Director of Operations - SwingPals, Inc., Durham, NC

JOB Nationally Recognized Durham Nonprofit Seeks First Director of OperationsView the Recruitment Brochure HERE Located in the thriving City of Durham, NC, is a unique organization that impacts the lives of nearly 2,000 middle school-aged (6th – 8th grade) children through its school-based programs each school year. SwingPals, Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, seeks its first Director of Operations (Director). SwingPals has touched over 10,000 students, most of which face economic and social adversity, since its inception in 2010. SwingPals is focused on improving the physical and mental wellbeing of students in Durham Public Schools (DPS), offering paradigm shifting programming in schools, afterschool and home-based so students may unlock and access their untapped potential. The programs offered by SwingPals demonstrate how synchronicity of the heart, mind, and body assists learning, goal-setting, and relationship-building skills.The first Director will work collaboratively with staff and stakeholders to advance the organization through the responsibilities of process improvement, change implementation, and personnel management. Critical skills will be in workflow evaluation, making systemic improvements, overseeing employee goals, performance evaluations, and developing accountability metrics. Someone well-versed in organizational management, system development, communication best practices, and effective management is desired for this position. The Freedom To Be – A SwingPals Story – is a powerful testimony to a great need in society that SwingPals is addressing. Children must be provided the social and emotional skills needed to process historical and present-day trauma and to address any roadblocks to learning. SwingPals envisions and is motivated to ensure every Durham public school child, whose family lacks resources, feels valued, respected, and is free to pursue their potential for a healthy, safe, confident, and fulfilling life. Families are intentionally included in this process. A significant part of the SwingPals program is mindfulness and emotional regulation. The SwingPals methodology is backed by science as they coach students to focus their minds, achieve emotional balance, respond positively to stress, and assist students with decision-making and confidence. SwingPals provides students with an in-depth process to develop the emotional regulation skills and enhance self-awareness to make good choices and access their full potential. As seen through this video, it is paradigm shift methodology. The SwingPals approach uniquely uses golf as a tool and resource to support mindfulness practices, BUT, it is not a junior golf program. The model is aligned with the national movement to introduce effective social and emotional programming in schools and was recognized by Golf Digest as one of ten programs in the Nation for having a significant impact in their community. The SwingPals Director of Operations supports efforts to educate others about the organization, partners with the Executive Director to expand advocacy, marketing efforts, and to increase fundraising through a systemized approach. The SwingPals Director of Operations will carefully promote and steward the organization’s growth while preserving its unique brand and image. Leveraging stakeholders to uphold, embrace, and value the SwingPals philosophy and methodology is an essential part of growth. About the Organization: Founded by PGA Member, Doug Hodges in 2010 who serves as Executive Director, SwingPals has a 10-member Board of Directors. As Executive Director, Doug is so passionate about the organization and its mission that he donates 100% of his time as Executive Director. Doug is also the largest donor each year through his family foundation which he created in 2010 to launch the SwingPals program. Year after year, the organization’s leaders and staff build upon its momentum, bringing joy to many and aiding children in unlocking and accessing their untapped potential. This school year, through coaching mindfulness, emotional regulation, and physical coordination in schools, SwingPals will positively impact the health and well-being of close to 2,000 students. SwingPals delivers programming in five of the nine Durham Public Middle Schools where students have the least family resources, many of whom reside in single-parent homes, foster care, or in communities with widespread trauma, drug use, gangs, teen pregnancy, and poverty. These schools have markedly low percentages of students testing at or above grade level in reading and math and have the highest rates of absenteeism and disciplinary actions. Learning for these children is greatly affected when they are enduring the effects of trauma. Their needs call for innovative and transformative programs like SwingPals, with an established and successful track record, to develop young leaders beginning in middle school. The organization’s year-round after-school program is available to students through 12th grade. SwingPals addresses these societal and cultural issues by working with students in school, at home (virtually), and at Hillandale Golf Course. SwingPals uses bio-feedback tools to help students learn to transition from experiencing negative emotions to experiencing positive ones. Those benefitting from SwingPals in-school programs are 50% female, 50% male, 45% African American, 34% Hispanic, 13% White, and 8% other. Sixty-five percent of participants are eligible for free/reduced lunch as determined by federal income levels. Highlighting a strong partnership with Durham County and the City of Durham, SwingPals operates its after-school programs for no charge at the city-owned Hillandale Golf Course. A team of five full-time employees, two interns, and 20+ volunteer coaches assist with delivering SwingPals’ programs. Learn more about SwingPals here. EXAMPLE OF DUTIES About the Position: Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Operations will oversee the organization's day-to-day operations, including program implementation and evaluation, scheduling, budget, personnel, and volunteer management. The Director of Operations will oversee four talented and passionate staff including a Program Director, Business Manager, golf coach, and mindfulness coach, with plans to increase staff as resources allow. The Program Director and Business Manager being direct reports to the Director. The Director will implement consistent opportunities for staff engagement, team building, and development. The Director of Operations will