Director, Operations, Office of Finance and Operations

Job Location: Atlantic Council Headquarters – Washington, DC
Employment Type: Full-Time
Seniority Level: Director
Job Category: Staff

Overview

The Office of Finance and Operations (OFO) serves the 16 programs and centers of the Atlantic Council. Operational efficiency within OFO is critical to the success of the Council and the Director, Operations will play an integral role to help us achieve our goal of delivering exceptional service to our colleagues to support the work they do to around the work with our partners and allies to shape the global future.

The Atlantic Council seeks an organized, entrepreneurial, and motivated professional to manage a variety of workstreams to ensure that the internal operations of the organization run at peak efficiency. The Director will work directly with the Chief Operating Officer (COO) in overseeing a range of functions including operations, information technology (IT), physical and cyber security, and facilities and building management, interacting closely with the programs and centers across the Council to deliver on day-to-day processes.

A successful candidate will have the ability to problem solve, work well in a team, and communicate effectively and often. The candidate should be prepared to work in a fluid, driven work environment, and should possess a strong record of organization, reliability, creative thinking, attention to detail, and prioritization.

This position is based onsite in our Washington, DC headquarters. Pay is commensurate with experience, education, and organizational equity, with offers starting at $130,000. Applications submitted by April 26, 2024 will be prioritized for consideration.

Job Responsibilities

• Build, implement, and maintain systems, policies, and procedures that elevate service and support to all internal and external stakeholders.
• Communicate and explain new directives, policies, or procedures; Work with the Deputy Director, Office of Finance and Operations to develop trainings, guides, and support materials.
• Supervise the Facility and Office Manager and the Receptionist.
• Maintain all organizational insurance policies, working closely with brokers to ensure coverage for the organization,  events, and travel.
• Working closely with the Deputy Director, Office of Finance and Operations, manage the operational, security, IT budget within OFO, creating the annual budget, reforecasting throughout the year, and performing monthly reconciliations to ensure budget to actual spending is on track.
• Think creatively and work with programs and centers to identify areas for improvement within the services provided to the Council.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

New Office Buildout and Move

• Lead on construction and occupation plans for Council’s new global headquarters, working closely with real estate brokers, architects, general contractors, and a wide range of vendors to ensure the timely and on-budget completion of the project.
• Manage the office move and change management for the Council’s 300+ full-time employees. Please note that this project is in the final months, and will require quick learning to adapt to the timeline of the buildout and move.

Facility Management

• Liaise with building management and security, proactively leading on maintenance, facilities, electrical, access and security issues to ensure that the working environment for our employees and guests is safe and comfortable.
• Oversee the maintenance and management of all facilities and systems, including but not limited to mechanical, electrical, fire/life safety, plumbing, waste management, and sustainability.
• Verify that all facilities are managed in compliance with codes, ordinances, regulations, laws, and other requirements.

Physical Security

• Direct planning for physical security operations and activities throughout the organization including physical security, incident management, threat assessments and mitigation, risk identification/support, and awareness programs.
• Develop strategic relationships and act as liaison between the Council, law enforcement agencies, building/venue security, and private contractors.  Act as an advocate on behalf of the Council to educate law enforcement of Council’s interests.
• Serve as liaison to the Security Committee of the Board of Directors, managing quarterly agendas and strategic planning of the committee. Drive mission to ensure safety, security, and well-being of staff and visitors as well as cyber and physical assets.

Information Technology

• Provide leadership to IT Managed Services Provider, serving as internal manager of the Council’s outsourced IT function.
• Develop and manage technological infrastructure, including organizational information systems, IT support, software applications, and other systems.
• Implement and maintain critical IT systems, including ensuring system security and disaster recovery systems are in place.
• Develop IT policies to support organizational goals; motivate employees and oversee department initiatives.
• Identify new technologies and opportunities to improve systems and processes.

Cybersecurity (in collaboration with contracted vCISO and security team)

• Build a strategic and comprehensive information security program that defines, develops, maintains and implements policies and processes that enable consistent, effective information security practices which minimize risk and ensure the integrity, confidentiality and availability of information that is owned, controlled and processed within the organization. Ensures information security policies, standards, and procedures are up-to-date.
• Continuously evaluate and manage the Council’s cyber and technology risk posture.
• Oversee, develop and deliver initial and ongoing security training to the workforce. Initiate, facilitate, and promote activities to foster information security awareness within the organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant field required.
• 10-15 years of relevant operations and facilities experience.
• Experience managing a major office move.
• Excellent organizational, time management, and project management skills, including ability to identify, balance, and rapidly shift priorities as needed.
• Positive, flexible, get-it-done attitude.
• Ability to make sound judgments, assume responsibility, and work proactively and independently in a fluid environment with tight deadlines and competing priorities.
• Excellent writing and communication skills and ability to write and edit under tight timelines.
• Strong interpersonal skills appropriate for operating effectively in a multicultural, international team environment.
• Data-driven, detail-oriented, self-starter, and an excellent problem solver.
• Advanced computer skills using MS Office products, including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and SharePoint, and ability to quickly learn new software and platforms.
• Experience working with a non-profit or international organization preferred.