BUSINESS OPERATIONS AND ADMINISTRATIVE LEAD|IMAGINE DELIVER

A consulting firm for the ‘new majority,’ Imagine Deliver helps clients activate insights and strategies that benefit everyone. Imagine Deliver knows the best systems, services, and products are designed by the people who use them. Focused on equity-centered service design – and rooted in community-based research and creative engagement methodologies – Imagine Deliver connects the most relevant community insights to their client’s strategic goals. Recent clients include United Healthcare, the McKnight Foundation, Wilder Foundation, the University of Minnesota, and the City of Saint Paul.

The Business Operations and Administrative Lead reports to the COO and is a foundational role at the Imagine Deliver, affecting every team member and client relationship in various ways. This role requires you to have an independently proactive drive with creative problem-solving skills, meticulous project management, a relentless technological curiosity, and an equity lens that guides your internal compass. To enjoy this work, do well, and grow over time, you need to have a ton of energy, love to move fast, and thrive on keeping track of details. You want to work for a B Corp that works efficiently and with intention.

People describe you as ‘lightning in a bottle’ because you bring a certain magic to everything you do. You know how to hold your power in any room, you are excellent at managing ‘up,’ and you take personal pride in enabling the success of a team. You want to work and grow on an entrepreneurial team with a high level of diversity and intersectionality, and you want a front-row seat on the action of our business.

You’re great at writing thoughtful emails and championing new technologies that make our work more efficient. You aren’t intimidated by executive leaders, whether they are your direct supervisor or our many clients. You volunteer for new and interesting projects, and you’re okay rolling with ambiguity while asking stellar questions that create clarity for yourself and the team. For all these reasons, the Business Operations and Administrative Lead is a role that requires a big dose of empathy, organization, analysis and relationship-building skill.

This might not be the right job for you if you are someone who prefers to spend a long time learning before jumping right in. An ideal candidate will be a creative ‘doer’ who approaches every project with positivity, independence, and a growth mindset – and takes pride in an exceptional level of attention to detail.

As the Business Operations and Administrative Lead, this is what your role looks like: 

• Being an overall “fixer” for business issues and special projects (both big and small)
• Championing new processes, systems, policies and technologies
• Managing relationships with vendors, like attorneys, bookkeeper, CPA, office space vendor(s), HR vendors and other operations vendors 
• Supporting our growth strategy by collaborating on proposal writing, project management and negotiation
• Leading and overseeing staffing strategy and managing the hiring, onboarding and offboarding process for all employees
• Coordinating and preparing for internal and client facing events and meetings (scheduling, organizing, gathering materials, handling logistics, booking spaces and rooms, welcoming guests, contract staff oversight – in a virtual space, that means setting up the zoom meeting, developing meeting agendas, sending out reminders, meeting access needs)
• Building relationships with clients by supporting client delivery team
• Understanding our ideal client, and supporting our growth strategy, collaborating on proposal writing, project management and negotiation
• Engaging with members of the public during client events
• Supporting Executive leaders with scheduling and administrative tasks
• Supporting key firm growth and expansion initiatives
• Leading and preparing for internal team meetings and celebrations
• Website management support

This role is broken down as follows: 

• 50% Operational execution 
• 30% Executive support
• 20% New Business development support

The details:

• Equitable salary and benefits. We are committed to fair compensation, pay equity and salary transparency. This role is a full-time salaried position. 

Base salary

This role, at this level, is ranged from $60,000- $80,000 in yearly base salary. Bonus structure

Sales Bonus: You’ll get 5% of any sale you bring in the door

Annual Bonus: This role is subject to a 10% annual bonus depending upon firm profitability and annual revenue targets

Benefits

Imagine Deliver offers competitive benefits, such as gender-inclusive healthcare, dental and 401KTime away from work. We balance the demands of our growing company with unlimited sick time and paid time off.

We’re built for flexibility. We operate in a hybrid space, and we’ll provide you with the equipment and tools you need to thrive in a hybrid work environment. 