uphold the organization’s eight guiding principles, on which all ideas, actions, and decisions are based. The first and arguably the most important is: "To serve children who face economic and social adversity.” The mission-driven leader sought for this position has knowledge and awareness of collaborating and working within the public school system, mindfulness practices, and the importance of developing emotional regulation and self-awareness skills to promote mental, physical, and emotional health. Utilizing the organization's paradigm-shifting methodology, the Director of Operations will facilitate efforts to unite Durham Public Schools in a culture of success and collaboration. The organization’s $400K+ operating budget will increase rapidly over the next several years to fulfill its strategic vision. SwingPal’s budget is expected to more than double by FY 2026. Plans for the organization include a staff office and coaching space adjacent to the driving range on the Hillandale Golf Course and a Phase 3 program expansion currently being piloted at Neal Middle School, which will scale up its existing school-based 6th-grade program to serve 7th and 8th-grade students as well. In addition, Phase 3 will include adding a 6th grade SwingPals Mindfulness Monday Elective.Key Priorities: Ensure all stakeholders continue to reinforce and promote philosophy, ideology, and methodology of the SwingPals model.Evaluate operations, staffing, and programs and work collaboratively with the Executive Director, staff, and key stakeholders to determine and implement the organization’s strategic priorities, including overseeing the building project at the Hillandale Golf Course while also overseeing all daily operations.Ensure sufficient principles, practices, and systems are in place to improve consistency, efficiency, and organization in service delivery and workflow, while upholding the organization’s highest standards of safety. Ensure that policies and procedures are developed, revised, and followed with an emphasis on safety and effective operations. This will include the creation of a company operations manual. Explore opportunities to enhance cohesion between the golf and mindfulness space within the organization's programs and implement methods to track and evaluate student progress consistently. Demonstrate a commitment to continued training and professional development for staff to build skills, achieve performance excellence, enhance morale, and develop staff for promotional opportunities and varied job assignments. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION About the Community: The City of Durham, the County Seat of Durham County, is home to Research Triangle Park (RTP) and is one of the most economically competitive regions in the world. Within Durham County boundaries are six townships, seven unincorporated communities, two census-designated communities, and parts of two Towns (Chapel Hill and Morrisville). Research and development from the region's major research institutions and many private and federal labs have fueled business and economic growth in Durham County and have made the region a world leader in life sciences, information technology, and clean technology. RTP, which continues to grow, is a 7,000-acre special county research and production district that houses more than 170 major research companies employing 39,000+ full-time employees and 10,000+ contract workers. Consistently ranked among the top places to live, work, and play, Durham is a magnet for talent, which helps attract innovative companies working in high-growth industries. Durham, the "City of Medicine," has long been known for world-class medical facilities, including top-ranked Duke University Medical Center and an industry-leading pharmaceutical sector. The healthcare industry in Durham County includes more than 300 medical and health-related companies and medical practices with a combined payroll that exceeds $1.2 billion annually. Private investment is flourishing, redeveloping former tobacco and textile warehouses and historic buildings into exciting, mixed-use developments filled with diverse and popular housing options, restaurants, artist studios, retail spaces, and small businesses. The launch of American Underground, a startup incubator and accelerator, and the Durham Innovation District, an ever-evolving, 1.8 million-square-foot, 27-acre innovation hub, is cultivating a unique connection for tenants, residents, visitors, and neighbors. Durham boasts a premier performing arts center and the Durham Bulls AAA baseball team. In addition to Duke University, Durham is home to North Carolina Central University, the nation’s first public Historically Black College and University, now a major center for biotech and bio-manufacturing R&D, and Durham Technical Community College, a key partner in preparing a competitive workforce. Salary and Benefits: The hiring range for this position is $80,000 - $100,000, depending on experience and qualifications. SwingPals, Inc. provides a generous benefits package that includes a $3,600 Health Insurance Stipend ($300 /mo.) and a 401 (k) with an employer matched contribution of 2:1 (Employer: Employee) up to 10% of Employee’s salary. To apply, please visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/developmentalassociates and click on the title of Director of Operations – SwingPals, Inc., Durham, NC. Please note the following: All applications must be submitted online via the Developmental Associates application portal (link above)—NOT the organization's employment application portal or any other external website. Resumes and cover letters must be uploaded with the application. Applicants should apply by September 26, 2024. The Hiring Manager will invite successful semi-finalists to participate in virtual interviews and skill evaluation on October 29 - 30, 2024. Candidates are encouraged to reserve these dates for virtual meetings should they be invited to participate. In-person interviews with the hiring team will be held by mid-November. Direct inquiries to hiring@developmentalassociates.com. SwingPals, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. SwingPals, Inc. does not and shall not discriminate based on race, color, religion (creed), gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status in any of its activities or operations. Developmental Associates, LLC manages the recruitment and selection process for this position. To learn more about our selection process, visit https://developmentalassociates.com/client-openings/ and scroll down to “Important Information for Applicants.”