Senior Director, Strategy and Operations

NFL Players Association•Washington, DC

22h•$265,000 - $300,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Director, Strategy and Operations is a key member of the Player Affairs leadership team, reporting to the Chief Player Affairs Officer (CPAO). This role helps drive alignment, integration, and execution across Benefits, Former Players, the Gene Upshaw Player Assistance Fund, and Player Affairs. Working closely with leadership across the organization, this role helps ensure that programs, resources, and operational practices are responsive to player needs, aligned with organizational priorities, and positioned to create meaningful impact throughout a player’s career and beyond. The Senior Director, Strategy and Operations serves as a senior member of the Player Affairs leadership team, leading strategic planning, operational integration, performance management, and organizational effectiveness across the department. Reporting to the CPAO, this role oversees the Programs function and works closely with leaders across Wellness, Benefits, Former Players, the Gene Upshaw Player Assistance Fund, and Player Affairs to align priorities, enhance collaboration, and strengthen the delivery of programs and services to players. The role is responsible for driving cross-functional initiatives, establishing data-driven decision-making processes, overseeing departmental planning and resource allocation, and ensuring strategic priorities translate into measurable outcomes. As a trusted advisor to the CPAO, the Senior Director helps guide complex decisions, strengthen accountability, and foster collaboration across the Player Affairs portfolio. This role requires a strategic and operational leader who can connect vision to execution, build strong relationships across teams, and continuously improve how the NFLPA serves players throughout their careers and beyond. This position is based in Washington, DC.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required
10+ years of progressive leadership experience in strategy, operations, program management, business administration, nonprofit management, sports administration, or related fields.
Proven experience leading complex, cross-functional initiatives and driving organizational change in multi-stakeholder environments.
Demonstrated success translating strategic priorities into measurable outcomes and operational execution.
Experience developing performance metrics, reporting frameworks, dashboards, and business analytics.
Experience overseeing budgets, forecasting, resource allocation, and operational planning.
Strong background in program design, implementation, and continuous improvement.
Experience managing external partnerships, vendors, sponsors, and service providers.
Proven ability to build alignment and influence outcomes across departments and levels of leadership.
Exceptional judgment, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Demonstrated commitment to service, collaboration, and mission-driven work.

Nice To Haves

advanced degree in business administration, public administration, nonprofit management, organizational leadership, or a related field preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership and oversight for the NFLPA's Programs function.
Drive operational alignment across Wellness, Benefits, Former Players, the Gene Upshaw Player Assistance Fund, and Player Affairs, ensuring services are delivered effectively, efficiently and consistently.
Identify and implement opportunities to improve coordination, service delivery, and the overall player experience.
Ensure player-facing programs and services operate as a cohesive, integrated portfolio.
Lead the development and execution of strategic priorities across the active and former player portfolio in partnership with department leadership.
Develop and maintain performance measurement frameworks, dashboards, and reporting tools to evaluate program effectiveness, business impact, and return on investment.
Partner with IT, Finance, and department leaders to strengthen data analytics, operational reporting, and decision-making capabilities.
Facilitate strategic planning sessions across Player Affairs functions to align priorities, measure progress, and drive achievement of departmental objectives.
Lead budgeting, forecasting, and resource allocation processes across the department.
Assess outcomes, identify trends, and recommend improvements to programs, services, operations, and investments.
Identify emerging player needs and opportunities to strengthen existing programs and services.
Lead the development and implementation of new programs, initiatives, and service offerings.
Ensure programs remain relevant, accessible, and impactful throughout a player’s career and beyond.
Promote innovation, continuous improvement, and operational excellence across the Player Affairs portfolio.
Build and maintain effective relationships with external partners, sponsors, service providers and affiliated organizations.
Represent the NFLPA in program-related discussions, partnerships, and collaborative initiatives.
Serve as a liaison to the Trust, Mackey-White Committee, and Player Assistance Fund Boards, as needed.
Ensure partnerships and stakeholder relationships advance organizational priorities and deliver meaningful value to players.
Serve as a trusted advisor to the CPAO on sensitive player-affairs matters, providing balanced recommendations, sound judgment, and discretion.
Lead, develop, and mentor the Programs, Data Analytics, and Operations team members.
Drive accountability and resolution of complex issues by establishing clear ownership, timelines, follow-up actions, and escalation pathways.
Foster a culture of professionalism, collaboration, empathy, accountability, and respect.
Promote effective communication and alignment across teams and stakeholders.
Model the values and leadership behaviors that strengthen the NFLPA’s service to active and former players.