About the Role
Summary:
The Operations Director (OD) is a key member of the leadership team at Paws and Stripes. The OD is responsible for overseeing and ensuring the effectiveness of the organization’s daily operations, including finance, human resources, facilities, and systems management. This role works closely with the Executive Director (ED) and other leaders to implement the strategic plan, maintain operational excellence, and promote a culture of efficiency, compliance, and collaboration across departments. The position reports directly to the Executive Director.
Requirements
Key Accountabilities
1) Provides Oversight of Finances, Record Keeping, and Administration
Measures of Success
A. Works with the ED and contracted accountant to maintain functional knowledge of departmental spending and develop, monitor, and manage annual budgets.
B. In partnership with outside accounting firm, ensures timely, accurate financial reporting and recordkeeping in compliance with GAAP.
C. Oversees operational spending, cost-saving measures, and audit preparation.
D. Maintains strong internal controls and ensures all fiscal processes are consistent and efficient.
E. Upload bill payments, purchase requests, and monthly reconciliations of bank and credit accounts.
F. Establish timelines and expectations related to delivery of service, file storage and upkeep, audit prep, and communication.
2) Human Resources and Organizational Culture
Measures of Success
A. Attend and participate in all Leadership Team meetings, retreats, and trainings.
B. Plan and schedule Supervisor Trainings with the assistance of 3rd party support at POMS & Associates.
C. Oversees HR compliance, policies, and practices in line with state and federal law.
D. Evaluate, update, and create policies and procedures to aid in efficiency, compliance, and to ensure clearly expressed expectations of operational activities and duties.
E. Supports recruitment, onboarding, and performance management processes.
F. Coordinates staff engagement, satisfaction, and training initiatives to create and maintain strong relationships between departments and cultivate shared efforts and teamwork.
G. Champions organizational culture that fosters communication, collaboration, and accountability.
3) Assist with development of business and operational plans tied to strategic planning
Measures of Success
A. Implement business and operational portions of the annual strategic plan.
B. Create procedures responsive to emergent needs of the strategic plan.
C. Attend Board meetings and stay apprised of governance deliberations to stand in monthly and ad hoc meetings in the ED’s absence.
D. Serve as a member of the Executive and Finance committees, and ad hoc committees as needed.
4) Operations and Facilities Management
Measures of Success
A. Ensures safe, efficient, and compliant management of facilities, equipment, IT systems, and vendor contracts.
B. Maintains up-to-date operational policies, procedures, and records.
C. Anticipates and resolves operational challenges to ensure smooth organizational functionality.
D. Oversees security and risk management, ensuring safety standards are consistently met.
E. Review all administrative and operational file storage (SharePoint), archive obsolete documents, and identify gaps.
5) Provides Supervision to Operations roles as well as Leadership and Team Collaboration in the organization
Measures of Success
A. Supervises operations/admin staff, ensuring goals and responsibilities are met effectively.
B. Establish work plans, track progress and performance, conduct regular meetings and check-ins, and provide guidance as necessary.
C. Ensure fundamental aspects of direct reports’ jobs are completed correctly, timely, and contribute to functional operations.
D. Promotes collaboration across departments to prevent silos and strengthen teamwork.
E. Serves as a key leader in organizational planning, execution of the strategic plan, and problem-solving.
F. Provides leadership coverage and organizational oversight in the ED’s absence.
G. Ensure compliance with organization policies and procedures, including those for safety, security, and legal accountability to all staff.
H. Collaborate with Leadership to ensure employee satisfaction and engagement surveys are conducted and evaluate results.
6) Support the organization as needed
Measures of Success:
A. Maintain director-level oversight and maintenance of certain operating accounts such as for accounting, facility security, personnel, and human resources, etc.
B. Engage in day-to-day leadership and management, including problem solving, guidance, and decision-making as appropriate.
C. Assist with ED with tasks and projects as needed.
D. Assist with and guide operational staff in supporting major annual events.
E. Other duties as assigned
Professional Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, business administration, public administration, or related field OR a minimum of 5 years of management experience in nonprofit operations, administration, or a related field.
Demonstrated leadership experience overseeing organizational systems (finance, HR, facilities, compliance) with responsibility for staff supervision and budget management.
Strong skills in organizational management, including budget preparation and financial oversight, HR practices, and process improvement.
Ability to lead and supervise staff in a collaborative, transparent manner.
Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.
Ability to balance strategic thinking with attention to operational details.
Experience with technology (macbook set up, IT support, troubleshooting)
This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position. Opportunities for advancement and wage increases are based on successful annual evaluations and job performance. The physical requirements and work environment described in this job description are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they are able to perform every task in the job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who come from a less traditional background. Paws and Stripes will consider any equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.
Paws and Stripes is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants are considered for positions without regard to veteran status, uniformed service member status, race, creed, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, national origin, marital status, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, caregiver status, or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.
Employment is subject to a pre-employment background investigation and is conditional pending results.
About the Company
Paws and Stripes is an equal opportunity employer whose mission is to provide animal-assisted therapy and other mental health services to military veterans and their loved ones living with service-connected trauma.
Paws and Stripes offers unique and extensive approaches that set us apart from other organizations focusing on the same or similar populations.
Paws and Stripes helps New Mexico veterans reintegrate into civilian roles and develop meaningful missions and goals within their lives as veterans. Focusing on catered mental health support, therapeutic services, and service dog training, Veterans enrolled in our programs are given the opportunity to learn life skills to create increased self-awareness in their environments and provide the insight necessary to deal with everyday civilian anxieties such as finances, career challenges, caring for children and maintaining a healthy marriage.