Lead, Operations & Portfolio Management

Who We Are

International Justice Mission (IJM) is the global leader in protecting vulnerable people from violence around the world. Our team of over 1,200 professionals are at work worldwide in over 30 offices. Together we are on a mission to rescue millions, protect half a billion, and make justice unstoppable.

We are a global community that cares for one another. We believe that the way we work is as important as the results we achieve. We provide professional excellence with joy and celebration to all those we serve. 

The Need

For over 25 years, IJM has pioneered the work to protect vulnerable people from violence. 9 out of 9 times in the last decade, IJM’s Justice System Strengthening Projects have reduced slavery and violence between 50 and 85% for very large populations of people in poverty. As we grow to expand our impact to protect 500 million people from violence, we are seeking a Lead, Operations & Portfolio Management.

The Lead is a member of the Operations and Portfolio Management (OPM) team within the Global Programs division. Global Programs exists to assist IJM field teams around the world by providing a unified source for strategy, standards and policies, and products and services.

OPM provides a wide variety of services both ongoing (operations) and project based (project management). Therefore, the Lead role is dynamic by nature. As a member of this team, the Lead will be responsible for managing and ensuring the successful completion of all projects to which they are assigned within the division.

This position is based in the Washington, DC area and is available to be hybrid (onsite Tuesdays & Thursdays). It reports to the Director, Operations and Portfolio Management and is only available for candidates with the right to work in the US.

Key Result Areas:

The success of this role is measured by the following KRAs:

• Project Management: This position will develop project plans in line with IJM’s global project management standards and work closely with leadership in ensuring successful delivery for project owner.

• Project Execution: Along with project management, this position will participate in the execution of assigned projects through developing processes and standards, analyzing relevant information and writing content alongside division leaders and subject matter experts.

• Ongoing Operational Support: This position will lead various ongoing operations which may include reporting, communications, meetings, etc.

• Lead Designer for HCD Projects: This Lead must harness expertise in human-centered design and execute initiatives for Global Programs’ core customer groups and in partnership with the Regions.

Responsibilities:

Leadership and Management

• On projects, act as primary project manager: create a project timeline, maintain the project workflow, facilitate cross- functional team communication, produce tools to help key stakeholders engage in the project, track action items, design agendas, schedule meetings and craft attendee lists, translate shared documents as needed, maintain project files, ensure project deliverables are completed on time and to the satisfaction of the project holder.

• On design projects, drive initiatives from start to finish: clarifying customer groups, planning phases in line with resources available, interviewing customers and documenting their experiences, drafting materials, running synthesis sessions, co- lead customer groups alongside other leaders (customer strategy owners), craft communication, co-lead prototyping of products for the respective customer groups, test prototypes with customers, and project manage final delivery of products or businesses cases for build out.

Strategy & Knowledge Development & Implementation

• Develop and utilize project management skills and design thinking to enhance the Division’s contribution to IJM strategic initiatives through:

  • Staying current on project management, human centered design, and user experience best practices (to include pursuing training and certifications as needed).

  • Learning from and providing support for Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) through increased partnership in carrying out critical work for specific deliverables among a variety of fields (such as VAWC, Slavery, Activation, Implementing Partners, ILED, Aftercare, MERL, Corporate Engagement, etc.).

  • Ownership of project plans and providing updates to ensure successful implementation of strategic initiatives.

• Providing HCD execution to those in Global Programs seeking to apply design thinking principles to their product development through:

  • Application of core principles for understanding customer needs, conducting and training others in effective interviewing, and iterative product prototyping and roadmap planning.

Networking & Partnership

• Maintain IJM’s culture and reputation by creating and maintaining positive working relationships with internal and external parties when establishing and delivering on agreed upon objectives.

• Create and maintain positive working relationships with other project managers and across IJM globally.

• Craft compelling content for design projects to capture key findings from customers.

• Ensure external dashboards, training materials, and agreements are clearly and accurately composed with all necessary information included for parties’ mutual understanding.

• Develop clear and concise communication rhythms to inform stakeholders of project statuses.

• Craft reports, guides, templates, and presentations that effectively convey pertinent information in powerful and easily digestible formats.

Qualifications:

Education and Experience

• Minimum of four (4) years’ experience in project management or operations management, ideally with experience in resource allocation and assembling cross-cultural teams in hybrid environments.

• Proven ability to work with a diverse team of experts and specialists.

• Proven strategic thinker with experience in programming, project management and product development.

• 2-3 years’ experience in global, internal communications preferred.

Technical Competencies

• Superb written and communication skills.

• Excellent grasp of the English language.

• Strong ability to create or learn to create HCD visuals such as personas, customer journey maps, and user stories.

• Quickly learning new software applications, such as Mural, Miro, and Visio.

• Expertly using Microsoft Suite of tools, especially Outlook, Forms, PowerPoint, Excel, and Word.

• Expertly using Zoom, WhatsApp, Teams, and other global communication platforms.

• SmartSheet proficiency.

• SharePoint proficiency.

Non-Technical Competencies

• International experience preferred.

• Highly adaptive and able to reprioritize at a moment’s notice.

• Exceptional collaborator with a natural inclination towards proactivity.

• Personable and able to work with a variety of personalities in a fast-paced environment.

• Self-accountable and able to meet deadlines with little supervision.

• Culturally aware and sensitive.

• Sales and marketing mindset with strong networking ability.

Critical Qualities:

• Eager commitment to IJM's Core Values: Christian, Professional and Bridge-Building;

• Self-starter with strong initiative; 

• Disciplined with priorities;

• Strong interpersonal skills and self-awareness;

• Exceptional verbal and written communication;

• Flexible, collaborative and eager to support others;

• Effective team player who fosters collaborative environment; and

• Adept at creative problem solving.

Application Process:

Upload Resume, Cover Letter & Statement of Faith* in one PDF document.

*What is a statement of faith?
A statement of faith should describe your Christian faith and how you see it as relevant to your involvement with IJM. The statement can either be incorporated into the cover letter or submitted as a separate document and should include, at a minimum, a description of your spiritual disciplines (prayer, study, etc.) and your current fellowship or place of worship.

What does IJM have to offer?

• Comprehensive Medical/Dental/Vision benefits

• Monthly commuter and parking benefits in the DC metro area

• Retirement benefit options

• Paid leave starting at 23 days

• 12 holidays (plus early release the day prior)

• Daily, quarterly, and annual community spiritual formation

• Robust staff care resources

IJM holds strict safeguarding principles and a zero tolerance to violations of the Safeguarding Policy, Protection against Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment Policy, and Code of Ethics. Candidate selection is based on technical competence, recruitment, selection and hiring criteria subject to assessing the candidate’s value congruence and thorough background, police clearance, and reference check processes.

At IJM, we’re committed to building a diverse workforce through fair and equitable employment practices. IJM encourages people of any race, color, age, sex, marital status or political ideology to apply for employment. While we welcome everyone into this work, we truly believe that the work we are doing is God’s work, not our own, and practice spiritual disciplines together daily. That’s why we legally require under SEC. 2000e-1 [Section702] of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that all employees practice a mature orthodox Christian faith, as defined by the Apostles’ Creed.

IJM requires a background check, police clearance and thorough review of references with an employment offer and/or employment contract.

#LI-Hybrid