ability to oversee multiple complex projects, requiring adaptation and interpretation of existing standards and processes to derive appropriate, business-aligned solutions and mitigate execution risks.
• Ability to cultivate and maintain strong working relationships with internal stakeholders, including highly developed skills to motivate, persuade and influence and drive a culture of accountability.

Key Competencies

• Values Differences – Recognizes the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization.
• Strategic Mindset – Sees ahead to future possibilities and translates them into breakthrough strategies.
• Ensures Accountability – Holds self and others accountable to meet commitments.
• Builds Effective Teams – Builds strong-identity teams that apply their diverse skills and perspectives to achieve common goals.
• Instills Trust – Gains the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.

Travel Requirement

• Up to 25% of domestic and international travel

Requirements

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree and/or equivalent related work experience in project management, business development, or related discipline.
• 10 years or more of progressive operations management experience in a globally matrixed organization, including oversight of complex projects and initiatives. Three years or more of experience supervising and developing teams.
• Advanced proficiency with technology, including MS Office software, applications, and related platforms, as a tool to advance project outcomes and drive operational efficiencies.
• Deep and broad knowledge of project management principles and methodologies.
• Proficient (written and verbal) in English.

Benefits

This position's desired location is within the Philippines, Indonesia, or Cambodia.

Being authorized to work in the country posted is a precondition of employment.

Salary and Benefits

This position offers country-specific benefits and market-based, competitive salary as well as periodic review for merit and incentive pay based on organizational and personal achievement.

Water.org is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing an inclusive environment. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, pregnancy status, military and veteran status, genetic information, and any other status protected by law.   We provide qualified applicants and employees reasonable accommodation, when necessary, to enable individuals to complete the application process and/or perform the essential functions of the job. We believe social change happens when people with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and identities come together with a common purpose. We strive to build and maintain a diverse team that will advance our mission and work and encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.