Director of Operations
About The Position
CocoKids is a nonprofit organization dedicated to championing and advancing quality child care and early education. Serving children, families, and early educators throughout Contra Costa County, CocoKids provides free and low-cost programs that help parents work and ensure children are prepared for success in school and life. Founded in 1976, CocoKids offers childcare referrals, family support and education, financial assistance for working families, and training and resources for early care and education professionals. Guided by a commitment to equity, collaboration, and community impact, CocoKids works to strengthen families, support educators, and improve outcomes for children. The Director of Operations is a senior leadership role for an experienced nonprofit human resources leader who has led the full HR function and brings a broad, hands-on skill set across people operations. This role is ideal for a leader who has supported organizational growth and cultural change by building strong HR systems, applying policy with sound judgment, and partnering closely with executive leadership. Human Resources is the primary focus of the role, encompassing talent acquisition, onboarding, performance management, employee relations, learning and development, compensation and benefits, compliance, HR systems, and culture-building across a diverse, hybrid workforce. In addition to HR leadership, the Director of Operations provides strategic oversight of Facilities, Information Technology, and Compliance/Risk Management. Experience overseeing IT and facilities is a plus but not required; success in this role depends on effective oversight, vendor management, and cross-functional collaboration rather than technical expertise. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Operations serves as the organization’s HIPAA Privacy Officer, sits alongside the Director of Finance, and partners with executive leadership to support a mission-driven organization of approximately 125 staff.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field, a master’s degree is a plus.
- Minimum of 8 years of experience in Human Resources, with at least 4 years in a senior leadership role.
- Demonstrated strength in HR leadership, including employee relations, policy application, training, and culture-building.
- Strong understanding of nonprofit operations and regulatory requirements.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to think strategically and execute effectively.
- Commitment to the mission and values of CocoKids.
- Valid Driver’s License and insurance & the ability to drive to CocoKids locations.
Nice To Haves
- Experience overseeing facilities and IT through managers and external vendors, a plus.
Responsibilities
- Provide strategic leadership across all HR functions, including recruitment, onboarding, performance management, learning and development, employee relations, compliance, and HR systems.
- Strengthen HR infrastructure to support organizational growth, including hiring, performance, and termination processes.
- Oversee and optimize the relationship with the Professional Employer Organization (PEO).
- Lead compensation and benefits strategy aligned with internal job evaluation systems.
- Design and implement leadership and employee development initiatives.
- Partner with leadership to assess and evolve organizational culture across a multi-generational, hybrid workforce.
- Lead employee engagement efforts and follow through on findings.
- Apply HR policies with sound judgment, balancing consistency, equity, and situational nuance.
- Mitigate employment-related risk and ensure compliance.
- Provide oversight of facilities operations across multiple sites to ensure safe, efficient, and well-maintained environments.
- Lead facilities planning, space utilization, inventory management, and workplace strategy.
- Manage facilities projects, vendors, and budgets in coordination with Finance.
- Communicate facilities needs, risks, and impact to executive leadership.
- Provide strategic oversight of IT operations, ensuring systems are secure, effective, and aligned with organizational needs.
- Manage IT vendors and consultants and translate organizational priorities into clear solutions.
- Oversee IT budgeting, inventory, and long-term planning.
- Ensure technology effectively supports a hybrid workforce.
- Participate in the development and implementation of organizational policies.
- Ensure compliance with employment law, HIPAA, privacy requirements, and nonprofit standards.
- Identify operational risks and develop proactive mitigation strategies.
- Serve as a thought partner to executive leadership on operational strategy, scalability, and effectiveness.
- Support cross-functional initiatives that strengthen systems, culture, and staff experience.
- Partner with the Director of Finance on annual budgeting, expense tracking, and financial reporting related to operations.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance with 100% employer-paid premiums for employees and 50% for dependents
- Employer-paid life insurance, AD&D, and long-term disability
- 403(b) retirement plan with a 6% employer contribution after two years
- Flexible Spending Accounts (health care & dependent care)
- Paid Time Off: 16 PTO days in the first year, plus a personal birthday holiday
- 15 paid holidays, including winter break closure
- 2 paid volunteer days annually
- Education assistance, adoption assistance, and caregiver support programs
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and wellness resources
- Professional development with access to thousands of online courses
- Employee discounts and legal support resources
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
