Director of Operations - Girls Who Invest
Employment Type: Full time
Location: New York City office, (Hybrid - in office 3 days per week)
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION:
Girls Who Invest (GWI) is a powerful community dedicated to transforming the investment management industry by attracting and advancing women investors, change-makers, and leaders.
GWI supports first- and second-year college students through tuition-free education programs, while also providing career advisory services, community-building initiatives, and lifelong alumni support. Our comprehensive approach focuses on fostering long-term professional development, retention and advancement.
The GWI community is made up of thousands of investors, industry leaders, supporters, and 130 Partner firms dedicated to advancing and retaining talent. At our core are over 3,200 GWI Alumni educated and trained in just 9 years, with more than 75% staying in the industry. To learn more, visit GirlsWhoInvest.org.
ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY:
The Director of Operations is a newly created position that plays a critical leadership role in ensuring the organization’s systems, infrastructure, and day-to-day operations run efficiently and strategically. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), this individual will oversee operations, information technology, facilities, compliance, vendor management, and administrative support, helping anticipate organizational needs, drive efficient execution and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
The Director will oversee a small team of operations staff, as well as all IT systems, office space, contracts, and vendors. They will play a key role in ensuring compliance across all functions and supporting the planning and execution of select organizational meetings and events. This is a highly visible and collaborative position, working across the Operations team and the entire organization to enable staff to focus on mission delivery.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Operational Leadership & Team Management:
Partner closely with the COO to oversee all aspects of operations, including regulatory matters, facilities, vendor management, IT, legal, and compliance.
Monitor and align project timing across all operational areas including HR and Finance, ensuring initiatives are strategically sound and advancing as planned.
Oversee and support the Operations Manager, ensuring efficient management of office space, equipment, and IT hardware.
Serve as the manager for the Executive Assistants who support the CEO, COO, and Head of Partnerships in addition to supporting the planning of Board and Advisory Board meetings and ongoing needs.
Partner closely with human resources and finance on the Operations team around cross functional initiatives such as annual planning, budgeting, and operational priorities.
Develop, implement, and refine operational policies, processes, and systems to strengthen organizational effectiveness and encourage continuous improvement.
Support preparation of operations-focused materials and updates for quarterly board meetings.
Ensure compliance with organizational policies, regulations, and contractual obligations; stay abreast of emerging compliance requirements.
Technology & Vendor Management:
Oversee all IT systems, infrastructure, and platforms across the organization, ensuring reliability, security, and efficiency.
Evaluate and manage relationships with IT vendors and consultants, making recommendations for improved service offerings and support.
Oversee the procurement process, improving efficiency where possible as well as negotiating and managing service contracts and external vendor agreements.
Proactively identify opportunities to improve technology tools and platforms; assess vendor performance, recommend new solutions when needed, and project manage any software or platform transitions.
Oversee all technology logistics for staff and organizational needs, including portable equipment (e.g., hot spots for team members on the road), system access, and hardware lifecycle management.
Lead the response to and resolution of any IT or data security issues, ensuring proper protocols and staff awareness.
Facilities & Meetings Operations Management:
Oversee the organization’s facilities and office space strategy, ensuring workspaces support team needs and growth.
Continuously evaluate office space options, researching availability, pricing, and suitability to align with organizational expansion and hybrid work models.
Manage external space rentals and facilities-related contracts to ensure cost-effective and high-quality arrangements.
Lead the operational planning and logistics for select organizational meetings and events, including staff retreats, board meetings, and partner gatherings.
Coordinate with the Partnerships team to secure partner spaces for events and meetings, maintaining a current database of available locations.
Oversee meeting logistics in collaboration with relevant team members across the organization including vendor coordination, catering, technology setup, name tags, load-in/load-out, and on-site needs to ensure a seamless experience.
Manage budgets and vendor contracts for facilities and meeting operations, ensuring cost efficiency and excellence in execution.
ABOUT THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE:
The ideal candidate will be a seasoned, proactive, strategic, and detail-oriented leader who thrives on keeping a complex organization running smoothly. The Director will be able to balance strategic vision with operational execution, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement. They will thrive in a fast-paced environment and be excited to work cross-functionally with people who are passionate about their work and mission.
A strong candidate would bring/be:
12+ years of progressive experience in operations, administration, or project management, preferably with a combination of investment management or for-profit and nonprofit or mission-driven experience.
A strategic thinker with strong execution and relationship building skills who is able to see the big picture, connect stakeholders, and drive progress across teams.
Proven experience overseeing IT systems, facilities, vendors, and compliance-related functions.
Exceptional organizational and project management skills, with the ability to juggle multiple priorities and complex logistics.
An understanding of additional operations areas such as human resources and finance in a nonprofit setting preferred.
Demonstrated experience managing contracts, negotiating vendor agreements, and overseeing budgets.
A proven people manager and team player who is collaborative, inclusive, highly organized, incredibly responsive, and willing to jump in where necessary.
Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills.
Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to anticipate challenges, identify solutions, and drive issues to resolution efficiently and collaboratively.
A deep understanding of Salesforce and PEO systems and functionality preferred.
Passion for GWI’s mission and community
GIRLS WHO INVEST’S PRINCIPLES:
Performance: Building investment teams to drive better outcomes and create meaningful impact
Innovation: Always innovating to create the best programs for our participants and partners to help individuals stay and thrive in an evolving investment landscape
Community: Accelerating careers through the power of community and connection
Respect: Ensuring all who interact with GWI encounter an inclusive, respectful environment that welcomes each other’s unique skills and perspectives
COMPENSATION: Current compensation range expected: $150,000-$180,000 per year. The starting pay will depend on a variety of factors that may include but are not limited to experience, education, training, and certification. GWI offers a strong and competitive benefits package.
TO APPLY: Please <<click here>> to apply with a resume and cover letter.
Girls Who Invest provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.