Tayseer Seminary is a unique educational institution in the landscape of American Islam. Combining the spiritual depth and intellectual rigor of the Islamic tradition with a critical ethos that insists on contemporary relevance, Tayseer aims to educate a new generation of Muslim leaders who will lead our communities into the future.
Tayseer has successfully established itself as a transformational institution, but has reached a critical operational inflection point. Core faculty and board members are looking for someone to relieve the burden of day-to-day supervisory, administrative, logistical, and financial tasks so that they can focus on critical thought leadership, research, and executing the strategic vision for the seminary. Tayseer has enlisted the support of Forerunners to facilitate Purposeful Placement of the Operations Director.
Role Overview
The Operations Director is a highly competent "executive servant" dedicated to partnering with the faculty and leadership to build a supportive, professional infrastructure that preserves Tayseer's unique spirit while ensuring operational excellence. This leader will take full ownership of the organization's internal mechanics, freeing the core faculty and board members from day-to-day administrative, logistical, and financial burdens so they can focus on their long-term vision, academic research, and teaching.
Key Responsibilities
- Day-to-Day Operations & Facilities: Manage all daily facility logistics, general compliance, and administrative problem-solving.
- Financial Administration: Oversee comprehensive financial workflows, financial management, and payroll.
- Policy & Procedure Professionalization: Oversee strategic operational planning. Establish Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for activities ranging from student financial aid to onboarding, event planning, communications, strategic planning, and performance management.
- Staff Management: Directly supervise and coach the operations team, launching performance management approaches.
- Systems Integration: Establish mechanisms to coordinate across the Tayseer brand.
- Problem Solving: Serve as eyes, ears, and actioner of the leadership team, spearheading efforts to translate emerging plans into action.
Candidate Profile
The successful individual must have professional experience operating within an established organization. Essential skills include workflow and project management, financial management, stakeholder coordination, strategic planning, and communications. They must also possess high emotional intelligence, organizational savvy, and the ability to discern appropriate responses among dynamic stakeholders that include religious leaders, academic faculty, influential community members, students, and staff. Character attributes required for success include time management and accountability; initiative-taking, intrinsic motivation, and positivity; and humility and willingness to operate without ego among the team. All members of the Tayseer team must deeply appreciate and respect the hierarchical reverence embedded in a traditional religious and seminary environment.
Reporting Structure
This is a new position for Tayseer Seminary. The Director will report to the Founder and President Dr. Hassan Lachheb, while working directly with core faculty and the board. They will directly supervise the administrative, finance, communications, and outreach staff.
Location & Commitment
Full-time, based in Knoxville, TN. This position is being recruited as Temp-to-Hire. For the initial 6 months, the selected candidate will join the Forerunners team as an independent consultant. They can be based remotely with regular travel to Tayseer in Knoxville. During this period, the individual and Tayseer leadership will receive regular coaching and advisory support from Forerunners to help set up both parties for success.
At the end of the 6-month period, if both parties are in agreement to move forward, the Operations Director's employment will transition to Tayseer. They will be expected to report on-site in Knoxville full-time with a competitive salary of $75k–$85k, which includes a built-in premium to allow the candidate to self-manage their preferred healthcare coverage on the open market.
How to Apply
Please apply via the Forerunners application form. If you experience any difficulties, please contact Forerunners at [email protected] using the subject "Tayseer OD." Strongly aligned candidates will be contacted by the Forerunners team.