National Director of Operations & Quality Assurance

The Moran Company•Portland, OR

12d•$100,000 - $115,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Friends of the Children is hiring its first National Director of Operations & Quality Assurance. The role provides strategic and operational leadership to ensure the National organization and its network have the systems, processes, infrastructure, and practices needed to operate effectively and efficiently. Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the Director oversees network quality assurance, enterprise reporting and analytics, network operations and support, vendor and contract management, business continuity, and administrative best practices, while supporting risk management, facilities, and Human Resources. The Director works closely with the National Executive Team to turn organizational strategy and operational and financial data into scalable practices that improve efficiency, accountability, risk management, and performance across the organization and its network. Initial priorities include refining the chapter quality assurance and monitoring process, maintaining the chapter health dashboard, and leading risk management. The role is a hands-on contributor who leads through relationships, judgment, and influence, and serves as a resource to chapter leaders on operational standards and best practices. This is a full-time, exempt, hybrid position based in Portland, Oregon, requiring at least three onsite days per week at the National Center of Excellence. The annual salary range is $100,000–$115,000. Applications are due December 10, 2026.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, operations management, public administration, or a related field.
At least 7 years of progressive operational leadership experience.
Demonstrated experience designing and implementing scalable systems, processes, and operational infrastructure.
Strong experience with operational reporting, data analytics, and performance measurement, including executive-level reporting and dashboards.
Broad business acumen and ability to learn quickly, work across functions, and navigate a wide range of operational responsibilities.
Financial acumen, including the ability to interpret budgets, forecasts, financial reports, and performance metrics.
Experience leading cross-functional projects, process improvement initiatives, organizational change management, and implementation of new systems.
Strong project management, organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills.
Ability to build relationships, influence across teams, and drive accountability without relying solely on direct authority.
Ability to apply compliance and risk-management practices with sound judgment, attention to detail, and a practical, collaborative approach.
Executive presence and ability to communicate confidently with Board members, executive leaders, chapter staff, and colleagues at all levels.
Self-starter who takes ownership of work and collaborates effectively with a geographically dispersed team and a supervisor based outside Portland.
Commitment to Friends of the Children’s mission, values, and relational culture that puts the needs of children first.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a nonprofit, mission-driven, or grant-funded organization.
Experience in a federated or chapter-based organization, franchise environment, or comparable multi-site model.
Direct experience with federal grant compliance and subaward monitoring.
Experience overseeing facilities or workplace operations.
Lean, Six Sigma, PMP, or similar operational excellence certification.

Responsibilities

Redesign and implement the network’s chapter monitoring process, including quality assurance, grant documentation, and organizational accountability.
Monitor compliance with National standards, chapter agreements, organizational policies, and applicable grant requirements; identify risks and underperformance and coordinate corrective actions.
Partner with the Director of National Grants and other stakeholders on chapter subawards, documentation, monitoring, and reporting requirements.
Coordinate operational aspects of grant compliance and reporting with Finance, Development, Program, and Network teams.
Develop and improve operational systems, processes, standards, and tools to promote efficiency, consistency, accountability, and scalability.
Translate organizational strategy into practical operating plans and lead cross-functional process improvements, including support for opportunities such as Medicaid reimbursement.
Lead operational readiness for new locations, including insurance, facilities, systems, vendors, and other operational requirements.
Support HR with onboarding Operations Directors across the Network and establish consistent expectations, tools, processes, and best practices.
Facilitate Network Operations calls and serve as a senior operational resource to chapters and Network leaders.
Maintain organization-wide dashboards, KPIs, and operational metrics, including the chapter health dashboard.
Lead operational reporting for the Executive Team and Board committees as appropriate, and serve as Staff Lead for the Board Risk Management Committee.
Analyze organizational performance data to identify trends, risks, opportunities, and areas for improvement; translate findings into actionable recommendations.
Lead the organization-wide operational compliance framework, including calendars, documentation, monitoring, reporting, and accountability mechanisms.
Coordinate insurance administration, business continuity, emergency preparedness, workplace safety, and related risk-management activities.
Partner with Human Resources on Child Safety protocols, operational policies, onboarding, and screening requirements.
Partner across departments and with the CEO and Executive Team to turn organizational priorities into operational plans, timelines, resource requirements, and accountability measures.
Coordinate the administrative team to ensure consistent support, coverage, and business continuity.
Lead cross-functional problem-solving, process improvement, and change management initiatives, assessing operational impacts, risks, dependencies, and resource requirements.
Foster responsiveness, accountability, customer service, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
Lead operational procurement and vendor management with Finance and department leaders; monitor service delivery, contract compliance, performance, cost, and quality.
Partner with leadership and Finance to negotiate, execute, and manage operational contracts and identify cost-effective solutions.
Support the Building and Events Manager with building operations, including maintenance, security, facilities projects, and improvements.

Benefits

The organization pays 100% of employee medical premiums for two of its four health plans.
Employee dental and vision premiums.
Basic life insurance.
Short- and long-term disability coverage.
401(k) plan with company match of up to 4% of earnings contributed.
Flexible spending accounts.
Employee Assistance Program.
Three weeks of annual vacation during the first four years, increasing with length of service; first-year vacation is prorated.
Two weeks of annual sick time; first-year sick time is prorated.
11 paid holidays, including three floating holidays.
Portion of cell phone and/or internet reimbursement.
Up to $1,000 for employee development and wellness after the first year.