Operations Manager - Bogota, Colombia

We are searching for an experienced Operations Manager - Bogota, Colombia at our Colombia facility. 

Primary Duties and Responsibilities: 

Operations Manager – Bogota, Colombia

 
Company Overview
Palladium is a global leader in the design, development and delivery of Positive Impact - the intentional creation of enduring social and economic value. We work with foundations, investors, governments, corporations, communities and civil society to formulate strategies and implement solutions that generate lasting social, environmental and financial benefits.
For the past 50 years, we have been making Positive Impact possible. With a team of more than 3,000 employees operating in 90 plus countries and a global network of more than 35,000 technical experts, Palladium has improved - and is committed to continuing to improve - economies, societies and most importantly, people's lives.
Palladium is a child-safe organisation, and screens applicants for suitability to work with children. We also provide equal employment to all participants and employees without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, veteran or marital status.
We aim to be the world leader in the delivery of positive impact solutions.
For more information, please visit: www.thepalladiumgroup.com

Position Summary 
As the Operations Manager you will be responsible for the successful operational management of the office and operating oversight of Palladium’s programmes and Business Development required processes. You will have the opportunity to engage with team members in Colombia and across the world to support the fight against climate change and poverty.
This is a full time position and will be based in Bogota, Colombia.
The Operations Manager, Colombia will report to the Country Director but working closely with the Operations Manager - Latin America based in Brazil, HQs in London (PM/PA on UK PACT, P4F and other EMEA programs) and liaise as needed with Washington, and with teams across the region and the globe.

Key Responsibilities, Duties and Tasks
The Operations Manager is a mid-career role leading the operational delivery of Palladium’s Colombian entity, with responsibility for driving innovation in operational delivery, security, financial and admin management.

Operational Management
Main point of contact for Palladium’s Colombian external payroll, accounting and local legal representative, working closely with each provider and Palladium’s central HR/payroll, Finance, Security, Contracts and Compliance teams to ensure smooth operational delivery.
Main point of contact within Colombian office for all EMEA security management concerns, including participating in regular security briefings with Security Directors in the UK and USA.
Ensure all relevant Project Management manuals reflect the operating requirements of Colombia and programme teams adhere to them, including Colombian laws and SA8000.
Support in logistics requirements, including visa support, accommodation booking, security and travel requirements for international and national EMEA Palladium staff (local, regional and global).
Ensure project issues and risks are logged, monitored, and updated in the issues and risk register and escalate risks and issues to corporate/project leadership, as required.
Review and ensure quality of procurement, ensuring compliance with company SOPs and client due diligence processes.
Ensure Business development operational processes are fulfilled specially about recruiting, payments and work/relationships with third parties.
Joint operations calls to coordinate alignment and issues between UKEA and ARBP.

 
Office Management
Ensure the successful running of the Bogota EMEA office, including ensuring the office has the necessary supplies required to operate.
Lead in the procurement of new office as we grow our presence in Colombia, including working with various Project Managers and the Colombia Country Director to ensure the office space meets a variety of requirements.
Coordinate the processing of service provider work orders and invoice related to the Colombia office.
As the ICT Lead for the Colombia office, troubleshoot issues with the support of Palladium’s third-party ICT provider.

Human Resources
Maintain and enhance employee benefits programs, including compensation, health insurance, expense reimbursement, and vacations.
Assist with recruitment efforts and prepare employees for their assignments by establishing and conducting orientation and training programs (train staff on company policies, SOPs and Guidelines and client rules and regulations, covering for example: security, occupational health and safety, risk management, planning, human resource management, monitoring, reporting, finance, procurement, logistics, IT, communications, audit support and all other such implementation matters).
Ensure compliance with national and local HR regulations by conducting investigations and maintaining records
Main point of contact for Palladium’s payroll service provider for EMEA employees.
Close coordination is required with the USAID Sustainable Agriculture program also operated by Palladium.

 
Finance Administration
Ensure financial records are accurately maintained.
Process accounts payable invoices and payment approval.
Prepare accounts receivable invoices.
Ensure all finances are managed in alignment with the government regulations, company and client’s financial policies and procedures. Company in Colombia implements UK and US programs and BD, close alignment is needed with all operations, despite the person focusing on UK funded programs.
Support the projects to prepare, review budgets, monthly financial reports and expenditure forecasts.
Ensure applicable tax withholding and deductions are taken care of as per the Colombia laws and regulations on all payments.
Work closely with the accounting service provider to ensure accurate financial report.
When applicable, assist with an internal or external audit activity.
Assure all taxes and related activities, are submitted properly and in time, aligned with our third-party support.


Business Development
In specific situations, support in business development across donor clients (E.g., UKAID, USAID) and private sector clients to grow our footprint within Colombia. This could include leading on commercial strategy and preparation, value for money sectors and/or recruitment.
Help comply with the HR, office and admin requirements of current and potential clients.

 
Other duties
Fulfil any other duties reasonably requested by the Country Director, Operations Latin America and Central team (UK/USA).

Degree in economics, finance, business planning, project management or related sectors;
Experience in project management, operations, human resource and financial management
Experience in Colombia on government funded programs, ideally from international cooperation.
Experience in a consultancy firm, government department, research organization, communications firm or relevant advocacy NGO.
Proven problem identification and resolution experience with budgeting, forecasting, banking, tax authorities, foreign currency transactions, HR, and other related issues
An emphatic manager and mentor of people, able to support team members to develop professionally and achieve their potential.
Proven ability to work across multiple projects at a time, including the ability to prioritize requests and identify areas to improve efficiency.
Commercial acumen and experience of contributing to successful client proposals.
Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with a range of different individuals and organizations across countries and time zones
Professional fluency in Spanish and English, including a high standard of writing, editing and proofreading.
Knowledge of local labour, banking, HR, and tax laws
High level of computer literacy and strong experience with Microsoft Office products.
Must be legally authorized to work in Colombia.
Excellent user of Microsoft package, especially PP, Excel and Word.

The person is expected to start in January 2025 and to attend at least 2 times per week the office in Bogota.

Month

0.00 - 0.00

Our company provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.