Chief Operating Officer

Summary about this job

Detail information about job Chief Operating Officer. Terms and conditions vacancy

ORGANISATIONAL OVERVIEW

Library for All is an Australian non-profit organization with a mission to make books and educational resources accessible to all. 

Millions of children around the world are struggling to reach their full potential due to a lack of age-appropriate, culturally relevant reading materials. Library for All delivers high quality, culturally diverse, educational reading material to communities that need it, via a ground-breaking e-book library app. Learning to read should be a basic right for every child, but millions of kids around the world have no access to reading material.

Library for All’s unique digital library fills educational resource gaps in developing world communities and other regions where history, poverty or remoteness, prevents access to conventional book collections. Our quest is simple: we are there when books are not, so that every child can experience the joy of reading. 

Our Mission 

To make knowledge accessible to all, equally. 

Our Vision

Creating and delivering a digital library for the world to provide relevant content to 20 million users by 2030. 

ORGANISATIONAL VALUES

Innovation

• We experiment and create 
• We grow from our mistakes 
• We learn from the world around us  

Humility 

• We don’t know everything
• We seek wisdom and understanding from the communities we serve
• We strive to show a deep respect for staff, partners, clients and the communities in which we operate 

Agility

• We chase new opportunities and embrace change
• We adapt to advancements in technology and infrastructure
• We respond and adapt to the needs of our clients 

Partnership 

• We seek to add value to all of our partners, their teams and their mission
• We actively seek partnership with likeminded values driven individuals, organisations and corporations 

Respect 

• We have respect for all people and aim to fully value each person and to affirm personal dignity and uniqueness 
• We respect and empower our team and our partners to excel  
• We value our relationships with the communities and schools where we work   

Accountability   

• We are committed to being good stewards of resources, exercising a thoughtful and cost-effective use of time, skills and finances
• We are accountable for the impact we create 
• We seek to promote best practice in every aspect of our work

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The Chief Operating Officer of Library for All oversees the day-to-day business operations of the organisation to support delivery of the mission in accordance with direction from the Board and CEO. The COO will lead:

Key deliverables will include:

Working with the CEO and Executive Leadership Team to manage day-to-day operation of the organisation including:

• Overseeing all programs, activities and initiatives to build, manage and deploy the library;
• Development and management of all policies, processes and guidelines;
• Delivery of a finance function including budgets, tracking & reporting;
• Delivery of a human resources function including industrial relations, performance management and employee development;
• Delivery of marketing and communications activities (excluding fundraising capabilities);
• Delivery of organisational infrastructure including business systems, purchased and leased assets;

ACCOUNTABILITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership

• Provide leadership to the organisation’s employees to support the mission and vision through a period of high-growth and change
• Provide high-quality advice to the Board of Directors on all operational matters
• Measure and report on operational performance and develop plans to improve relevant key performance indicators

Delivery of operational management

• Operationalise the strategic plan
• Develop, manage and report against an annual business and operational plan linked to the approved budget;
• Measure and report on operational performance and develop plans to improve relevant key performance indicators

Build, manage and deploy the library

• Develop and implement portfolio, program and project management frameworks
• Portfolio manage all program deployments and program managers
• Ensure compliance with agreements, budgets, deliverables and other specifications
• Coordinate with the CEO to negotiate, manage and report against partnership agreements
• Coordinate with the Head Librarian, oversee the development, curation, management and protection of content for the library
• Coordinate with the CTO to ensure the software specifications match deployment needs

Develop and improve processes, policies & procedures

• Support the CEO and Board of Directors to develop organisational policies
• Develop organisational policies, procedures, processes and guidelines 
• Ensure compliance with all policies, processes and guidelines
• Ensure compliance with ACNC requirements (financial and non-financial)

Deliver a finance function

• Manage outsourced payroll, book keeping, reporting and audit functions
• Oversee the organisation’s annual financial reporting requirements (legislative & compliance related)
• Prepare, manage and report against annual budgets and cash flow (including program budgets)
• Oversee receipt, processing and approval of all accounts payable & receivable 
• Oversee budgets, funding cash flow and acquittals related to all funding agreements

Deliver a human resources function

• Oversee attraction, retention and management of all non-executive employees
  • Support the CEO to undertake this function for the Executive Leadership Team
• Develop and maintain employment agreements and position descriptions for all employees
• Deliver key performance indicators, performance management, 360-style reviews and a reward and recognition program to develop a performance-based culture 
• Manage the capacity and capability of resources to suit business requirements

Deliver a marketing and communications function

• Manage outsourced services to deliver discrete marketing functions
• Prepare Annual Reports including Impact Report
• Manage and oversee all external marketing channels and content production
• Manage all external communications (excluding fundraising)
• Manage all internal communications

Delivery of organisational infrastructure

• Oversee the selection, procurement and management of all business systems, assets and office accommodation 

QUALIFICATIONS

• Appropriate qualifications in business, management, finance, project/program management or a related operations-based discipline
• Post-graduate qualifications are desirable

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• Knowledge of corporate governance and experience in building credible and trusting relationships while responding to a Board and meeting the requirements of government;
• Demonstrated experience in contributing to the strategic planning process and assisting with the implementation of operational business plans;
• Experience in undertaking planning activities with regards to financial and operational management;
• The ability to identify innovative opportunities for process, contract management and governance improvement;
• High level of knowledge of legislation, contemporary business practices and achieving value for money in both the not-for-profit and commercial sectors;
• Skilled in providing timely, compelling and concise evidence based advice to inform Board Members, the CEO and team members to support decision-making;
• Commitment to engender initiative, innovation and accountability to establish and develop teams to achieve results under changing conditions;
• Strong senior level written and verbal communication skills with an impeccable attention to detail, including the ability to interpret and respond to government requirements;
• A willingness to work with faith based organizations;
• Experience and knowledge of the not-for-profit and commercial sectors;
• Commitment to Library for All’s Vision, Mission and Values.

Applications Close -  5pm, Friday 27th July 2018.