We have the best clients (and the most exciting projects). Our ideal customers are bold intersectional leaders ready to take risks and transform their fields of work. That means the logos are great, but our clients also become friends along the way.

We support your intentional growth. We’ll give you all the credit for every bit of work you do at Imagine Deliver. You’ll sometimes find that we don’t have all the answers, and we welcome you to suggest and create solutions. You can stack your resume in a short amount of time. We won’t limit you by your job description. We want to see you thrive here and everywhere you go. You’ll build your network and the company’s network while you’re with us.

We invest in your development. Imagine Deliver will invest in your growth with a professional development budget, which you can use on coaching, training, and learning opportunities aligned with your goals.

Requirements: 

• A lived commitment to equity and justice
• 6+ years experience as an administrative or operational team member in a startup environment, or 6+ years’ education and experience combined
• Experience and interest in supporting executive leaders with a high level of independence and rapid follow through
• Interest in consulting and client delivery

How to apply?

Send an email to taqee@imaginedeliver.com cc’ing hello@imaginedeliver.com as soon as possible, but definitely before December 9, 2022.

Follow these instructions:

• Your email should include ‘Business Operations and Administrative Lead’ in the subject line. 
• In the email, be sure to share at least four bullet points about why you’re perfect for this role. 
• Make sure one of those bullets describes your commitment to equity and justice. 
• Please include a link to your complete LinkedIn profile in the body of the email or a one page resume as a PDF attachment, but not both.
• Please make sure there are no typos in your email.

This role requires strong attention to detail, so please follow the above instructions exactly in order to be considered for the position. 

Interviews will take place on a rolling basis.

Start date: January 3, 2022

This team might be for you if: 

• You live values of equity, justice and belonging. You have a lived experience and/or a personal accountability that gives you the foundation to operate in a multi-cultural creative context with a highly intersectional team.
• You have a growth mindset. You have great ideas and aren’t afraid to share them. You have a love of learning and learn quickly. This, coupled with personal resilience, means you work hard until you achieve your goals. You don’t give up easily. You volunteer for new challenges without waiting to be asked. You are going to take ownership of the time you spend with us and truly make a difference.
• You are a doer. You pay attention to the details. As far as you’re concerned, anything worth doing is worth doing with excellence, and you take pride in both big and small successes – and celebrate tasks marked ‘done.’ 
• You have an entrepreneurial spirit. You are comfortable with uncertainty and seek to be a ‘builder.’ When change happens, you ‘roll with it,’ asking good questions to help your team gain clarity. You thrive in a fast-paced environment, and to keep pace, you proactively ask questions of yourself and your team, ensuring your own success and the success of the group. 

What success looks like in this role:

• • Autonomous time management. You ask about deadlines, timelines and you stick to them independently. Imagine Deliver hours are 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Monday-Friday CST. ‘On time’ for Imagine Deliver means within 5 minutes of estimated arrival for internal meetings and 10 minutes early for the client. You are available to work some evenings and weekends as those may be needed based on client engagement needs. 
  • Excellent listening with a habit of resourcefulness. First, you seek to understand. Your habit of curiosity helps ground your team. Empathic questions are part of your job. Before asking a technical question, you try to figure it out first. If Google or Youtube don’t have the answer, then you are not shy to ask for help. 
• You set the pace. You have urgency in how you complete tasks and do not wait for others. You know how to prioritize in order to contribute to what’s needed next. 

Diverse Teams Innovate 

A certified woman-owned business and a registered B-Corp, Imagine Deliver is actively dedicated to the local community, serving 80% local and independent clients, giving 20% of services away pro bono, and donating 10% of annual profits to nonprofit organizations led by Indigenous, Black and People of Color working in their communities to advance equity and justice. Imagine Deliver champions the talent of intersectional teams because we know (and the data shows) that diverse groups of people innovate when they work together with intention.

