Director of Operations & People

Forward Majority•Washington, DC

About The Position

Forward Majority seeks a senior organizational leader to oversee the systems, infrastructure, and people practices that support effective, responsible, and scalable operations. Reporting to the CEO, the Director oversees business and financial operations, tax and regulatory compliance, audit, grants administration, payroll and benefits, human resources, and organizational administration. The role is a strategic partner to the CEO and leadership team and manages relationships with external accountants, auditors, tax professionals, compliance consultants, payroll and benefits providers, and other professional service firms. The position calls for a strategic, hands-on operator with strong judgment, discretion, organizational skills, and the ability to manage complex, interconnected processes. The Director will maintain systems that meet legal and financial obligations, support employees, and provide the infrastructure needed to advance the organization’s mission. The role includes managing operating and program budgets, financial controls, compliance and audit processes, grants and inter-entity transactions, human resources, payroll and benefits, and administrative infrastructure. The organization has fewer than 15 employees and expects a two-year budget of $50 million for 2027–2028. The preferred location is the Washington, DC area. Conducting in-person activities for this role is required. The salary range is $150,000 to $170,000, commensurate with experience and skill.

Requirements

At least 8 years of progressive experience in operations, nonprofit administration, finance, HR/people operations, compliance, or a related field, with increasing responsibility.
Experience in a senior operations, administration, finance, HR, or organizational leadership role.
Demonstrated experience managing complex operational functions and multiple external professional service providers.
Experience overseeing accounting, tax, audit, compliance, payroll, benefits, or other regulated organizational functions.
Strong understanding of organizational budgeting, financial processes, and internal controls.
Experience managing HR and employee lifecycle processes, including recruiting, onboarding, performance management, employee relations, and offboarding.
Exceptional project and time-management skills, including the ability to manage concurrent priorities and critical deadlines.
Excellent judgment and the ability to handle confidential, sensitive, and high-stakes matters with discretion.
Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work effectively with executives, employees, outside counsel, accountants, auditors, consultants, and other professional partners.
Ability to operate strategically while personally engaging in detailed execution when necessary.
High degree of initiative, resourcefulness, and follow-through.
Strong proficiency with organizational and financial technology systems.
Ability to conduct in-person activities for the role.

Nice To Haves

Experience with nonprofit organizations.
Familiarity with 501(c)(4) organizations, PACs, charitable registrations, and political/nonprofit compliance.
Experience with Justworks, Ramp, Expensify, Sage, JazzHR, or comparable systems.

Responsibilities

Develop and manage operating and program budgets with the CEO, leadership team, and department heads; monitor forecasts and variances and support resource-allocation decisions.
Serve as a senior operational partner to the CEO and leadership team, identifying organizational needs and developing or improving systems and processes.
Oversee financial operations and compliance, serving as the internal liaison to external accountants and the compliance firm and ensuring they have the information, documentation, and direction needed.
Oversee accounts payable and bill payment through Ramp, including expense documentation, approvals, and timely processing.
Oversee expense management and corporate credit card processes, including Expensify or successor systems.
Work with the accounting team to support accounting processes and maintain functional systems.
Establish and maintain financial and operational controls, including monthly 501(c)(4)/PAC cost allocations.
Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, internal controls, and organizational systems and processes.
Own the compliance calendar and ensure legal, tax, regulatory, and reporting obligations are anticipated and completed on time.
Oversee organizational registrations, including charitable registrations across applicable states and jurisdictions.
Manage the relationship with the tax accountant and ensure required tax filings, including Forms 990 and related filings, are accurate and timely.
Lead and coordinate the annual audit of the organization’s 501(c)(4), ensuring auditors and accountants receive necessary information and meet deadlines.
Manage the external compliance consultant and ensure required PAC and other compliance reports are accurate and timely.
Coordinate with staff, accountants, attorneys, auditors, and compliance consultants on compliance requirements; maintain records and documentation and escalate significant risks.
Oversee grants and transfers between the organization’s 501(c)(4) and PAC, ensuring appropriate approvals, documentation, accounting treatment, and compliance.
Manage grants to external organizations, including payments, documentation, deliverables, and required reports.
Partner with program, finance, and development teams to ensure grant commitments, expenditures, reporting, and documentation are appropriately tracked and maintained.
Lead human resources and people operations, partnering with the CEO and leadership team on organizational structure, staffing, personnel policies, and people strategy.
Own the hiring process with support from the Chief of Staff, including job descriptions, candidate screening, interviews, references, offers, and candidate experience.
Own employee onboarding and offboarding and coordinate related HR, payroll, benefits, technology, and organizational systems.
Support employees and managers on workplace policies, processes, and routine employee relations matters, escalating sensitive or complex issues appropriately.
Oversee performance reviews, including timelines, manager coordination, documentation, and follow-through.
Maintain and periodically update the Employee Handbook and related personnel policies and procedures, with support from the Chief of Staff.
Maintain HR practices and documentation and coordinate with external HR, legal, and payroll resources as needed.
Partner with the CEO and leadership team on employee engagement, organizational culture, staff development, and other people priorities while protecting confidential information.
Oversee payroll through Justworks, including accurate and timely processing and state-specific withholding requirements.
Oversee employee benefits and coordinate with Justworks and other benefits providers.
Work with the CEO and external providers to manage insurance programs, including D&O, workers’ compensation, and healthcare coverage; track policies, renewals, payments, documentation, and coverage requirements.
Oversee the 401(k) program, including coordinating bi-monthly contributions with payroll and updating employee contributions as needed.
Ensure employees receive timely and accurate information about payroll, benefits, retirement, and related programs.
Oversee and strengthen administrative infrastructure, including providing material support for Board meetings, maintaining operational policies and procedures, documenting systems, and recommending improvements.
Partner with Operations team members to clarify responsibility ownership and ensure effective coverage.
Work with department leaders to understand operational needs and translate them into effective systems and processes.
Manage and hold external vendors and professional service providers accountable for high-quality, timely work.
Anticipate operational challenges, develop solutions, balance strategic priorities with day-to-day execution, and foster accountability, professionalism, collaboration, and continuous improvement.