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Mark, Sr. Director of Operations at Tend: Advize Career Interview
A dynamic career journey, beginning with diverse college experiences and a pivot into tech at Uber, propelled Mark to a Senior Director of Operations role at Tend.
This multifaceted position involves leading four teams, driving company strategy, and acting as a quasi-product manager, highlighting a blend of operational expertise and strategic thinking.
A typical workday balances collaborative meetings with individual tasks such as data analysis and forecasting.
Success in this field requires a combination of hard skills like data analysis and soft skills such as communication and leadership.
The most rewarding aspect is the continuous problem-solving and drive for improvement, fueled by a competitive spirit.
Despite challenges in business growth, Mark emphasizes the importance of networking and acquiring technical skills early in one's career.
Undergraduate experiences, including juggling academics and work, instilled a strong work ethic and growth mindset.
Mark's first-generation American identity fostered resourcefulness and a proactive approach to learning, providing valuable lessons for navigating the competitive tech industry.
Entry-level aspirants should prioritize internships and multifaceted roles at reputable companies to maximize learning opportunities.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Mark Pesin
Sr. Director of Operations
Tend
University of California, Santa Barbara
N/A
Film, Media Arts, Visual Arts
Operations
Operations and Project Management
Took Out Loans, Transfer Student
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Career Path of a Senior Director of Operations at Tend
Mark's career journey began with diverse college jobs and a brief, unsuccessful foray into Hollywood, leading to a pivot into tech at Uber, where "it was like a launchpad for my career". Subsequent roles at Snapchat, Bird, Workrise, independent consulting, and finally Tend showcase a progression through operations, growth, and strategy within the tech and staffing industries, culminating in Mark's current position as Senior Director of Operations.
Main Responsibilities of a Senior Director of Operations at Tend
Mark's main responsibilities as Senior Director of Operations at Tend, a staffing company, encompass overseeing four teams ("supply, staffing, payments, and compliance"), driving company strategy ("where we putting our emphasis? What cities, um, what clients"), and acting as a "quasi product manager," leading product development initiatives. This multifaceted role showcases Mark's leadership and strategic influence within the organization.
A Day In The Life Of A Senior Director Of Operations At Tend
Mark, a Senior Director of Operations at Tend, describes a hybrid work setting where 75% of the workday involves "meetings, meeting with people," ensuring projects stay on track and fostering continuous improvement. The remaining 25% is dedicated to individual tasks like "planning, doing analyses, putting together forecasts," contributing to the company's future direction.
Most Important Skills For A Senior Director Of Operations At Tend
Mark, a Senior Director of Operations, emphasizes that while experience is crucial, "hard skills" like data analysis (Excel, SQL), and understanding how technology works are essential. Additionally, strong "soft skills" including communication and leadership are vital for success in this leadership role, as is the ability to navigate and adapt to various systems and software.
Favorite Parts of Being a Senior Director of Operations at Tend
Mark, a Senior Director of Operations, finds the most rewarding aspect of the role to be "a never-ending wave of problem-solving," constantly striving for improvement and pushing the company to excel. This competitive drive, honed from "playing sports growing up," translates into a desire to outperform competitors in the business world.
Biggest Challenges Faced by a Senior Director of Operations at Tend
Mark's biggest challenge as Senior Director of Operations at Tend is "always coming up with new ways to grow the business," a task requiring more effort than the operational aspects which come "very naturally." This reveals a focus on continuous growth and a self-awareness of areas needing development within their skillset.
Favorite Parts of Working in the Tech Industry as a Senior Director of Operations
Mark, a Senior Director of Operations at Tend, finds the constant need for innovation in the tech industry most exciting, stating that "tech is forced to always push the envelope." This continuous drive to "always be better" is what makes the tech industry particularly engaging for his career.
What Type Of Person Thrives In Operations, According To A Senior Director Of Operations At Tend
Mark, a Senior Director of Operations at Tend, highlights the importance of a "hybrid" skillset for success in tech operations and strategy, emphasizing the need for strong technical skills in data analysis and business understanding combined with excellent communication. The ideal candidate, according to Mark, possesses the ability to "always get better from a technical perspective" while also being a "good communicator" and "good problem solver".
What a Senior Director of Operations at Tend Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Healthcare Industry
Mark, a Senior Director of Operations, wishes they had known the significant technical skills needed in the industry before starting their career, suggesting a head start in college would have been beneficial. The most impactful advice given was the importance of "leveraging your network," emphasizing the willingness of people to help, especially those who are "good at what you do".
Entry-level positions for aspiring Operations Professionals
For undergraduate students seeking entry-level operations positions, internships are a great starting point, followed by roles such as "operations specialist," "operations coordinator," or "operations assistant." Mark advises seeking opportunities at "a really good company where you'll meet a lot of people that you can learn from," or roles that are "multifaceted," offering exposure to diverse aspects of the business.
Significant Career Lesson From a Sr. Director of Operations at Tend
Mark, a Senior Director of Operations, emphasizes the significant impact of networking, stating that "leveraging your network is absolutely the thing that people should do." He regrets not utilizing this strategy earlier in his career, highlighting its effectiveness in overcoming the competitive job market where "even if you're good, you're still competing with dozens of different people," and advocating for proactive outreach, even to those not recently contacted.
College Experiences That Helped a Sr. Director of Operations at Tend Succeed
Mark's undergraduate experience instilled a strong work ethic—"maintaining good grades while working, while partying"—and a growth mindset, seeking out respected professors and absorbing information. This translated to a career where they actively sought mentors, emulating their strengths and learning from their weaknesses, while also highlighting a wish for earlier acquisition of technical skills like Excel proficiency, crucial for navigating the professional world.
How Identity Has Influenced a Senior Director of Operations at Tend's Career
Mark's first-generation American identity meant navigating career development independently, leading to early immersion in "the career fire" and fostering a proactive approach to learning from diverse sources. This experience emphasized resourcefulness and the importance of seizing every opportunity, shaping a career built on adaptability and continuous learning.
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