Senior Manager, Operations

Position Summary

The Senior Manager of Operations provides leadership and oversight for The Arc Howard County's operational infrastructure, including facilities and building systems, fleet assets, technology infrastructure and support, vendor and contract management, workplace safety, OSHA compliance, physical security, emergency preparedness, and operational projects. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Senior Manager translates organizational priorities into effective operational plans and ensures that facilities, vehicles, technology systems, vendors, and physical resources support the organization's mission and service delivery. The position provides direct leadership to the Chief Engineer and Technology IT Systems Lead and manages external service providers supporting operational functions. The administrative function is not included within Operations and will report through Human Resources.

Essential Functions

Provide operational leadership and management.

• Lead the Operations function and establish priorities aligned with organizational goals and service needs.
• Translate organizational strategy into actionable operating plans, projects, timelines, and performance expectations.
• Supervise, coach, and develop assigned Operations staff, including the Chief Engineer and Technology/IT Systems Lead.
• Identify operational risks, analyze root causes, and implement practical and sustainable solutions.
• Lead cross-functional operational initiatives involving facilities, technology, fleet, safety, security, and organizational infrastructure.
• Serve as a key operational resource to the Executive Director and leadership team.

Manage facilities, building systems, and capital needs.

• Oversee organizational buildings, facilities, grounds, equipment, and related infrastructure.
• Direct preventive and corrective maintenance programs and ensure timely resolution of facility-related issues.
• Oversee HVAC, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, life-safety, and other critical building systems.
• Manage facility inspections, contractors, landlords, property-management relationships, and service vendors.
• Coordinate space planning, renovations, repairs, equipment placement, and facility improvement projects.
• Develop short- and long-term facility and major-equipment replacement priorities and support capital planning.

Provide oversight of fleet assets and vehicle infrastructure.

• Establish and monitor standards for vehicle maintenance, inspections, registrations, repairs, and fleet safety.
• Develop vehicle replacement and lifecycle plans and monitor vehicle condition, utilization, and operating costs.
• Manage fleet-related vendors and coordinate vehicle acquisition, replacement, and disposal recommendations.
• Partner with Finance and insurance representatives regarding fleet coverage and vehicle claims.
• Collaborate with the Transportation Manager and program leadership to support vehicle availability and program needs.
• Maintain responsibility for fleet governance and vehicle assets; day-to-day driver supervision, routing, scheduling, staffing, and transportation service delivery will reside within Programs or another designated management function.

Oversee technology systems and support.

• Provide direct oversight to the Technology/IT Systems Lead and/or manage relationships with external managed technology service providers.
• Coordinate technology vendors, hardware, software, telecommunications, equipment inventory, and support services.
• Establish service expectations and monitor technology support, system reliability, and equipment availability.
• Develop technology equipment replacement and lifecycle-management plans and coordinate technology purchasing within approved budgets.
• Partner with Human Resources on employee technology setup, access, and equipment recovery processes.
• Support cybersecurity, access controls, data protection, and technology risk-management efforts in partnership with service providers and leadership.
• Evaluate technology solutions and the appropriate balance between internal technology resources and outsourced support.

Manage vendors, procurement, and contracts.

• Identify, evaluate, and recommend operational vendors based on service quality, cost, responsiveness, and organizational requirements.
• Coordinate competitive bids, proposals, and procurement processes when appropriate.
• Negotiate or support the negotiation of operational contracts, pricing, service agreements, and deliverables.
• Monitor vendor performance and hold external partners accountable to established service expectations.
• Coordinate contract renewals and identify opportunities for vendor consolidation, cost reduction, or improved service.
• Partner with Finance and organizational leadership regarding significant purchases and contractual commitments.

Lead operational safety, OSHA compliance, security, and emergency preparedness.

• Coordinate workplace safety initiatives and OSHA-related compliance activities affecting organizational facilities and operations.
• Conduct or coordinate facility and workplace safety inspections and ensure corrective actions are completed.
• Maintain appropriate safety documentation and coordinate required operational safety training.
• Work collaboratively with Human Resources, Quality, and program leadership regarding workplace incidents, safety concerns, and risk mitigation.
• Oversee physical security systems, building access, alarms, cameras, and related security vendors as applicable.
• Lead the operational components of emergency preparedness and business continuity planning, including facility, weather, utility, and other operational disruptions.

