Job DetailsJob Location: Birmingham Office - Birmingham, AL 35212Position Type: Full TimeSalary Range: $48,000.00 - $54,000.00 Salary
Job Description
Position: Business Operations Specialist
Term: Full-time, salaried
Pay: $54,000/annual + health insurance, paid time off, and other benefits
Location: Birmingham, AL
Reports To: Director, Operations
Direct Reports: None
Updated: June 15, 2026
Organization Description
Urban Alchemy hires individuals who were once incarcerated and trains them to transform people and places through love and respect. We provide services that heal communities challenged by the intersection of extreme poverty, mental illness, addiction, and homelessness. When individuals are suffering in our public spaces, Urban Alchemy offers solutions. When a neighborhood, street, or intersection earns a reputation as a place to avoid, we turn it around. Urban Alchemy staff, known as Practitioners, create a peaceful and supportive presence, helping our communities rebuild a sense of pride one person at a time. Urban Alchemy is a nonprofit organization founded in 2018. We quickly grew from a small program in San Francisco to a thriving social enterprise with over 1,000 staff. We currently operate in California, Alabama, Colorado, Georgia, New Mexico, and Oregon. Over 95% of Urban Alchemy employees, including leadership, experienced incarceration and/or homelessness. For more information visit our website.
Position Summary
The Business Operations Specialist keeps Urban Alchemy’s worksites running. This is an operational generalist role spanning procurement, office administration, facilities coordination, vendor management, and cross-departmental communication. The Business Operations Specialist is the primary operational point of contact for their region, working closely with Operations, Contracts, and HR to make sure supplies are stocked, equipment is functioning, office systems are running, and worksite needs are addressed in real time. This role requires someone who handles routine and surprise in equal measure, follows through without being asked, and communicates proactively. Keeping operations running smoothly is part of making that work possible.
Position Duties and Responsibilities
Position Specific
Monitor daily operations across assigned worksites and address issues proactively before they escalate
Procure supplies and equipment for Operations; maintain adequate stock levels and coordinate distribution to worksites
Monitor budgets and track procurement spending; report regularly to the Director of Operations and recommend cost-effective solutions
Coordinate internal and external resources; manage vendor relationships and hold vendors accountable to agreed terms and timelines
Manage all aspects of office and worksite administration, including common areas, correspondence, file systems, supplies, and equipment
Manage space and infrastructure planning, including workstation changes, office moves, and resource allocation
Oversee visitor experience; ensure a welcoming and professional environment for guests, staff, and external stakeholders
Coordinate with Operations, Contracts, and HR to ensure hiring plans meet business needs and contractual obligations
Build and implement processes that improve operational efficiency; measure outcomes and recommend improvements
Serve as the primary operational point of contact for the worksite; keep management informed through regular performance reports
Respond to requests and questions about office and worksite operations with urgency and clear follow-through
Support the Safety Committee and other cross-departmental initiatives as assigned
General
Follow all safety procedures and ensure compliance with OSHA, state, local, and Urban Alchemy policies
Attend orientation and complete all required training mandated by the organization or funders
Wear designated Urban Alchemy uniform and ID badge at all times
Perform additional duties as assigned by supervisor
Position Requirements
Position Specific
2+ years of experience in operations, procurement, facilities coordination, or a closely related administrative role
Demonstrated ability to manage vendor relationships and procurement processes; experience tracking budgets and maintaining accurate inventory records
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail; able to manage multiple open items simultaneously without losing accuracy or follow-through
Proficient with office applications, including Google Workspace and Microsoft Office; able to learn new software and systems quickly
Clear written and verbal communication skills; able to communicate effectively with vendors, staff, and Operations leadership
Experience developing or improving internal systems, processes, or documentation preferred
Associate’s degree or equivalent preferred; relevant experience may substitute
Character and Judgment
You are an owner, not a task-taker. You know what needs to happen, you track it, and you close the loop without being asked. If something is running low, it is your job to catch it before it runs out.
You move with urgency. A worksite waiting on PPE or a broken copier is not a minor inconvenience. You respond quickly, communicate clearly, and do not let requests sit.
You hold a high standard for accuracy. Procurement records, budget tracking, and inventory counts have downstream consequences. You check your work.
You communicate proactively. When a delivery is delayed, a vendor is unresponsive, or a request will take longer than expected, you say so early. Silence is never the answer.
You are resourceful and solutions-oriented. You do not wait to be told what to do when something is not working. You identify the problem, find a path forward, and loop in leadership when appropriate.
You are disciplined in following process. Urban Alchemy has built the infrastructure: the workflows, the approval processes, the documentation standards. Your value is in executing them rigorously, not in reinventing them.
You adapt without losing your footing. Urban Alchemy is a growing organization. New worksites, new contracts, new requirements. You handle change without dropping open items.
General
Values kindness and respect in all interactions
Genuinely aligned with the organization’s mission, values, and model
Compassionate and emotionally resilient when serving individuals experiencing poverty, mental illness, addiction, or homelessness
Must be able to obtain and maintain background clearance in accordance with Urban Alchemy policy
Lived experience with incarceration and/or homelessness is valued
Physical Requirements
Sitting: 5+ hours
Standing: 1+ hours
Walking: 2+ hours
Bending at waist: 1+ hours
Lifting: Up to 40 lbs occasionally (supply boxes, equipment)
Work Environment
Work is performed in a shelter site with direct, regular exposure to the shelter environment and guests served
May involve exposure to extreme temperatures, dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, unpleasant odors, and/or loud noises
In-Office Requirement
This position requires full-time in-office presence five days per week
In-office presence is non-negotiable and is essential to how this role serves Operations
Statement of Non-discrimination
Urban Alchemy shares a special bond with society’s most vulnerable because we see ourselves in their struggle. When doing our work, we recognize the humanity in those who are struggling and treat them how we once wished others had treated us. People who have been incarcerated, experienced homelessness and/or come from marginalized communities are strongly encouraged to apply because we believe they have unique skills and abilities to engage with people who are struggling. Urban Alchemy provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. Urban Alchemy prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type.
How to Apply
If you have questions, please email [email protected] and indicate the position you are interested in. You can apply for this position by visiting: https://www.paycomonline.net.