The Council on Strategic Risks (CSR), a nonprofit, nonpartisan security policy think tank based in Washington, DC, seeks to hire a full-time Director of Operations. This newly-created role will be key to the day-to-day operations necessary for CSR to achieve its mission. The person in this role will become a key part of CSR’s leadership team, working closely with the CEO as well as CSR’s Board, management team, and staff. See below for a full description of the position and qualifications required, and click here to apply.

Roles and Responsibilities

The operational responsibilities of this role will include assisting with:

• Contracts and invoicing
• Human resources
• Annual audits
• IT systems and security
• Oversight of grant management and reporting
• Board relations 
• Records management
• Remaining current on changes within the legal, regulatory, economic and technology environments that may affect CSR’s operations

The position will also include accounting, budgeting, and financial strategy responsibilities. CSR currently uses an external firm for accounting, bookkeeping, and payroll. The person filling this role will work with CSR’s CEO in management and oversight of such relationships. They will also work closely with the directors and deputy directors of each CSR center in managing project budgets and coordinating the master organizational budget. As the person grows in this role, they will help in financial analysis and developing long-term financial strategies as well.   

The person filling this role will also help shape how CSR continues its strong growth, expands, and institutionalizes its work as it enters its 5th year of operations. This may include:

• Helping to shape organizational strategy to optimize CSR’s progress toward its mission 
• Working with the CSR team to continue formalizing internal processes and improve them over time; and establish new processes and explore new tools to facilitate CSR operations 
• Evaluating CSR’s policies and internal controls to identify emerging needs and working with the CEO and Board to update them as the organization grows 
• Analyzing needs and opportunities related to staff recruitment, benefits, evaluation, and professional development
• Identifying opportunities and methods to assist CSR in meeting diversity and inclusivity goals

Qualifications

CSR will consider candidates with a range of relevant experiences and aims for this position to facilitate professional growth for the person who fills it. Successful candidates will be proactive, hands-on, and collaborative. Desired qualifications are:

• Minimum of a BA, with a related advanced degree or commensurate experience
• At least five years of experience in nonprofit operations and administration; or similar experiences in the public or private sectors with knowledge of nonprofit operations
• Proven analytical and implementation skills, and the ability to ensure cohesion across programs, operations, finance and fundraising, and human resources 
• Experience in working with external operational vendors, such as accountants, tax and legal advisors, benefits providers, etc.
• A successful track record in financial and/or grants management
• Knowledge of technology and information security trends relevant to nonprofits
• Problem-solving skills and demonstrated sound decision making
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
• Experience in maintaining confidentiality and discretion in information-sharing within organizations
• A strong executive presence and ability to interact with Board members
• Proficiency with cloud-based workspaces
• Passion for CSR’s mission of anticipating, analyzing, and addressing systemic risks to security in the 21st century 

CSR has a highly flexible work environment. Outside of specific meetings and events (when they may be conducted safely) remote working is our norm. CSR will evaluate applications on a rolling basis until the position is filled, so applying early is encouraged.

Apply for the Director of Operations position at this link. 

CSR is an equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate and will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the bases of race, color, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran’s status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, political affiliation, matriculation status, genetic disposition or carrier status, or any other category protected under applicable federal, state or local law.