Part-Time Operations Manager

Part-Time Operations Manager

About RISE Music and Dance

RISE Music and Dance is a growing children's performing arts organization in Houston offering dance classes, private music lessons, theatre programs, productions, camps, and special events.

We are looking for a highly organized, proactive Part-Time Operations Manager who can help turn plans into action, strengthen our systems, and take ownership of recurring operational responsibilities across the organization.

This is not simply an administrative assistant position. We are looking for someone who enjoys making things run well: organizing projects, keeping track of details and deadlines, improving processes, coordinating people, and making sure responsibilities are carried through to completion.

The position will begin at approximately 15 hours per week, with the potential for additional hours over time based on organizational needs, performance, and mutual interest.

What You'll Do

Initially, the Operations Manager will take over a number of recurring operational responsibilities currently handled by the owner. As you become familiar with RISE, the role will grow toward greater ownership of projects, events, systems, and processes across our Dance, Theatre, Music, and camp programs.

Responsibilities may include:

• Coordinate recurring operational responsibilities across RISE's programs.
• Manage project timelines, deadlines, open items, and follow-up to make sure responsibilities don't fall through the cracks.
• Coordinate the operational side of events and programs such as performances, recitals, camps, photo weeks, observation weeks, evaluations, auditions, and other special events.
• Coordinate among instructors, program directors, administrative staff, vendors, families, and the owner as needed to keep projects moving.
• Maintain and improve calendars, checklists, spreadsheets, forms, templates, and other internal systems.
• Handle routine staff and family communications related to operational matters.
• Coordinate registrations, schedules, supplies, purchasing, staffing logistics, and other program needs.
• Communicate with vendors, track orders and deliveries, and follow through on outstanding items.
• Document recurring processes and create clear standard operating procedures so important responsibilities are not dependent on one person's memory.
• Learn existing RISE processes and execute them reliably while identifying gaps, unnecessary steps, or opportunities for improvement.
• Help test and implement improved processes and systems.
• Help turn new program or event ideas into practical operational plans and assist with implementation.
• Identify potential problems, missing information, or approaching deadlines before they become urgent.
• Take increasing ownership of operational responsibilities as familiarity with RISE grows.

The exact mix of responsibilities will evolve as we learn the successful candidate's strengths and as the role develops.

What We're Looking For

The ideal candidate is someone who is exceptionally organized, dependable, and naturally inclined to bring order to complicated situations.

You may be a particularly good fit if you:

• Are highly organized and detail-oriented.
• Have strong project-management and follow-through skills.
• Naturally think about systems, processes, efficiency, and ways to make recurring work easier.
• Can take a complicated project and break it into manageable steps.
• Are comfortable managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Notice missing information, approaching deadlines, and potential problems without always needing someone else to point them out.
• Communicate clearly and professionally in writing and in person.
• Are comfortable working independently and making reasonable decisions within established parameters.
• Know when to move something forward independently and when a decision needs to be escalated.
• Are comfortable learning and using technology, spreadsheets, forms, scheduling systems, and other online tools.
• Ask good questions when something is unclear rather than making assumptions.
• Can learn and follow an established process without feeling the need to immediately reinvent it, while still recognizing and suggesting a better approach when one becomes apparent.
• Enjoy both planning and hands-on execution.
• Are comfortable working in a small organization where responsibilities sometimes cross traditional departmental boundaries.
• Take genuine satisfaction in making sure something is completely handled rather than simply completing an assigned task.

We are particularly interested in candidates who can gradually become someone RISE can trust to take an operational responsibility from “this needs to happen” to “this is handled.”

Qualifications

• Previous experience in operations, project management, program coordination, event coordination, office management, business administration, or another role involving significant organizational responsibility is preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities.
• Comfort with common workplace technology and the ability to learn new systems quickly.
• Experience in a small business, nonprofit, school, children's program, performing arts organization, or other multi-program environment is helpful but not required.
• Performing arts experience is not required.

We are more interested in finding someone with excellent organizational judgment, initiative, follow-through, and problem-solving ability than someone with a particular industry background.

Schedule

This position will begin at approximately 15 hours per week.

Some responsibilities will require regular onsite availability at our Houston studio, while certain administrative responsibilities may be completed remotely. Weekday availability is important, and occasional availability for major performances, events, or special programs may be needed.

There is potential for the position to grow in hours and responsibility over time based on organizational needs, job performance, and mutual interest.

Compensation

$28-$35 per hour, depending on experience and qualifications.

To Apply

Please submit your resume and answer the following questions:

• What number of hours per week would ideally fit your schedule right now? If the position grew over time, what is the maximum number of hours per week you would potentially be interested in working?
• Tell us about something you managed that initially had an unclear, disorganized, or inefficient process. What was the situation, what did you do, and what was the result?
• Tell us about a responsibility or project you owned from beginning to end with relatively little supervision. How did you organize the work and make sure nothing fell through the cracks?

Pay: $28.00 - $35.00 per hour

Expected hours: 15.0 – 20.0 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching

Work Location: In person