Director of Operations

Public Law Center • Santa Ana, CA

5d • $115,000 - $150,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Operations is a senior leadership position responsible for the effective, efficient, and equitable operation of Public Law Center (PLC). Reporting to the CEO/Executive Director, the Director oversees core administrative systems, risk management including liability insurance, facilities, technology, vendor relationships, and organizational processes, and collaborates across departments to support PLC’s legal services and mission. Specific direct reports will be determined based on organizational structure.

The Director leads day-to-day organizational operations and develops systems, policies, and procedures that support effective service delivery and organizational growth. The role also supports development and implementation of the strategic plan. The position is based at PLC’s Santa Ana, California offices, with work from the office four to five days a week and some hybrid work permitted when the employee can work from home in a distraction-free and confidential environment. Travel to work sites throughout Orange County is required, and the schedule may include occasional evenings and weekends.

Requirements

• At least five years of progressively responsible experience in operations, administration, or organizational management, including supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated ability to manage budgets, vendors, contracts, projects, and competing organizational priorities.
• Experience improving processes and implementing operational systems across teams.
• Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and exercise sound judgment.
• Must be able to work from the office four to five days a week; some hybrid work is permitted if able to work from home in a distraction-free and confidential environment.
• Must be able to work at the organization’s offices in Santa Ana, California, and travel to work sites throughout Orange County, California.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including occasional evenings and weekends.
• Bachelor’s degree required.
• PLC is unable to sponsor employment visas or consider individuals on time-limited visa status for this position.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in a nonprofit, legal services, or mission-driven organization.
• Familiarity with HR administration, facilities, IT coordination, compliance, and organizational risk management.
• Advanced degree preferred.
• Bilingual English/Spanish or English/Vietnamese preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day organizational operations and develop systems, policies, and procedures that support effective service delivery and organizational growth.
• Oversee office administration, reception, facilities, equipment, space planning, workplace safety, and business continuity planning.
• Manage vendor relationships, contracts, purchasing, and procurement processes, with attention to cost effectiveness and accountability.
• Partner with finance leadership on annual budgeting, expense monitoring, operational forecasts, internal controls, and financial reporting processes.
• Oversee organizational technology operations in coordination with internal staff and external IT providers, including cybersecurity practices, access management, and technology planning.
• Collaborate with leadership on human resources operations, including onboarding and offboarding processes, employee policies, benefits administration coordination, and staff support.
• Supervise and develop assigned operations and administrative personnel, including setting priorities, providing coaching, and conducting performance management.
• Improve cross-departmental workflows, records management, document retention, data practices, and administrative tools to strengthen consistency and service quality.
• Support compliance and risk management with applicable employment, workplace, contractual, insurance, and grant-related operational requirements in coordination with appropriate internal and external experts.
• Coordinate operational planning for organizational events, meetings, audits, and strategic initiatives.
• Identify operational risks, develop practical solutions, and provide regular updates and recommendations to the CEO/Executive Director.
• Support development and implementation of the strategic plan.

Benefits

• Health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; PLC pays 100% of employee premium costs for most plans and 50% of dependent health insurance premium costs.
• Flexible Spending Account Program to help pay for medical expenses and childcare costs.
• 18–20 paid holidays, including the office shutdown between December 24 and early January.
• 21 paid sick/wellness days per year.
• 15 paid vacation days per year, with additional days added for each year at PLC.
• Two hours of birthday paid time off during the employee’s birthday month.
• 403b retirement plan; after six months of employment, PLC provides a matching contribution equal to 100% of salary deferral up to a maximum of 3–4%, depending on length of employment.
• Monthly stipend to offset Wi-Fi and cell phone costs.
• Monthly bilingual pay premium after achieving a sufficiently high score on an oral and/or written test ($50 for oral and $50 for written).
• Opportunities for growth and advancement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director