Senior Director of Operations Strategy and Alignment

Position Summary : The Senior Director of Operations Strategy & Alignment serves as a key strategic partner to the Chief Operating Officer, driving the successful execution of cross-functional projects that strengthen the alignment between Operations, HR, and other network support departments. This role focuses on managing and / or overseeing critical special projects, monitoring departmental budgets, and ensuring coordination of strategic priorities across departments. The Senior Director also leads the design and facilitation of department-level retreats and provides direct operational support to the COO in implementing executive level next steps and network initiatives. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker and strong executor who thrives at the intersection of people, systems, and operations, someone who can move seamlessly between high-level planning and detailed implementation. This role will eventually include people management responsibilities as the function grows.

Duties and Responsibilities :

• Essential Job Functions :
• Strategic Project Management & Execution :
• Lead and manage special projects and strategic initiatives that advance organizational goals and priorities across HR, Operations, and other departments.
• Translate strategic objectives into clear work plans, deliverables, and timelines; ensure milestones are met.
• Collaborate with department leaders to monitor progress on strategic initiatives and resolve bottlenecks.
• Serve as project liaison for cross-departmental efforts such as systems integration, process redesign, or innovation pilots.
• Develop and maintain a dashboard tracking the status and outcomes of strategic initiatives.
• Budget and Vendor Oversight :
• Oversee and monitor the departmental budget process for HR and Operations, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and fiscal discipline.
• Oversee, manage, and optimize the vendor management system (VMS), ensuring efficient onboarding, contract management, and performance tracking of all vendors.
• Partner with Finance and Procurement to streamline vendor and budget workflows and enhance transparency across departments. o Analyze spending trends, identify opportunities for savings or reinvestment, and develop recommendations for leadership.
• Departmental Integration & Coordination :
• Strengthen collaboration and communication between HR, Operations, and other network departments by developing systems for coordination and follow-through.
• Support the COO in ensuring departments are aligned to shared priorities, deadlines, and outcomes.
• Create and manage communication protocols, shared planning documents, and progress reporting structures across departments.
• Facilitate problem-solving sessions and working groups to address emerging cross-functional issues.
• Innovation and Expansion Initiatives :
• Partner with senior leaders to design and implement innovation pilots and expansion projects that advance organizational efficiency, equity, and sustainability.
• Support research and design of new operational or people systems that enhance productivity and staff experience.
• Coordinate stakeholder engagement and communication for pilot programs or change initiatives.
• Document lessons learned, codify best practices, and ensure replication across departments.
• Executive-Level Coordination & Strategic Support :
• Support the COO in executive-level planning, follow-up, and coordination across leadership teams.
• Prepare materials, summaries, and communications for Chiefs, board updates, and cross-departmental meetings.
• Track action items from executive and departmental meetings, ensuring timely completion and accountability.
• Provide thought partnership to the COO on strategic planning, performance monitoring, and change management.
• Departmental Retreats and Culture Building :
• Design, plan, and coordinate department-level retreats that foster alignment, reflection, and team development.
• Develop agendas, facilitation materials, and logistics for retreats in collaboration with department heads.
• Ensure retreats integrate data, reflection, and strategy development aligned with annual goals.
• Support ongoing culture-building efforts that strengthen collaboration and cross-team trust.

Qualifications :

Education and Experience :

Other Requirements :

Salary and Bonus Information :