Chief of Operations & Strategy (Trauma-Informed)

Vice President of Operations Full-time/Benefits Eligible Salary: $100,000/year (not negotiable). Bilingual (English/Spanish) Preferred. Working hours: Monday through Friday 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Flexibility is needed for evening and weekend to assist with time‑sensitive matters and to provide adequate support to staff. Bilingual differential pay available. Position Overview The Vice President of Operations (VPO) is a key member of Emerge’s Senior Leadership Team and serves as a strategic executive leader responsible for ensuring that Emerge’s infrastructure, compliance systems, operational environment and organizational support functions are strong, responsive, legally compliant and aligned with the organization’s mission, values and strategic priorities. The VPO leads organization‑wide operational strategy across facilities, technology, safety, risk management, vendor oversight, data infrastructure and operational continuity. The VPO ensures that Emerge’s internal environment effectively supports equitable, trauma‑informed service delivery while protecting participant safety, staff effectiveness and institutional resilience. Responsibilities Common to All Agency Employees Commit to upholding the agency’s mission, vision, community guidelines and values of safety, liberation, responsibility & repair, love, innovation, and joy. We value diversity, inclusion, equity and belonging in all that we do. Engage in radical service to, and acceptance of, staff and participants as they are by committing to showing up with integrity and love and encouraging all to use their power to effect change. Commit to creating and maintaining a safe, equitable, trauma‑informed, and healing work environment for all participants and staff members. Commit to a culture of understanding how our collective actions affect participants’ efforts to regain their independence and rebuild their lives. Assess potential crisis situations by responding to, and accurately documenting, in an equity‑centered and trauma‑informed manner while notifying appropriate personnel as soon as possible. Follow all protocols and practices of Emerge programs, as well as all city, county, state and federal rules. Display an ability to identify problems and generate a range of solutions utilizing creativity, collaboration, open communication and critical thinking skills. Maintain confidentiality of shelter sites and information pertaining to all staff, participants and visitors. Dedicate to personal development, furthering knowledge, services and approaches to better meet needs of participants and staff. Strive for innovation incorporating new tools, practices and mindsets that support relationship building, rest, restoration and healing; not only for collective liberation but also for our individual wholeness, freedom, and ability to thrive. Attend all meetings and trainings as required. Responsibilities Common to All Leadership Positions Ensure that programs, services and practices support the vision, mission, community guidelines, values and philosophy of the agency. Cultivate a culture of love, safety, liberation, responsibility and repair, innovation, anti‑racism and anti‑oppression, and support and promote innovative practices aligned with these values. Support values‑based leadership and actively build an equity‑centered culture where fairness, justice and inclusivity are at the forefront of decision making and organizational practices. Promote, embrace and actively seek to co‑create spaces that are inclusive of employees from diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences. Build relationships and a sense of community among staff, with a focus on increasing equity, inclusion and belonging through collaborative and co‑creative practice. Encourage power sharing and take action to create a culture where staff feel valued, respected and empowered to perform their best using their gifts, skills, knowledge and lived experiences to transform the organization and the community we serve. Ensure that the practices function in accordance with standards set forth in contracts and agency policy. Foster positive and effective, non‑violent communication that promotes transparency, responsibility and inclusivity. Manage programs to ensure they are equitable, sustainable and results driven. Stay informed about current domestic abuse information and regulations. Continuously monitor and evaluate the organization’s progress. Be knowledgeable in the techniques used to plan, implement and evaluate programs or initiatives. Be able to work well independently and be self‑motivated. Proficient in computer skills including e‑mail, calendars, document processing, spreadsheets and databases. Be able and willing to travel within a designated service area for work. Senior Leadership, Strategic Operations & Organizational Governance Serve as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, contributing to strategic planning, agency‑wide leadership, organizational governance, and values‑based decision‑making. Lead execution of organization‑wide operational strategy in alignment with Emerge’s mission, values, equity‑centered commitments and strategic priorities. Translate strategic direction into clear operational frameworks, systems and implementation plans across all sites and departments. Ensure operational systems effectively support participant services, staff effectiveness, compliance and organizational sustainability. Identify, assess and mitigate agency‑wide operational risks in partnership with senior leadership. Provide executive guidance related to infrastructure, operations, systems capacity, continuity planning and institutional resilience. Support CEO and Senior Leadership Team decision‑making through legal, operational, infrastructure and systems analysis. Represent operational priorities in strategic planning and organizational growth initiatives. Ensure organizational compliance with all applicable federal, state, local, contractual and funder requirements, including DES, VOCA, VAWA, ADA/ADAAA, OSHA, confidentiality and related standards. Develop and maintain systems for compliance monitoring, corrective action planning, audit readiness and continuous quality improvement. Oversee agency‑wide operational risk management, including safety systems, infrastructure security, confidentiality protections, insurance coordination and liability reduction. Partner with insurance brokers, carriers, attorneys and executive leadership to maintain legally compliant and fiscally responsible organizational protections. Ensure policies, procedures and operational