Cooperative Development Manager

About Miami Workers Center

Miami Workers Center builds power with working-class people in Miami-Dade County. Through leadership development and grassroots campaigns, we seek to transform our workplaces and neighborhoods to win the respect, rights, and resources we all deserve. Our members are working-class Black and Brown women from Latin America, the Caribbean, and the African-American communities of Miami-Dade. Our members are predominantly tenants, and many work in the cleaning and caring economies as domestic, child & homecare workers both formally and informally. We believe in self-determination over our bodies, homes, labor, and land.

Job Summary

The Miami Workers Center is seeking a full-time Cooperative Development Manager to support the successful operation of a worker-led cooperative and lead the launch of the Domestic Worker Institute. The Cooperative Development Manager provides administrative, operational, financial, and organizational support to strengthen the cooperative in the best interests of its members and to support its members in successfully delivering services. Working in partnership with cooperative members, the Manager is accountable to the cooperative’s governance and decision-making structures while coordinating closely with the Miami Workers Center.

The Cooperative Development Manager will translate the cooperative’s members' decisions into effective systems, processes, and day-to-day operations; support high-quality financial reporting in partnership with the Treasurer; make recommendations on policy and processes; and problem-solve under pressure. The Manager will carry out the cooperative’s business in accordance with the direction established by the Board and the Executive Director of the Miami Workers Center and may represent the cooperative in matters related to its operations.

The Cooperative Development Manager does not have the authority to hire or fire cooperative members. Rather, the Manager’s primary responsibility is to strengthen the cooperative’s capacity to lead and manage its own work by providing the infrastructure, coordination, and administrative support needed to move member-led priorities forward.

In addition, the Manager will lead the design, launch, and management of the Domestic Worker Institute, serving as the primary liaison between the Miami Workers Center and domestic worker members and helping build the systems and infrastructure needed to support this programming and other related programming for the domestic workers cooperative.

Our cooperatives abide by the Seven (7) Cooperative principles:

1. Voluntary and open membership

2. Democratic member control

3. Member economic participation

4. Autonomy and independence

5. Education, training, and information

6. Cooperation among cooperatives

7. Concern for Community

Approximate % of time/ frequency

Key Responsibilities

40%

Administrative & Day-to-Day Operations

• Support the day-to-day operations of the cooperative(s) under the direction of the cooperative’s Board and members.
• Develop, maintain, and improve key operational systems, including client management, service delivery, and customer feedback.
• Manage budgets and track financial performance in collaboration with the Treasurer.
• Support member recruitment, onboarding, and member development in accordance with cooperative policies and decisions.
• Coordinate administrative processes related to member concerns, workers’ compensation, unemployment, and other employment-related matters.
• Negotiate and manage contracts and vendor relationships as authorized by the cooperative.
• Build and maintain relationships and agreements with third-party payers and the broader business community, ensuring compliance with applicable requirements.
• Maintain required licenses, registrations, and records and support the cooperative in meeting legal and regulatory requirements.

25%

Leadership & Member Development and Engagement

• Coach and support cooperative members in growing and managing their businesses
• Support the cooperative Board and members in long-term strategic planning and continuous improvement.
• Build strong relationships with cooperative members through regular one-on-one meetings, feedback, communication, and updates.
• Serve as a bridge between the cooperative and the Miami Workers Center, ensuring strong communication, coordination, and alignment while maintaining the cooperative’s leadership and decision-making authority.
• Work with cooperative members and Miami Workers Center organizers to support outreach and recruitment of new worker-owners through meetings, calls, email, social media, Zoom, and other strategies identified by the cooperative.
• Serve as the primary administrative liaison to the Board of Directors by reporting on progress, providing recommendations, and preparing an annual budget for Board consideration and approval.
• Support the Board in facilitating regular member meetings and communicating cooperative goals, decisions, and results.

25%

Domestic Worker Cooperative Programming

• Lead the development and implementation of the Domestic Worker Institute, a program designed to train, certify, and support home health aides, cleaners, and childcare workers as cooperative members and leaders.
• Support member-led cultural programming that strengthens relationships, community, and cohesion among cooperative members, including International Domestic Workers Day, Care Workers Recognition Month, Haitian Heritage Month, and Hispanic Heritage Month.
• Promote awareness of worker cooperatives and the cooperative model through community education, outreach, and training

10%

• Work with staff to support joint projects for the organization.
• Review key readings and study foundational concepts of the organization.
• Attend and participate in monthly staff meetings and bi-annual staff retreats.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Additional duties as assigned

Required Skills & Abilities

• Strong leadership, supervision, and administrative skills demonstrated in positions of increasing responsibility in business, preferably with domestic workers
• Ability to handle multiple complex problems simultaneously and make decisions under pressure
• Detail-oriented and proactive
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to navigate interpersonal challenges
• Knowledge of business and financial management
• Fluency in either Spanish or Haitian Creole

Required Qualities & Occupational Mindsets:

• Setting Direction – Demonstrates a clear understanding of how each business operates and how each role fits within the company. Provides clear direction for the team to meet company objectives. Responds quickly to changing business conditions and can adapt when necessary.
• Team Building - Inspires and fosters team commitment, spirit, pride and trust; facilitates cooperation and motivates team members to accomplish group goals.
• Strategic Thinking – Formulates objectives and priorities, and implements plans consistent with the long-term business interests of the organization; capitalizes on opportunities and manages risks.
• Developing Others – Seeks opportunities to learn and develop themselves and others; teaches new skills and knowledge needed to add value to the organization's performance; sets developmental goals for self and others; seeks performance feedback.
• Leadership – Leads by example. Consistently demonstrates positive attributes that promote teamwork and cooperation to ensure maximum results from the team. Works with team members to develop new and better skills during every shift. Develop and maintain development plans for their current and future jobs as well as a development plan to ensure their team members' constant development.
• Interest and Passion for the Cooperative Model - Running a cooperative business comes with additional responsibilities and challenges. At a minimum, a successful cooperative administrator must have a basic understanding and passion for the "cooperative difference." This includes a willingness to learn new ways of working, empower workers, and understand when and how to step up or step back.

Key Stakeholder Relationships

• The Manager must develop good working relationships with the following stakeholders:
• The Board of Directors
• The Members of the Cooperatives
• Miami Workers Center Staff
• Consultants or contractors
• The Media
• Relevant support organizations
• Relevant government departments
• Suppliers
• Key markets

Education, Experience, and Certifications:

• Undergraduate Degree in a relevant discipline or 6 Years in relevant work experience

Physical Requirements:

• While performing duties, employees are regularly required to transport audio equipment or misc meeting materials.
• Sit and stand for extended periods.

Travel or Location Requirements

• Must have reliable transportation to travel across Miami-Dade County for meetings and attend weekly staff meetings and membership meetings in person.

Salary commensurate with experience. Generous benefits package includes health insurance and vacation time for full-time employees.

Miami Workers Center is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without discrimination because of sex, marital status, race, age, creed, national origin or the presence of disabilities. False or misleading statements during an interview and/or on the application form are grounds for terminating the application process or, if discovered after employment, terminating employment. A felony conviction will not necessarily bar an applicant from employment.

Pay: $70,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person