Lead I, Operations & Strategy

The Education Trust • York, NY

6d • $86,070 - $107,580 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Education Trust – New York (ETNY) is seeking a Lead I, Operations & Strategy for its New York office. The role serves as a functional operational and strategy lead, independently managing day-to-day operations, people and culture workstreams, and key administrative processes. The Lead I supports the organization’s mission to close opportunity gaps affecting students of color and students from low-income backgrounds and to advance educational equity.

Reporting to the Deputy Director of Strategy & Operations, the role partners with executive leadership to turn the Operations function’s long-term vision into goals and work plans, supports development and implementation of ETNY’s three-year strategic plan, and leads project management systems and cross-team processes. The position also manages office finance and administration in collaboration with the Executive Assistant and EdTrust National’s Finance team, and coordinates events and programs aligned with strategic goals. The role may recruit, hire, and manage one to two employees and/or interns as appropriate and budget permitting.

The position is available immediately and is based in the New York office, primarily working from a home office in New York or New Jersey.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Substantial related work experience in operations or operations-related roles (for example, five or more years).
• Interest in or knowledge of education policy, especially issues of equity.
• Experience with project management tools such as Asana, including developing and managing robust project plans across multiple functional areas.
• Strong project management skills, including designing and establishing processes, systems, and procedures, ensuring adherence, and stewarding continuous improvement.
• Knowledge and experience with finance-related activities such as reconciliations, vendor payments, budget management, grant reporting, and reimbursements.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity and resolve complex operational challenges.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to plan, multitask, and prioritize, with high attention to detail.
• Teamwork skills and eagerness for collaboration.
• Willingness to receive and act upon constructive feedback and to provide constructive feedback.
• Commitment to continuous learning, self-reflection, and professional growth, including openness to feedback and evolving practices aligned with EdTrust’s values.
• Sound judgment.
• Shared belief in EdTrust’s mission and commitment to improving educational equity.
• Dedication to contributing to and maintaining an equitable working environment.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with cloud-based financial management software such as Intacct is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director to translate the long-term vision for the New York office Operations function into short- and long-term goals and work plans.
• Serve as primary administrator and manager of Asana, designing and maintaining workflows, dashboards, project templates, and reporting systems.
• Design, implement, and continually improve internal systems and processes that increase cross-team collaboration and efficiency, including meeting cadences, project governance, and accountability structures.
• Design, coordinate, and implement people and culture projects and programs in collaboration with the National office.
• Support the Deputy Director in developing and implementing the ETNY three-year strategic plan.
• Manage day-to-day office finance and administration in collaboration with the Executive Assistant, including budget tracking, vendor contracts, grant reporting, and reconciliations.
• Serve as the primary liaison with EdTrust National’s Finance team to ensure compliance and fiscal integrity.
• Coordinate and implement internal and external events and programs that advance ETNY’s strategic goals.
• May recruit, hire, and manage one to two employees and/or interns as appropriate and budget permitting, including delegating tasks, coaching and developing staff, and assessing performance.
• Stay abreast of trends and research in relevant content areas and recommend process or practice improvements.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance covered at 100% for the employee, with significant coverage also offered for spouses, domestic partners, and dependents.
• Sick leave, vacation leave, and personal leave.
• Most holiday closures follow the federal government calendar.
• Week-long summer and winter office breaks.
• Employee Assistance Program at no cost to the employee.
• A 7% contribution opportunity on a 403(b) retirement plan.

What This Job Offers

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