General Manager

General Manager (GM)

The General Manager is responsible for running the organization to achieve the objectives set by the board of directors. The GM operates within the boundaries set by the board. The GM reports to the board of directors. Key duties include executing on the organization’s strategic plan, maintaining a well run makerspace within budget, hiring and coaching employees, recruiting and retaining members.

[non profit lingo: Executive Director: The Executive Director is responsible for the successful leadership and management of the organization according to the strategic direction set by the Board of Directors. The executive director is a leadership role for an organization and often fulfills a motivational role in addition to office-based work. Executive directors motivate and mentor members, volunteers, and staff, and may chair meetings. The executive director leads the organization and develops its organizational culture.]

General Responsibilities

• Governance: Works with the board in order to fulfill the mission of the organization
• Lead Maker Nexus in a manner that supports the organization’s mission as defined by the board of directors.
• Communicate effectively with the board and provide, in a timely and accurate manner, all information necessary for the board to function properly and to make informed decisions including reports, trend analysis, growth opportunities, and community progress.
• Financial Performance: Develops resources sufficient to ensure the financial health of the organization
• Responsible for the fiscal integrity of Maker Nexus. Includes submitting yearly budget and managing to it on a monthly basis, and preparing monthly financial statements which accurately reflect the financial condition of the organization.
• Responsible to operate within budget, adjusting immediately to any financial shortfall that jeopardizes the viability of the organization.
• Responsible for maintaining a cash balance that is sufficient to meet all of the organization’s legal obligations to its employees, including payout of vacation and benefits if any.
• Programs: Works with board and staff to ensure that programs support the mission.
• Responsible for the design, proposal, and implementation of programs that fulfill the mission.
• Responsible for enhancing Maker Nexus’ image by being active and visible in the community and working closely with other professional, civic, and private organizations.
• Operations: Oversees and implements the day to day operation of the makerspace.
• Responsible for effective administration of Maker Nexus.
• Responsible for hiring, retaining, and growing competent, qualified staff.
• Responsible for seeing that all policies of Maker Nexus are implemented.
• Responsible for attracting and retaining shop members and ensuring they are satisfied with their membership experience.
• Community: Builds and maintains a cooperative community spirit among members
• Primary organizational contact for all member issues.
• Resolves issues within the member base and makerspace in a respectful, open, and honest manner.
• Safety: Oversees and implements a safety plan that ensures a safe workplace for employees and members.
• Responsible for ensuring compliance by employees and members and guests with all workplace safety regulations.
• Implements best practices for running a safe makerspace.
• Exhibits 0 tolerance for unsafe practices of any kind.

Qualifications

• Transparent and high integrity leadership
• Three or more years experience running a workshop and building and leading a team.
• Proven skills in budgeting, managing to a budget, ongoing analysis, decision making, and reporting.
• Strong organizational skills including planning, delegating, hiring, managing both employees and volunteers.
• Ability to communicate a vision of the organization to many different groups.
• Ability to collaborate with board members and other volunteers.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.

Job Responsibilities

• Planning and operation of annual budget
• Establish employment and administrative policies and procedures for the day to day operations.
• Recruit, hire, coach, supervise, and retain staff to fill positions approved by the board.
• Actively engage the board in the development of policies to guide the organization.
• Implement marketing and other communication efforts, including monthly newsletter and members’ town hall.
• Propose and review all contracts for services.
• Maintain a safe environment in compliance with all relevant laws.
• Maintain a CRM system with current contact information for members, donors, community contacts, and prospective members.
• Other duties as assigned by the board.