Manage operational budgets, assets, and projects.

• Develop and manage the annual Operations budget in collaboration with the Executive Director and Finance.
• Forecast significant maintenance, facility, fleet, equipment, and technology expenditures and maintain multi-year asset replacement plans.
• Monitor operational expenses and identify opportunities for efficiency and cost savings without compromising safety or service quality.
• Develop business justifications and recommendations for significant operational purchases and investments.
• Lead operational projects from planning through implementation, including scope, timelines, budgets, responsibilities, and deliverables.
• Partner with Finance and Development regarding significant capital needs and potential funding opportunities.

Other Functions

• Participate in organizational leadership initiatives and cross-department projects as assigned.
• Maintain effective working relationships with employees, vendors, contractors, partners, and community stakeholders.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Director.

Education & Experience Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Facilities Management, Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field required; an equivalent combination of education and significant relevant experience may be considered.
• Seven or more years of progressively responsible operations experience, including at least three years of management or supervisory experience leading technical or professional staff.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing facilities, building systems, HVAC operations, contractors, and preventive maintenance programs.
• Experience managing vendors, procurement activities, service agreements, contracts, and vendor performance.
• Working knowledge of OSHA requirements, workplace safety, physical security, emergency preparedness, and operational risk-management principles.
• Experience developing and managing departmental budgets, capital projects, asset-replacement plans, and major operational initiatives.
• Strong leadership, analytical, problem-solving, project-management, communication, and relationship-management skills; ability to work autonomously and respond appropriately to urgent operational issues.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and relevant business systems.

Preferred Skills

• Experience overseeing organizational fleet assets, vehicle maintenance programs, and replacement planning strongly preferred.
• Experience managing or coordinating technology vendors, IT support, technology infrastructure, or managed service providers strongly preferred.
• Experience within a nonprofit, healthcare, human-services, disability-services, or similarly complex service organization preferred

Work Environment

This position operates in professional office, program, facility, and community environments. The Senior Manager of Operations will regularly visit organizational locations to assess operational conditions, oversee projects, meet with employees and vendors, and respond to operational needs. Regular travel between organizational locations is required.

Work Schedule

This position is full-time and is an on-site position. The Senior Manager of Operations is expected to work on site Monday through Friday during The Arc office hours. Occasional evening, weekend, or after-hours availability may be required to respond to significant facility, technology, fleet, safety, weather, or other operational matters.

Physical & Mental Demands

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable people with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, employees are regularly required to sit, walk and stand; talk or hear, both in person and by telephone; use hands repetitively to finger, handle, feel or operate standard office equipment; reach with hands and arms; and lift up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and the ability to adjust focus. Ability to drive is a requirement of this position.

Mental Demands

While performing the duties of this job, employees are regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret, data information and documents; analyze and solve non-routine and complex problems; use math and mathematical reasoning; observe and interpret situations; learn and apply new information or skills; perform highly detailed work on multiple, concurrent tasks; work under intensive deadlines with frequent interruptions; and interact with the community stakeholders including elected and appointed officials, staff, people served, the public and others encountered in the course of work.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Arc of Howard County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law.

E-Verify

The Arc of Howard County uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities as an applicant, please visit


Applications can be submitted electronically or by submitting a paper resume to: The Arc of Howard County

11735 Homewood Road Ellicott City, MD 21042

ADA Statement

The Arc of Howard County is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable laws.

Mission & Safeguarding Commitment

The Arc of Howard County is committed to promoting the health, safety, dignity, rights, and full community inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Employees are expected to uphold all standards regarding abuse prevention, mandated reporting, person-centered planning, and protection of vulnerable individuals.

Disclaimer

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. The Arc reserves the right to revise the position and assign additional responsibilities as needed. Nothing in this document constitutes a contract of employment.