Program and Operations Manager; WtC

Widen the Circle (WtC or widenthecircle.org ) is a nonprofit with a variety of programs focused on widening the circle of tolerance, reconciliation, and intercultural understanding, particularly in places where there is a history of extreme persecution of one group by another. Our mission is to combat prejudice by fostering a shared understanding of the past that promotes healing, as well as opens the path to dialogue and mutual trust moving forward.

Currently, WtC has a small, nimble team based in the Boston area. We have a broad range of partners, advisors, contractors, and volunteer experts, including many in Germany.

Widen the Circle seeks a highly organized and detail-oriented Program and Operations Manager (POM) to support the growth and expansion of an exciting program portfolio that has ambitious aims to have a positive impact on the world.

This position will be based in the greater Boston area. In close partnership with the Executive Director, the POM will have responsibilities in four areas: the annual awards, programmatic initiative/operations, administrative operations, and communications support. While many of our activities occur in Germany, the majority of them can be managed in English from the United States. Candidates will need to be able to travel roughly one week each quarter.

Annual Obermayer Awards program in Berlin

• On an ongoing basis, develop and refine the annual award calendar of activities and deadlines.
• Manage and carry out activities that are part of the annual cycle including supporting the needs of the awards jury and the award ceremony weekend in Berlin.

Programmatic Initiatives and Operations

• Track a broad range of projects and initiatives, and their timelines, including capacity building work with select awardees in Germany.
• Manage the Visiting Program, which builds bridges to potential U.S. allies by bringing them to Berlin for the awards weekend and ensuring a profound and transformational experience.
• Contribute to development and manage implementation of a Listening and Dialog tour to bring together members of the U.S. Civil Rights community and Germans working on reconciliation issues.

Administrative Operations

• Track key organizational goals and metrics.
• Manage the team’s overall work plan and ensure individual work plans are aligned for the Executive Director, technology/digital contractors, expert volunteers, and other.
• Recruit and supervise interns, fellows, and certain contractors.
• Support the Executive Director by following up with potential funders and partners.
• Create email campaigns and regular updates for stakeholders.
• Manage social media strategy and its implementation.

Significant experience in a nimble, mission-driven program or consulting role.

Skills

• Project management: Experience in highly collaborative environments and in the management of workflows, work plans, deadlines, and priorities. Experience supervising contractors, interns, or fellows, a plus.
• Communications: Excellent written and oral communication skills; facility with presentation development and delivery.
• Operations and systems: Experience with or ability to rapidly learn key operational systems such as file management, expense tracking, communications (e.g., Slack), and CRM.
• Technology: Facility with Microsoft Office and basic website management; pluses: experience with audio/video editing, email marketing, accounting software.
• Remote Experience: Experience collaborating with others on complicated projects remotely.
• German: Knowledge of German language, as well as familiarity with German culture is not required, but would be a big plus.

Qualities

• Exceptional organizational skills; demonstrated ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and meet deadlines
• Self-motivated, self-starter, with strong problem-solving abilities, “can do” style, a strong attention to detail, a willingness to pitch in as and where needed, and a demonstrated ability to work without hands-on supervision.
• Quick learner:
  Ability to learn and apply new skills at a rapid pace.
• Demonstrated ability to partner and collaborate with diverse individuals and groups of people (academics, experts, students,…