Director of Operations

Global Support and Development’s mission is to conduct immediate post-disaster humanitarian relief in underserved communities worldwide, leveraging diverse skill sets and community based solutions to alleviate human suffering, enhance resilience, and foster sustainability.

The strength of this organization lies in the quality of our teams, the breadth of their combined experience, and relevant specializations individuals bring to every response. Our team members have operational skill sets rivaling the most specialized emergency response organizations and agencies, but GSD’s leanness and agility mean the organization can mobilize and arrive on the scene of a disaster faster than larger organizations, carrying everything needed to be effective. GSD teams can deploy within 24 hours of a disaster when the need for lifesaving emergency assistance is most critical.

The Director of Operations (DO) will supervise and oversee daily operational activities, ensure deployment readiness of the team, and manage teams deploying into the field. To ensure disaster response capabilities the DO will oversee the Maritime, Air Operations, WASH, Media, Rescue, and Communications departments. The DO role will regularly work cross functionally with other departments, including, but not limited to, Training, Logistics, and Medical for proper coordination as teams prepare and operate in the communities GSD serves. The DO reports to the Chief Operating Officer.

Responsibilities

• Supervise the daily, weekly, and monthly operations of the Operations Department;

• Manage and supervise the sub-departments within Operations, leading and leveraging the capabilities of the Operations Deputy Directors;

• Develop, manage, and maintain the budget of the entire Operations department;

• Coordinate with the Operations Deputy Directors to ensure daily and weekly staffing capabilities to ensure GSD can meet all operational requirements;

• Create and maintain an alert roster during disaster season to maintain operational readiness for short notice global disaster deployments;

• Supervise the operational cycle for all deployments to include preparation, deployment, execution, reverse deployment, and recovery/reset;

• Periodically perform duties from the Base of Operations (BoO) or Emergency Operations Center (EOC);

• Work with the Training Department to develop the training required for skills development, maintenance, and/or enhancement;

• Coordinate closely with the Utility Department to ensure that GSD teams are capable of conducting all assigned operations, exercises, and engagements;

• Support the other departments in the development, maintenance, and enhancement of relationships with other government entities, NGOs, and private organizations to facilitate all assigned operations and training;

• Provide coaching and mentorship to junior members of the organization for professional development;

• Manage the cooperation requirements and information flow across staff for maximized efficiency.

Qualifications

• 8-10 years of professional leadership experience in non-profit and/or for-profit organizations in complex multi-stakeholder environments.

• 8 or more years managing disaster response teams in international locales.

• Veterans with relevant operational, organizational and team leadership experience are encouraged to apply.

• Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

• The DO is a Tier 2 role that requires the physical ability to complete the arduous pack test for wildland firefighters. Tier 2 roles provide support for the forward deployed team in the field and may operate from staging sites in moderately austere environments.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outdoor weather conditions and occasionally exposed to wet or humid conditions (non-weather); work near moving mechanical parts; work in high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; risk of electrical shock; work with explosives and vibration.

• Able to travel and work irregular or extended hours.