Integrator (COO)

Craving a career path that promotes personal growth, professional development, and delicious opportunity? The Grand Rapids Downtown Market is a vibrant workplace that strives to be a little different than your usual office environment. Our day-to-day revolves around the perfect balance of food, fun, and foundational support. 

Join a fun loving team of people that go the extra mile, thrive on collaboration, and are excited about the amazing food community that is present in the heart of Grand Rapids. We are proud to be a part of this community through our innovative 18-merchant Market Hall, world-class corporate and wedding venue spaces, year round free public events, and the entrepreneurial support of our rentable Incubator Kitchen that helps small food businesses turn their passion into a profession.

We offer a robust benefits package including a variety of various types of insurances including medical, dental, vision, along with life, long term and short term disability. We also provide a generous PTO and Holiday schedule that helps you achieve the crucial work/life balance employees need. Our 401k retirement savings plan includes a company match and professional guidance to help you prepare for your future and find your own recipe for success.

We are in search of an experienced Integrator (COO) to join our amazing team. You will hold a a pivotal leadership role responsible for ensuring the effective execution of operational strategies to achieve the goals and objectives of the Grand Rapids Downtown Market. Reporting directly to the Visionary (CEO), the Integrator oversees and supports the heads of the following departments: facilities, people operations (HR), events, finance, entrepreneurial operations and marketing. This role ensures that each department head effectively manages their department, facilitates growth, and aligns with the organization’s vision. The duties and responsibilities of the position will consist of, but are not limited to, the following:

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Support and guide department directors in managing their teams and daily operations
• Assist with recruiting and hiring senior team members and conduct performance evaluations for department directors
• Coordinate training programs for department heads and identify professional development needs

Organizational Leadership

• Drive the implementation of the Visionary's strategic vision for the company, ensuring overall growth 
• Prioritize and determine key initiatives for execution
• Facilitate EOS L10 meetings, holding the leadership team accountable while providing guidance and support
• Develop scorecard metrics and intervene when metrics deviate from targets with targeted mentorship
• Hold final responsibility for finance and marketing decisions related to growth initiatives
• Active role on the leadership team contributing to the organization's overall vision, mission, values, beliefs, and strategic goals
• Participate in executive team decisions and critical conversations
• Attend and actively participate in leadership meetings offering ideas, insights, and recommendations on organizational policies, operations, staffing, customer and tenant experiences, strategic community partnerships, and other topics impacting the organization's quality
• Act as a participant in Board of Director meetings and serve as staff liaison for various Board Advisory Committees

Operational Oversight

• Oversee the preparation of budgets and monitor expenditures within departments of responsibility
• Develop organizational improvements to streamline internal systems and procedures, contributing to future growth initiatives
• Achieve the organization's overall strategic goals, working to contribute to the profitability of the organization and ensuring alignment of high-level organizational priorities with strong day-to-day operations
• Evaluate the success of assigned departments through measurable goals, KPIs, and reporting

Departmental Oversight

• Oversee the work of department directors to ensure alignment with the organization’s strategic goals and operational efficiency
• Monitor the performance of departments through measurable goals, KPIs, and reporting.
• Develop organizational improvements to streamline internal systems and procedures, contributing to future growth initiatives
• Provide support and resources to department heads to facilitate their success and growth

Community Outreach

• Represent the organization to the community through active participation in community organizations
• Serve on appropriate community committees and oversee related departmental strategic partnerships

Required  Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

Education: A bachelor's degree in business administration, management, or a related field is required

Experience: Minimum 10 years experience as a director of operations, or similar roles where the candidate has demonstrated their ability to drive efficiency and effectiveness

Strategic mindset: Strong strategic mindset and be able to align operational strategies with overall business goals and objectives

Project management skills: Proven success managing multiple projects simultaneously and within budget. Strong project management skills are essential.

Financial acumen: Strong understanding of financial concepts and the ability to analyze financial data is important in order to make informed decisions about resource allocation and cost-saving initiatives

Leadership abilities: Responsible for leading teams within the organization. The ability to motivate employees, provide clear direction, delegate tasks effectively, and resolve conflicts when necessary

Communication skills: Excellent communication skills to effectively communicate with various stakeholders including executives, employees at all levels of the organization, clients/customers/vendors/suppliers etc

Problem-solving abilities: Ability to identify problems that arise during daily operations, evaluate alternative solutions, implement appropriate course of action. 

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

Education: Master's degree or MBA 

Experience: Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) experience. Venue management experience

Computer Skills: Google WorkSpace, Mac OS proficiency