The Director of Shared Services will lead the creation, development, and execution of the Shared Services Alliance, a collective group aimed at reducing costs and improving the operations of childcare providers in Southwest Virginia. The director will play a pivotal role in coordinating and fostering relationships with participating providers and alliance staff, overseeing shared services, providing leadership to the team, and ensuring alignment with key project goals.

Job Relationships:

The Director of Shared Services reports to the Vice President of Community Impact and must maintain an ongoing working relationship with the Director of Community Impact, the Direct of Research and Data Analytics, members of the senior leadership team, and department directors and managers.

• Provide strategic leadership to the Shared Services Alliance team, guiding the launch and development of this innovative collaborative project. Ensure the achievement of key milestones including public launch of the Shared Services Alliance, providing fiscal services to a substantial number of childcare providers, and securing HR related expertise accessible to all members.
• Oversee and manage the Shared Services Alliance team, fostering an environment that promotes collaboration, growth, and high performance.
• Coordinate shared administrative functions including fiscal management, human resources, and enrollment management. Assist in the creation of professional development training opportunities, aiding to maximize the use of technology, and improving the operational efficiency of member organizations.
• Work closely with community stakeholders, building and nurturing relationships to facilitate the objectives of the Shared Services Alliance.
• Lead project planning, tracking, and execution within the Shared Services Alliance, ensuring that the two-year activity plan for each staff person is successfully implemented and tracked using an appropriate software system.
• Oversee the provision of technical assistance to members, assisting in the use of technology equipment and software. Regularly track the number of technical assistance sessions and guidance accesses.
• Collaborate with human resources specialists to provide members with HR services, tracking the number of accessed sessions with human resource services.
• Guide the childcare field specific fiscal management efforts and provide related services to participating providers, tracking the number of providers using fiscal management services and the number of times guidance documents are accessed.
• Facilitate professional development opportunities for alliance members, monitoring the number of training sessions held and the number of participants for each.
• Aid new start-up childcare businesses by providing technical assistance up to the point of applying for licensure, with the goal to assist a significant number of new providers.
• Monitor and report on the progress of the Shared Services Alliance, tracking the number of participating childcare providers, the number of new childcare providers, and the range of services utilized, among other metrics.

Requirements of the Position:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Proven experience in launching new products, businesses, or collaborative projects.
• Demonstrated leadership skills with experience in managing a team.
• Experience working within the community, preferably in Southwest Virginia.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Solid understanding of fiscal management, human resources, and enrollment management.
• Experience in childcare or education sector preferred.
• Computer Proficiency and Experience: Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Adobe, Publisher, Google Programs (Drive, Sheets, and Docs).
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience leading large-scale projects delivered on time, within budget and with a high level of quality.
• Commitment to excellence and to the mission of UWSWVA. Internally motivated to recognize and act on opportunities to further the mission of UWSWVA.

Education and/or Experience – Bachelor’s degree in Business, Management, Human Services or related field.  Minimum of 5 years of experience in shared services, business, entrepreneurship, or related field.

Residency and Travel – Preference is given to applicants who reside in the service area and are available to attend early morning, evening, and/or weekend meetings on a periodic basis, and who can travel independently throughout Southwest Virginia.

Language Skills – Ability to read, analyze, and interpret the most complex documents. Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints. Ability to write speeches and articles using original or innovative techniques or style. Ability to make effective and persuasive speeches and presentations on controversial or complex topics to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.

Mathematical Skills – Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations – Valid driver’s license and automobile insurance required, access to high-speed internet at home required.

Physical Demands – The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment – The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.