Creative Associates

Overview

Background:

Creative Associates International is a dynamic, global development company that specializes in education, economic growth, democratic institutions, and stabilization. Based in Chevy Chase, MD (metro Washington, D.C. area), Creative has programs in more than 30 countries with a strong client portfolio that includes the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department, among others. Founded in 1977, Creative is a minority-owned, mission-driven organization that has earned a solid reputation among its clients and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike.

We value diversity — in backgrounds and in experiences. We are deliberate and self-reflective about the kind of team and culture that we are building, seeking staff that are not only strong in their own aptitudes but care deeply about supporting each other's growth. Our success depends on all our employees' points of view, and the principle that inclusion is everyone's responsibility.

Position Summary:

The Vice President assumes a key strategic role at Creative, responsible for leading the Division effectively, providing a clear vision and a strong sense of purpose and organizational direction. The position works closely with Creative’s executive and senior management teams to plan the strategic course of the division by identifying new business opportunities and program initiatives aligned with corporate goals and values. The successful candidate must come with expertise and experience in designing, implementing, and managing international development programs in the education sector, be well-versed with USAID and other USG and international development agencies, and have field experience working in countries akin to those in Creative’s portfolio.

The successful candidate brings a dynamic blend of passion and deep expertise, specific to the education sector, in technical solutions, program management, new business development, client relationship management and exceptional staff mentorship and management. S/he thrives on leading their teams into new technical areas and geographies, growing the division and the company. S/he must have a track record of growth and management of large, dispersed teams and programs operating in challenging environments. The Vice President, leading by example, must demonstrate unwavering commitment to our core values and uphold corporate standards as well as advance organizational change working with all units to identify and implement new/improved business processes that will drive Creative forward.

Expected Outcomes:

• Advance the field of education through thought leadership, innovation, superior technical excellence;
• A sound new business development agenda is planned and executed; a successful proposal win rate is achieved that meets Creative’s fiscal targets.
• Deliver on financial targets including division contribution margin, net margin and a low rate of unbillable expenses.
• High rates of productive utilization within the Division are maintained; sound project management and control for all the Division’s projects is executed and aligned with the firm’s management and operational models.
• Excellent client satisfaction and relationship is maintained with high CPAR or other client scores achieved across all programs.
• Maintains a stable divisional team with low turnover among staff and high job satisfaction.
• Broad organizational objectives are achieved, some of which extend beyond the division’s traditional domain.

Reporting & Supervision:

The Vice President reports to the Chief Programs Officer and supervises the Division’s Directors. The division is currently divided into a Program Management Unit and a Technical Unit.

Responsibilities

Primary Responsibilities:

• Demonstrates Creative Associates’ values and practices by utilizing effective management and leadership principles while pursuing our mission to improve educational access and quality around the world.
• Serves as a thought leader and key spokesperson in international development, internally and externally; leads efforts to capture and disseminate innovations, best practices and lessons learned, and creates opportunities and incentives to share knowledge across the company.
• Provides strategic and operational leadership for ongoing program activities and developing new business in focused technical areas.
• Achieves financial performance targets including annual revenue, contribution margin, and annual win target while keeping unbillable expenses low.
• Recruits staff as appropriate to develop needed skills sets and capabilities.
• Motivates staff performance and professional development, develops skilled managers and mentors, and exercises sound judgment in recommending hires, promotions, and termination of staff.
• Actively advances Creative Associates’ leadership position in international development; models and advocates strong leadership principles in the home-office and overseas, promotes continued learning and knowledge sharing and proactively engages in effective problem-solving on behalf of departments, clients and beneficiaries; and
• Establishes a workplace environment that fosters teamwork and promotes collaboration across the Company, acknowledges and rewards staff contributions, and develops strategies to enhance synergies.
• Fosters a culture of collaboration with other divisions to build on shared strengths and develop new multisectoral projects in the international development context.
• Demonstrates a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion within the division and across the organization.

Qualifications

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Master’s degree or equivalent combination of education and work experience in relevant technical competency areas.
• Recognized by others as an expert in the education for development sector, with a grounded understanding with USG, and USAID more specifically, education priorities under development assistance.
• Experience in designing operationally viable programmatic strategies in both fragile and stable international contexts, to address issues of educational access, safety, equity, classroom instruction, and nascent education delivery systems.
• Demonstrated track record in understanding international development market trends and opportunities, and positioning for and winning new business
• Minimum 15 years project and staff management experience within the field of international development and operations in the education sector; preferably at one of the implementing partners, with at least 3 years responsibility for a division, region or sector.
• Experience working with USAID funded programs, with a strong understanding for USG compliance rules and regulations.
• Thorough knowledge of company’s main clients and their expectations and operations.
• Demonstrated understanding and fluency in financial management at practice and division level and financial and accounting systems and procedures.
• Demonstrated ability to solve extensive complex, multi-faceted managerial and operational issues which require extensive knowledge, tact and diplomacy, and sound judgment.
• Proven ability to provide leadership and vision, and motivate teams to produce quality results, expand new business efforts and contribute to the successful operation, management and industry reputation of the company.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and supervise staff and provide oversight of multiple project teams and new business efforts.
• Ability to conceptualize, outline, perform, and direct research and writing of technical documents (reports, proposals, professional articles) following Creative Associates’ style and best practices.
• Prior service in a senior management position (COP, DCOP team leader, director) on an international development assistance program, in the field is preferred.
• Ability to travel overseas, including less developed and unstable regions.

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EEOC Statement: Creative is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, age, or other legally protected characteristics. Military veterans, Ameri-Corps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni are encouraged to apply.

Accessibility Notice: If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process due to a physical or mental disability, please send an email to Ireneb@creativedc.com. Please view Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Posters provided by OFCCP here. 

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision: Creative will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation. #LI-IB

Only finalists will be contacted. No phone calls, please.