We live out that value in our own work by creating a professional environment that welcomes, celebrates and invests in people who bring different perspectives and plural identities to the work. It starts at the top. We’re a woman, Muslim and person of color-owned business, and for years our founders experienced work environments that weren’t designed for people with intersectional identities.

We’re changing that with our consulting firm by valuing potential candidates for their lived experiences as much as their college degree, by giving staff unlimited paid time off to take care of themselves and observe the holidays they celebrate, and by creating intentional space to unpack –  and unlock – our differences together. By leaning into our diverse team’s intersections, we unleash original thinking and design elegant solutions and strategies that give our clients a competitive edge.

Imagine Deliver is deeply committed to principles of equity, justice and belonging – and to providing our teams with an affirming work environment free of discrimination. All employment decisions at Imagine Deliver are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to age, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexuality, gender identity, size, ability, family structure, parental status, or any other identity. 

Position: Director of Development
Reports To: Executive Director
Salary: $80,000
Tentative Start Date: February 1, 2023

Who we are

Pollen is a media arts nonprofit that harnesses the power of narrative change to build towards a society that is free, just, and loving. We share stories that tip communities into action, and bring our expertise for design, narrative storytelling and engagement-centered events to other mission-driven organizations.

You are a Pollenite if…

You have an unwavering belief in equity, empathy, and our shared humanity. You seek to understand the thorniest of issues, particularly from a perspective that might not match your own. You embrace your civic responsibility, and contribute to your community through active leadership. You approach the challenges in your community with imagination and belief in a better path forward.

Working at Pollen

Our staff and board represent lots of different identities across race, gender, age, sexual orientation, and we deeply value the intersection of these identities in our team culture. We value lived-experience and commitment to racial equity in all of our work through:

• Connection: Connection to yourself, to each other, our community, and our mission.
• Kindness: We have cultivated an intentional culture of grace between our staff, vendors, freelancers, clients, board members and partners.
• Empathy: People, and each of our quirky, messy lives take precedence over work.
• Adaptability: We are a thriving organization that continues to grow and evolve.
• Openness: We are curious and love to learn from others and aren’t afraid to change our minds.
• Rest: We prioritize and promote taking time away to rest and to enjoy a life beyond work at Pollen. 

Why this position matters
The Development Director builds and nurtures strategic funder and individual donor relationships that sustain and grow the reach of our narrative impact. Ensuring Pollen’s financial sustainability, the Development Director sustains the pulse of the organization by conveying the impact of narrative change, connecting funders and donors to Pollen’s mission, and engaging with community supporters. This position oversees all philanthropic activities for the organization, including Pollen’s institutional fundraising and individual giving strategies, projected to generate $700,000 by 2024.

What you’re great at

Relationships: You get energy out of connecting with people one-on-one and you prioritize relationships first in your fundraising approach. For you, it’s more than just asking for money. It’s about showing people the power of narrative change in future building, and aligning that vision with funders’ and donors’ philanthropic goals. You know that relationships take time and aren’t built over email alone. You regularly check in with program officers, partners, and Pollenites to share updates and learn more about their priorities and passions. You love meeting new people and organizations, and you show up at community gatherings and networking events eager to connect with others.

Research & Solicitation: You are well versed in the philanthropic landscape of Minnesota and are knowledgeable about other regional and national funders, especially those that fund narrative change work and social justice movements. You prioritize grant opportunities that align with Pollen’s strategic vision. You take the time to understand the funding priorities and motivations of philanthropic institutions and donors alike, and use that information to craft persuasive appeals that you can deliver confidently, whether it be over the phone, in-person, or in writing. You can translate qualitative and quantitative data, as well as anecdotal evidence, into impact and outcomes that demonstrate Pollen’s theory of change. You know what data points are most compelling, and how and when to use this data to make the case for funding the work of narrative change. You’re knowledgeable about the field of narrative change and Pollen’s position in the ecosystem. You can articulate its impact and value, tailoring your messaging for different audiences. You’re not shy about asking for money, but instead see it as an opportunity to more deeply engage funders and donors in our work, and to help them see their role in building a more just, free, and loving future.