practices align with regulatory obligations and organizational standards. Oversee management, maintenance, safety, accessibility and long‑term planning for all Emerge facilities, including shelter, community‑based sites, administrative offices and related infrastructure. Ensure all facilities meet applicable health, safety, ADA, DES, confidentiality and regulatory standards. Lead facility upgrades, infrastructure improvements, maintenance systems and capital‑related operational projects. Maintain broad oversight of fleet and vehicle management, preventative maintenance and operational repair systems. Oversee technology infrastructure, including IT systems, phones, internet, hardware, software, communication systems and cybersecurity protections. Serve as primary executive liaison for IT vendors and operational technology partners. Ensure secure, stable, user‑centered and confidentiality‑protected technology systems that support staff and participant needs. Oversee emergency preparedness, operational continuity planning, communicable illness response and infrastructure‑related crisis response systems. Ensure site security, maintenance workflows, protected location safeguards, access controls and continuity systems are reliable, secure and consistently implemented. Budget, Financial Stewardship, Vendor, Legal & Contract Oversight Oversee operational budgets related to facilities, infrastructure, technology, security, vendor contracts and operational services. Partner with the CEO and Senior Leadership Team to support resource generation, fund development, sound financial management protocols, internal controls, budget development and responsible stewardship of organizational resources. Identify cost‑saving opportunities that preserve safety, compliance and operational effectiveness. Oversee vendor relationships, operational contracts, procurement systems, legal coordination and service partnerships. Monitor vendor accountability, service quality, compliance standards and fiscal responsibility. Support insurance strategy, contract integrity and resource stewardship in alignment with organizational sustainability. Data, Funding Infrastructure & Organizational Accountability Oversee infrastructure supporting data integrity, grant compliance, funder accountability and operational reporting systems. Support accurate, timely and comprehensive reporting to governmental and non‑governmental funding sources. Partner with executive leadership to strengthen operational readiness for grant compliance, donor systems and funding sustainability. Process Improvement, Systems Innovation & Organizational Effectiveness Evaluate, strengthen and optimize internal operational systems to improve efficiency, consistency, scalability and organizational effectiveness. Identify barriers impacting operations, infrastructure, coordination, workflow or service support systems and implement strategic solutions. Lead cross‑functional operational initiatives that strengthen organizational performance and reduce inefficiencies. Build sustainable systems that support organizational growth, innovation and resilience. Promote operational excellence through systems redesign, process improvement and infrastructure modernization. External Representation & Stakeholder Engagement Represent Emerge with operational, regulatory, legal, infrastructure and systems stakeholders as appropriate. Participate in external committees, planning groups, operational partnerships and community collaborations as needed. Strengthen relationships with vendors, funders, legal systems, infrastructure partners and external agencies. Communicate operational priorities clearly to internal and external stakeholders. Required Experience and Qualifications Minimum seven (7) years of senior leadership experience, with strong preference for at least three (3) years within nonprofit, domestic violence, human services or mission‑driven organizations. Demonstrated experience overseeing complex organizational operations, infrastructure, compliance systems and cross‑functional strategic initiatives. Knowledge of the dynamics of domestic abuse and/or sexual violence. Strong knowledge of financial management, internal controls, budgeting, resource stewardship and operational accountability. Knowledge of local, state and federal funding systems, grant compliance requirements and funding opportunities. Experience functioning effectively within large, complex systems and institutions while maintaining adaptability and strategic problem‑solving. Demonstrated commitment and ability to actively interrupt racism, homophobia, transphobia and systemic oppression within organizational and community settings. Strong capacity to build authentic, trust‑based relationships through listening, accountability, vulnerability and collaborative leadership. Ability to critically examine personal and systemic power, privilege and oppression in service of equitable leadership. Exceptional written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills. Demonstrated consistency, accuracy, discretion and thoroughness in leadership practice. Strong technical proficiency with organizational systems, including e‑mail, calendars, spreadsheets, databases and operational technology platforms. Ability to manage competing priorities, shifting deadlines, crisis response and evolving organizational needs while maintaining strategic focus. Deep commitment to trauma‑informed, equity‑centered, survivor‑centered and purpose‑driven leadership. Preferred Experience and Qualifications Expertise in domestic violence, gender‑based violence, systemic oppression or broader community violence prevention. Experience in a nonprofit and/or social services setting. Other Requirements Ability to obtain appropriate fingerprint clearance through the Arizona Department of Public Safety. Ability to obtain CPR/First Aid certification. Valid Arizona Driver License and proof of automobile insurance (as applicable). Physical Demands Must be able to sit or stand during an 8–10‑hour workday. Must be able to lift twenty‑five pounds. Work Environment Emerge staff provide high‑quality, compassionate care to our participants, and we work together to ensure that survivors receive the support they need. We offer a range of services, including case management, lay legal assistance, housing support and advocacy. We offer ongoing training and professional development opportunities to help our staff members grow and develop in their roles. Overall, our Community Based Services sites are a dynamic and rewarding place to work, where staff can make a real difference in the lives of others. #J-18808-Ljbffr Tucson LGBT Chamber