Operations Lead

The deadline for applications is Sunday 5^th January 2025

Location: Global, Central or South America preferred; candidates need the right to work in the country they live.
Location type: Remote
Reporting to: Executive Director
Annual salary: $50K - $80K USD, depending on experience and location
Contract type: Full-time, permanent /or interim
Candidate level: Management

Background
Bellwethers’ purpose is to recruit, support and mobilise leadership networks across economic sectors who can light the way to a green economy. Our core operations combine skills in talent management with world-class insights and intelligence, alongside effective narrative formation, all aligned to building the future climate and nature economy.

Bellwethers was founded in February 2024 and is a fiscally sponsored project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors. We have initially benefited from the support of great contractors and are ready now to build a more permanent team to serve our mission and purpose.

Bellwethers operates with the belief that true progress is achieved when diverse voices and perspectives are brought together to solve complex problems. As such, the organisation places a strong emphasis on inclusivity, ensuring that its programs are accessible to individuals from all backgrounds, particularly those from underserved communities. A core element of Bellwethers' mission is to support leaders who are driving the transition to a green economy, recognising the critical importance of sustainable practices and environmental stewardship in shaping the future.

Purpose of role
Bellwethers seeks a full-time or interim Operations Lead to shape the organisation’s operational capacities and to assist the Executive Director in ensuring the effective and efficient day-to-day operations of the organisation.

For the right candidate, this will be a rewarding role, including the opportunity to work with people from around the world on groundbreaking efforts to advance progress on climate action, protecting and investing in nature and forging a green economy that works for everyone.

As part of a new and growing team, the Operations Lead will help set the culture of Bellwethers. We’re looking for a special individual who wants to make the most of their skills, whilst also developing their professional capacity.

Primary responsibilities

Financial administration:

Liaising closely with the fiscal sponsor team and systems, you will:
Manage financial and contractual matters relating to all suppliers.
Prepare budget reconciliations and manage financial forecasts.

Project and programme management:

Develop shared project management tools and coordinate team members to ensure milestones are met.
Coordinate closely with partner organisations as relevant to ensure the effective and responsible delivery of projects.
Facilitate and coordinate meetings, and ensure staff and contractors are informed, engaged and aligned on impact goals.

Travel and event logistics:

Oversee arrangements for key events.
Implement a travel policy and oversee its effective communication.
Support programme teams with logistical planning and administration for events and operational priorities, including contracting, budgeting and cost management.

Information and systems management:

Set the parameters for and maintain the information systems of the organisation, ensuring data is handled accurately and confidentially.
Oversee the organisation’s tools for digital, CRM, stakeholder relations and media relations.

Advisory board liaison:

Work with the Executive Director to coordinate Advisory Board members, meetings and materials.

Profile
The Operations Lead is a central force for a new, diverse international team, all working remotely. They will be responsible for ensuring Bellwethers work and stakeholder relationships are managed to the highest standards. The role touches on all aspects of operations, including finance and budget management, organisational administration, governance and board coordination, people and staffing, programmatic activity and network building.

As a key founding member of the Bellwethers Group team, the Operations Lead will help to shape and steward the wider strategy and culture of the team and will work closely with the fiscal sponsor’s team members across all operational elements.

Experience, skills, and qualifications

Excellent leadership qualities, including a proven ability to provide direction and guidance to other team members.
Outstanding organisational skills including information management, time management and project management.
A known problem-solver who is able to connect the dots between the issues and the people who can resolve them.
A can-do attitude, calm problem solving and positivity are vital.
A self-starter and strong team player, with a proven track record in contributing to organisational efficiencies and team building.
Experience working in climate change, biodiversity, good systems or social justice ecosystems is an advantage. Passion for the topics is a must.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
A bachelor’s or master’s degree in operations management, non-profit management, business management, public administration or a related field.
A minimum of two years’ experience in operations management or a similar role.
Proven skills in budget management and monitoring.
Ability to use project planning approaches and tools to manage their own work and to support others in adhering to milestones.
Ability to create, implement, and improve business processes.
Experience in a start-up environment, or in starting new initiatives within a larger organisation is essential.
Knowledge of climate change, biodiversity and sustainability policies, practices and key international processes. Experience in one of these fields is an advantage.
A keen interest in and understanding of using LinkedIn and other professional communications tools.
Experience with website content management and a working knowledge of CRM is an advantage.
English fluency, both written and spoken, is essential. Fluency or proficiency in other languages is an advantage.
Extensive proficiency in MS Office tools, particularly Excel.

Terms and conditions
Team members work remotely and therefore candidates who apply for this role should be independently set up with a suitable environment for working. There will be a requirement for travel from time to time and the successful candidates will be asked to show an up to date travel document.

This role will be ideal for candidates based in Central or South America. Before you apply, please note that we are unable to offer work visas and can only engage with candidates with valid work authorisation for the country in which they are based.

Please contact Ruth Gardner at ruth@darylupsall.com for any queries you may have.

The deadline for application is Sunday 5^th January 2025

This will be a rolling process so please submit your application as soon as possible.

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Daryl Upsall International actively promotes equality, diversity and inclusion. In recruiting candidates, we seek candidates with the proven skills required; irrespective of race, gender, religion or belief, age, disability or sexual orientation.