Senior Director, Operations

The Senior Director, Operations will provide enterprise-wide leadership to Opportunity International’s legal, risk, compliance, program management, security, and data governance functions. This role is a key leadership role, responsible for ensuring the organization's operational integrity, sustainability, and alignment with its global mission in often challenging and dynamic environments. This is a two-year, fixed-term position. 
 
Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, this individual will implement an operating model change to adapt to the new global realities. Working in a fast-paced, matrix environment, the Senior Director will organize cross-functional teams to drive operational excellence, ethical conduct, and risk mitigation across our global footprint.  

The ideal candidate is a seasoned leader with a minimum of 15 years of progressive experience, demonstrating a passion for change management and a robust understanding of INGO multi-country operations, donor compliance, and crisis management. The Senior Director will serve as a key executive advisor, ensuring enterprise-level strategy is effectively translated into coordinated action across all operational areas, fostering a culture of accountability and agility. 

Compensation range: $150,000 -$190,000 Annually 

RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned. 

Program Management  

• Provide program management for strategic initiatives that translate organizational strategy into effective program execution across departments and country offices. 
• Guide the global program management function to ensure consistent application of best practices, process standardization, and accountability for outcomes. 
• Work with program managers to proactively resolve critical issues and risks related to program execution, managing all operational, IT, and compliance dependencies. 
• Ensure seamless program delivery by fostering alignment and strong communication between business development, program teams and key internal stakeholders.  

Data Governance and IT 

• Provide strategic direction for the organization's global IT infrastructure and data strategy, ensuring technology supports the mission and operational needs. 
• Establish and enforce an enterprise-wide data governance framework covering policies, standards, and practices for data quality, security, and privacy. 
• Develop and enforce IT policies related to acceptable use, data retention, disaster recovery, restricted countries, and cybersecurity to ensure regulatory compliance (e.g., GDPR). 
• Oversee data management processes to ensure the accuracy, quality, and consistency of data for reporting, fundraising, and programmatic decision-making. 

Country Operations and Field Support 

• Partner with Country Directors to oversee and enhance the effectiveness and infrastructure of field offices, ensuring operations align with global standards while adapting to local contexts. 
• Serve as the primary point of contact and subject matter expert for operational backstopping to Country Directors and their teams, helping them navigate challenges and scale impact. 
• Lead new country office setups and the compliant closure of operations when necessary. 
• Serve as a key member in the design and implementation of our Localization initiative. 
• Conduct field audits and reviews, identifying, aggregating, and disseminating best practices and local adaptations.  

Global Security 

• Direct and implement the organization's global security strategy, maintaining clear policies and procedures to ensure the safety and security of all personnel, assets, and programs.  
• Lead the organization's response to security incidents and crisis situations, including the execution of the Crisis Management Plan. 
• Develop and deliver security awareness training programs for staff, partners, and volunteers. 
• Identify the optimal organizational structure for ensuring global security through internal representatives and/or external vendors.  

Legal, Risk, and Compliance Management