Campaigns: Your fundraising brain thinks in campaigns, and can see how all the moving pieces go together to reach annual fundraising goals. You start with research to build out your prospect lists, craft compelling messaging, geek out over audience segmentation, and love a good gift chart. You create and meet realistic timelines that factor in your team’s workload and capacity, donors’ propensity and preferred times for giving, grant application deadlines, and other major milestones. You’re comfortable leading, project managing, contributing , and collaborating all at the same time. You’re intentional about what messages go where, to whom, and when. At the end of a campaign, you enjoy digging into the data to see what worked, what we could do differently next time, and sharing that information with your team.

Trends + Experimentation: You keep tabs on fundraising trends and best practices, and incorporate what you learn into Pollen’s fundraising strategy. You also think critically about the nonprofit industrial complex and challenge inequitable giving practices that are rooted in white supremacy. You like to experiment with new tactics and aren’t afraid to test out new platforms or unconventional ideas.

What you’ll be doing

This role requires innovation, strategic vision, collaboration, and implementation prowess. You’ll directly report to Pollen’s Executive Director, and collaborate with the Director of Narrative Programs, Creative Director, Communications Manager, and Finance and Operations Manager on an array of fundraising activities. A typical day might involve researching funders, writing grant applications and reports, conducting donor check ins, participating in campaign ideation sessions, evaluating metrics, and meeting with prospective funders. The work you do will touch every aspect of Pollen’s programming, from editorial to design, and from finance to communications.

You’ll need to be a strong, persuasive communicator, who can develop a vision for your work, all while being open to input, feedback, and Pollen’s highly collaborative environment. You’ll build collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders and cultivate cross-departmental collaborations to lead and advance Pollen’s fundraising efforts.

Fundraising Strategy: Develop Pollen’s annual fundraising strategy and work plans for institutional giving, individual donors, and sponsorships that are in alignment with Pollen’s strategic plan and integrate our ongoing commitment to racial and social justice. You’ll be responsible for crafting effective messaging, case building, and language across all of Pollen’s development channels; supporting and engaging with Pollen staff and board on development strategies and campaigns; and keeping current on fundraising best practices, while also exploring and experimenting with new approaches to fundraising that center community. You’ll also work with the Executive Director and Finance and Operations Manager on financial projections, budgeting, and reporting. As a member of the core leadership team you’ll participate in Pollen’s Revenue Circle*, which provides development insight and support for the organization’s short- and long-term financial strategy. You’ll present campaign strategies and share fundraising reports at board meetings to ensure members remain engaged in Pollen’s fundraising strategy.

*Note: Other participants in the Revenue Circle include the Executive Director, Director of Narrative Programs, and the Finance and Operations Manager.

Institutional Giving: With an ambitious goal of growing Pollen’s institutional giving by 37% over the next three years, this strategic program will require the most of your innovative thinking, strong communications, and relationship building with local and national funders. You’ll steward current funder relationships while identifying new investment opportunities that build on our funding history. You’ll research prospective corporate and foundation prospects, develop and execute engagement strategies, maintain communications with funders, and collaborate with the Communications Manager and design team to raise Pollen’s profile among Minnesota and national foundations that invest in narrative change. You’ll collaborate with the Executive Director and Programs Director to align grant requests with program goals and Pollen’s long-term strategic vision; and write and submit grants and reports in collaboration with program staff.

