Director of Operations (with HR & Executive Support)

Northwestern Mutual - Denver•Greenwood Village, CO

1d•$85,000 - $120,000

About The Position

The Director of Operations is a hands-on, trusted leader responsible for keeping a small, fast-moving organization running smoothly. This role blends operations, HR, and executive support and is designed for someone who thrives in a lean environment, wears multiple hats, and takes ownership without needing heavy structure. This position acts as the operational backbone of the company and a strategic right hand to the Owner ensuring people, processes, and priorities stay aligned as the business grows.

Requirements

7+ years of experience in operations, HR, executive support, or business management
Experience working in a small company, startup, or founder-led environment
Strong working knowledge of HR practices and basic employment compliance
Exceptional organization, follow-through, and prioritization skills
High level of discretion, emotional intelligence, and judgment
Comfortable working independently with minimal oversight/self-starter

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Business, HR, Operations, or related field
Experience supporting an Owner or founder
Familiarity with HRIS, project management, and productivity tools

Responsibilities

Own day-to-day operations across the entire business
Understand and implement the owner’s priorities into clear action items, timelines, and follow-through
Build and maintain simple, scalable processes
Manage basic operational budgets
Identify inefficiencies and proactively recommend improvements
Manage full employee lifecycle: recruiting coordination, onboarding, and offboarding
Draft and maintain job descriptions and role clarity as the company evolves
Support the owner with performance conversations, feedback, and goal-setting
Act as the first point of contact for employee questions and concerns
Maintain employee handbook, policies, and basic SOPs
Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local employment laws
Coordinate payroll, benefits administration, and leave management
Maintain personnel files, HR systems, and data accuracy
Help foster a positive, accountable, and people-first culture
Support engagement, communication, and team alignment
Serve as a confidential and trusted resource for the team
Serve as the Owner’s primary operational and administrative partner
Manage email inbox
Handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion
Act as a liaison between the Owner and internal/external partner
Step in wherever needed to keep the business moving forward
Lead or support special projects and growth initiatives
Help prepare the company for future hiring and scale
Build foundational systems that can grow with the business