Product Category Director, Consulting Programs

The Taproot Foundation is revolutionizing the way that marketing and human resources consulting services are delivered to nonprofit organizations. We have cut the cost to deliver professional services 90% by investing in robust support systems including information technology and knowledge management systems, standardizing projects, using pro bono business professionals and developing a wholesale funding model. Our work and model have won several awards. We currently have more than 650 consultants, serving more than 250 nonprofit clients annually from offices in New York City, Chicago and San Francisco. We are growing more than 35% per year and expanding into additional cities regularly. Our partners and funders include more than 30 foundations and corporations such as Wells Fargo, Time Warner and Lehman Brothers.





As the Category Director of our Consulting Programs you will define and launch new consulting services and create the infrastructure to enable them to be successfully implemented nationally. You will lead the development process: you will conduct market research, prioritize product development initiatives, build and test new products, craft marketing materials and train local staff nationally. Your work will touch on processes in a variety of functional areas, including project management, requirements management, change management, quality assurance, risk management, test planning and communications plans. You will directly manage a staff of between one and four employees, and interact closely with the entire senior management team.





Core Responsibilities


- Develop and Launch New Consulting Products


o Define and prioritize market needs


o Analyze best practices in various consulting/professional services domains


o Define features


o Develop products (standardized services): consulting engagement scope, timeline with key milestones, team composition, templates of key deliverables in Word and PowerPoint, changes to Taproot Foundation Intranet


o Conduct usability and pilot tests


o Launch with national roll out and training


- Continuous Improvement of Existing Consulting Products


o Gather user feedback; analyze quantitative data on impact, satisfaction


o Refine next generation for roll out; launch


- Support national network of offices where products/services are delivered


o Training on new products


o Continuous improvement


o Evaluation to ensure quality delivery





Experience and Competencies


Required


- Product Development


o Minimum of 2-4 years in product development/management role. Proven ability through the entire development cycle: segment markets, understand target segments' needs, define features, develop products, test, rollout and ongoing refinement.


- Consulting/Professional Services


o Minimum of 3-5 years providing professional/consulting in the areas of advertising, marketing, website development, IT or human resources


o Experience developing proposals and project plans is a plus


- Project Management


o Minimum of 2-4 years directly managing teams


o Managing, coaching or teaching project managers is preferred


- Demonstrated interest in the nonprofit sector as evidenced by Board service, strong volunteer history or nonprofit jobs


- Base Skills


o Excellent written and oral communication skills


o Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team or independently


o Ability to consistently meet deadlines and deliver high-quality materials


o Must be highly committed to the Taproot Foundation's mission and model


o Bachelor's degree or equivalent required; advanced degree is preferred


The following experiences may be additionally beneficial:


- Involvement in design, development and growth of a franchise system


- Development and rollout of new services within a national operation where services are delivered through local offices or franchises


- Work as a Senior Technical Writer on business process documentation





Location


Taproot Foundation's San Francisco office off Union Square. Occasional travel to regional offices in NYC, Chicago, Boston and Seattle is likely.





Compensation


- $75,000. Competitive medical and generous vacation package.





Application Process


To apply, please send your resume and a cover letter explaining your interest and fit for the position to jobs@taprootfoundation.org, with "Product Category Director" as the subject of your e-mail. No phone calls please.