Individual Giving: Lead the individual giving program, a significant revenue and engagement opportunity for Pollen, which generated $164,000 between 2019-2021 and is projected to grow by 52% over the next three years. Working in partnership with the Executive Director and Director of Narrative Programs, you’ll design and execute both annual fund and issue-specific campaigns that attract a broad base of individual support and major giving. These campaigns could include the following communications and engagement channels: email, social media, giving platforms, peer-to-peer fundraising, in-person events, virtual events, and print. Cultivation and stewardship of Pollen’s donors will be your number one priority. You’ll manage a portfolio of individual donors and support the Executive Director, board, and staff in the work of stewarding their own donor relationships. Through personal engagement, relationship building, and donor recognition, you’ll acquire new donors, retain current donors, and motivate annual fund and monthly contributors to increase their gifts. With an eye on growth, you’ll work with the Program Director to identify additional opportunities for donor engagement and cultivation across the organization and among individual staff members.

Sponsorship Development: Develop an annual sponsorship plan to support Pollen’s core mission work that generated $36,000 in 2021 and is projected to grow by 11% in 2022. You’ll build and maintain relationships with local businesses and corporations who underwrite Pollen’s mission, and create sponsorship materials and communications & engagement plans to attract new business and corporate sponsors. In recognition of Pollen’s sponsors, you’ll be responsible for delivering sponsorship benefits effectively and in a timely manner throughout the year.

Data Management: Design dashboards and utilize metrics to measure fundraising strategy and campaign effectiveness, making program refinements when necessary. You’ll manage Pollen’s donor database, including donor tracking, data maintenance and cleanup. You’ll keep tabs on relevant grant opportunities and deadlines by developing and maintaining an annual grants calendar for funder meetings, letters of inquiry, proposals, and reports. You’ll work closely with the Director of Narrative Programs to identify meaningful metrics that measure the impact of community building and narrative change to strengthen Pollen’s case for investment and strategic decision making.

Compensation & Benefits Details

Salary: $80,000 – Salary negotiations often lead to pay disparities within workplaces. Pollen is committed to offering fair, market-value, non-negotiable salaries commensurate with the role.

Health Care: 100% medical coverage by Pollen (BenefitsMN Medica Passport Plan), with options to upgrade and/or add partners or dependents

Generous PTO: Starts with 4 weeks a year (5 weeks after 3 years, 6 weeks after 5 years)

Sick Time: Unlimited

Paid Holidays: 11 paid holidays, 2 paid floating holidays

Paid Closures: 3 weeks of paid, organization-wide closes. Pollen closes the first two weeks of July every year and the last week of December

Summer Fridays: From Memorial Day—Labor Day we log off after 12pm on Fridays

Work Flexibility: Flexible working hours and you can work from home.

Remote Work: Pollen is currently working remote. We have a membership at The Coven that the team uses as desired. We gather semi-regularly for all team meetings, retreats, and group lunches.

Location: While we work remote, it is preferred that the person for this position lives near the Minneapolis / St. Paul metro due to the heavy relationship and networking nature of this position.

How to apply

By Monday, November 14, email work@pollenmidwest.org with: 

Cover Letter: 2-3 paragraphs in the email (not attached, but written in the body of the email) telling us why you’re interested in this position and why you want to be a part of the Pollen team. Give us a sense for the level of complexity, quantity, creativity, and impact of the past strategic campaigns or fundraising portfolios you’ve managed.

Resume: PDF attachment or link to your LinkedIn profile (either is fine). All fundraising experience across any sector or industry could be relevant. Maybe you’ve worked on a political or advocacy campaign as a fundraiser. Maybe you’ve worked at a learning institution as part of an alumni relations department. Or maybe you’re an entrepreneur who has been successful raising venture capital.

Subject Line: Director of Development_Your Name

A note about Pollen and this position: 

Pollen is currently in a growing and transformation process. You can read more about this intentional and exciting growth here. Currently, the responsibilities centered in this Director of Development position are nested within our Director of Engagement & Advancement role. Pollen’s ambitious revenue goals now require development to be a full-time role, separate from other engagement activities. It’s our hope that this new position will have time for intentional onboarding alongside Julie Cohen, Pollen’s Engagement & Advancement Director. While the Director of Development is a new full-time position, the activities and relationships are well established and will benefit from a more focused role.