Operations Manager, Finance

Who we are:

The Vera Institute of Justice is powered by hundreds of advocates, researchers, and policy experts working to transform the criminal legal and immigration systems until they’re fair for all. Founded in 1961 to advocate for alternatives to money bail in New York City, Vera is now a national organization that partners with impacted communities and government leaders for change. We develop just, antiracist solutions so that money doesn’t determine freedom; fewer people are in jails, prisons, and immigration detention; and everyone is treated with dignity. For more information, visit vera.org.

Vera has a staff of 216 people, is headquartered in Brooklyn, New York and has offices in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, and New Orleans. We are an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity in the workplace. We expect our staff to embody respect, independence, collaboration, commitment, anti-racism, and equity—both in our outward-facing work and the internal culture of our workplace. We value a range of experiences in people’s educational backgrounds and encourage people who have been directly impacted by the criminal justice system to apply.

About the team:

We are seeking a highly organized, proactive, and strategic Operations Manager to serve as a Level 1 Chief of Staff to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO). This role is central to driving operational excellence and executive effectiveness across finance and technology functions. The Operations Manager will coordinate high-level internal and external communications, manage signature cross-functional initiatives—including AI infrastructure development, IT security enhancements, and enterprise risk management—and support the CFO in preparing for board committee engagements. Acting as a strategic connector, the Operations Manager will ensure alignment across departments, proactively identify opportunities for improvement, and represent the CFO’s office in enterprise-wide forums and working groups.

About the role:

Executive Support & Coordination 

• Act as a strategic thought partner to the CFO, ensuring alignment across finance, technology, and enterprise-wide initiatives.
• Coordinate and streamline communication between CFO and internal teams, external partners, and key stakeholders, including vendors, consultants, and regulatory bodies.
• Prepare briefing materials, talking points, and strategic updates for executive meetings, including Board Committee sessions. 

Operational Oversight 

• Manage day-to-day operations of the CFO office, including calendar management, meeting coordination, internal communications, and travel coordination as needed.
• Schedule, organize, and prepare for meetings to maximize productivity and collaboration on key work products.
• Develop and maintain internal resources to facilitate collaboration.
• Support budget planning, tracking, and reporting processes in collaboration with Finance and IT teams.
• Monitor and improve internal workflows, identifying opportunities for increased efficiency and effectiveness.

Signature Projects & Initiative Management 

• Lead and manage signature cross-functional projects throughout the fiscal year, including the annual budget planning cycle, technology transformation efforts (AI), and enterprise risk management initiatives.
• Support the CFO in preparing for quarterly board committee meetings, including crafting narratives, coordinating stakeholder input, and managing follow-ups.
• Drive execution of high-impact initiatives such as AI infrastructure development, IT security enhancements, and financial systems modernization.

Stakeholder Engagement 

• Facilitate regular check-ins and strategic planning sessions with senior leaders across Finance, IT, Development, Program Initiatives, and other departments.
• Ensure consistent messaging and alignment across internal and external communications.
• Represent the CFO’s office in enterprise-wide forums and working groups.

Other Duties as Assigned

What qualifications are we looking for?

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance, information sys