Senior Director of Operations Strategy and Alignment

Position Summary : The Senior Director of Operations Strategy & Alignment serves as a key strategic partner to the Chief Operating Officer, driving the successful execution of cross-functional projects that strengthen the alignment between Operations, HR, and other network support departments. This role focuses on managing and / or overseeing critical special projects, monitoring departmental budgets, and ensuring coordination of strategic priorities across departments. The Senior Director also leads the design and facilitation of department-level retreats and provides direct operational support to the COO in implementing executive level next steps and network initiatives. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker and strong executor who thrives at the intersection of people, systems, and operations, someone who can move seamlessly between high-level planning and detailed implementation. This role will eventually include people management responsibilities as the function grows.

Duties and Responsibilities :

Essential Job Functions :

Strategic Project Management & Execution :

Lead and manage special projects and strategic initiatives that advance organizational goals and priorities across HR, Operations, and other departments.

Translate strategic objectives into clear work plans, deliverables, and timelines; ensure milestones are met.

Collaborate with department leaders to monitor progress on strategic initiatives and resolve bottlenecks.

Serve as project liaison for cross-departmental efforts such as systems integration, process redesign, or innovation pilots.

Develop and maintain a dashboard tracking the status and outcomes of strategic initiatives.

Budget and Vendor Oversight :

Oversee and monitor the departmental budget process for HR and Operations, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and fiscal discipline.

Oversee, manage, and optimize the vendor management system (VMS), ensuring efficient onboarding, contract management, and performance tracking of all vendors.

Partner with Finance and Procurement to streamline vendor and budget workflows and enhance transparency across departments. o Analyze spending trends, identify opportunities for savings or reinvestment, and develop recommendations for leadership.

Departmental Integration & Coordination :

Strengthen collaboration and communication between HR, Operations, and other network departments by developing systems for coordination and follow-through.

Support the COO in ensuring departments are aligned to shared priorities, deadlines, and outcomes.

Create and manage communication protocols, shared planning documents, and progress reporting structures across departments.

Facilitate problem-solving sessions and working groups to address emerging cross-functional issues.

Innovation and Expansion Initiatives :

Partner with senior leaders to design and implement innovation pilots and expansion projects that advance organizational efficiency, equity, and sustainability.

Support research and design of new operational or people systems that enhance productivity and staff experience.

Coordinate stakeholder engagement and communication for pilot programs or change initiatives.

Document lessons learned, codify best practices, and ensure replication across departments.

Executive-Level Coordination & Strategic Support :

Support the COO in executive-level planning, follow-up, and coordination across leadership teams.

Prepare materials, summaries, and communications for Chiefs, board updates, and cross-departmental meetings.

Track action items from executive and departmental meetings, ensuring timely completion and accountability.

Provide thought partnership to the COO on strategic planning, performance monitoring, and change management.

Departmental Retreats and Culture Building :

Design, plan, and coordinate department-level retreats that foster alignment, reflection, and team development.

Develop agendas, facilitation materials, and logistics for retreats in collaboration with department heads.

Ensure retreats integrate data, reflection, and strategy development aligned with annual goals.

Support ongoing culture-building efforts that strengthen collaboration and cross-team trust.

Qualifications :

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :

Strong organizational, analytical, and project management skills.

Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and workstreams simultaneously.

Deep understanding of systems design, process improvement, and operational efficiency.

Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.

High emotional intelligence and ability to build trust across diverse teams.

Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, project management tools (Asana, Smartsheet, etc.), and data dashboards.

Core Competencies :

Strategic systems thinker and disciplined executor P

Collaborative and relationship-oriented leader

Data-informed and detail-driven decision maker

Skilled facilitator and communicator

Adaptive, proactive, and solution-oriented mindset

Education and Experience :

Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.

7–10 years of progressively responsible experience in operations, HR, strategic planning, or project management.

Demonstrated success leading large-scale projects and cross-functional initiatives.

Experience in educational, nonprofit, or mission-driven environments strongly preferred

Other Requirements :

• Ability to physically perform the essential duties of the role as outlined above, and to work in the environmental conditions required, such as traveling to network campuses, monitoring and interacting with students, in-person facilitation of trainings, etc.;

This role may require frequent travel between multiple locations. Reliable transportation is essential to fulfill job responsibilities.

Salary and Bonus Information :

The Senior Director of Operations Strategy and Alignment at Mastery can expect a starting salary between $115,000 to $150,470, based on education and experience, with opportunities for growth as your career progresses. Each offer is made in alignment with Mastery’s compensation philosophy and commitment to pay equity, ensuring fairness and consistency across our team.