Job Announcement-Office Manager

 

 

Organization Summary

The Highlander Research and Education Center is an 85-year-old popular education center that works with grassroots groups across the U.S. South and Appalachia to promote social and economic justice. We are located 25 miles northeast of Knoxville, Tennessee on a 186-acre farm and we also work in local communities throughout our region. Highlander’s long and proud history includes cutting edge work with labor education and organizing, the Civil Rights Movement and racial justice, environmental justice and economic transition in Appalachia, and more. Widely acclaimed as a leadership development center for grassroots activists across race, culture, and generations, Highlander is world-renowned as a beacon for transformative justice organizing and movement accompaniment and support.

 

Overview of Position

The Office Manager serves on the Operations Team and provides support to Highlander’s various teams and aids the entire staff in the efficient operation of the organization.  The team responds to general inquiries and assists visitors and workshop participants with information, orientation, and referral.  The Operations Team consists of the CFO/Operations Coordinator, the Accountant/Bookkeeper, the Building & Grounds Manager, the Workshop Center Coordinator, and the Office Manager. Responsible directly to the Operations Coordinator/CFO.  Work in conjunction with, and provide support to, the Executive Directors, Operations Team, Development Team Education Team, and other administrative staff.

 

Time Commitment:

Commitment of 40 hours per week is required. This position will require flexibility in arrival and departure time to support the work.

 

General Duties

• Act and speak organizationally

• Represent the mission, strategic plan, and work plan of Highlander in meetings. Fieldwork and events
• Share Highlander’s history and educational process with others.
  • Keep constituents at the center of the work; maintain respectful interactions that support the development of individuals and groups
  • Work with education and operations teams and support the work of the staff as a whole
• Work collaboratively
• Serve on staff committees
• Accept organizational tasks as assigned
  • Be productive in time management
    • Participate in strategic and annual organizational planning and evaluation
    • Participate in fundraising
    • Maintain a high standard of political and ethical behavior
    • Actively participate as a member of a democratically managed center

 

Duties:

Office and Receptionist

• Manage hrec@highlandercenter.org e-mail account daily and distribute messages to proper personnel
• respond to telephone, mail, e-mail and fax requests for general information – volunteer intake, questions about programs and events, etc
• receive, organize, and distribute incoming & outgoing mail
• log incoming checks into check-log
• assist staff with questions about copier, postage machine and other office equipment
• maintain central files (file all paperwork, keep files current and organized, assist other personnel with finding files)
• compile and send out board books
• maintain contact list for staff and board
• maintain phone system – order new phones as needed, prepare phones for new staff, etc
• provide basic tours and history for drop in visitors
• answer telephone and direct calls to proper personnel
• maintain office equipment – copier, postage meter, fax and order supplies for this equipment as needed and work with vendors to maintain functionality of equipment and good vendor relations
• interface with couriers and delivery persons
• in conjunction with Workshop Center Coordinator, maintain office cleaning schedule
• maintain office common areas in a neat and orderly fashion
• provide administrative support to staff as needed

 

Bookstore

• Manage inventory of the lobby bookstore
• Sell books and manage book orders
• Track accounts payable and receivables for the bookstore
• Work with bookstore manager as needed

 

Visitors, Calendar and Workshops

• welcome visitors and guests
• collect guest information and provide as needed to Workshop Center Staff and others
• invoice customers and maintain low level of receivables
• maintain an updated calendar to provide date information to telephone inquiries
• coordinate travel arrangements for workshop participants, Board Members, and visitors (order cabs, provide directions when necessary, etc.)

 

Development

• Enter visitor and volunteer contact information into database
• Support Development team with additional data entry as needed

 

Helpful Skills & Experience

 

• Bilingual (Spanish/English) helpful

 

Expectations of All Staff Positions at Highlander

• Passionate about and committed to Highlander’s purpose, and able to communicate our work effectively
• Committed to racial, gender, economic, environmental and social justice
• Self-starter as well as a team player
• Organized and ability to balance multiple responsibilities with grace
• Active participation in a democratic participatory organization
• Sense of humor welcome and most helpful
• High degree of honesty and integrity

 

Salary and Benefits

Highlander has an existing pay scale and excellent benefits package

 

Start Date

Highlander will review applications on a rolling basis, with in-person interviews for final candidates in mid-April. The position is open until filled and starts as soon as possible, with plans to fill the position by April 12, 2018. Application materials received by April 1 are appreciated.

 

To Apply

Send letter of interest, resume, and 3 references in 1 PDF document to apply@highlandercenter.org (Please put your name & “OFFICE MANAGER” in Subject Line of email) or mail to: Search Committee / Office Manager, 1959 Highlander Way, New Market TN 37820.