Director of Operations

Crawford Thomas Recruiting; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Crawford Thomas Recruiting is seeking an experienced Director of Operations to lead corporate operations across Finance, HR, Technology, Compliance, Administration, and Corporate Services in a dynamic professional services setting.

The ideal candidate will partner with senior executives to build scalable systems, define KPIs, and drive accountability while implementing processes that improve efficiency and control across departments.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in operations management, senior administration, COO-level leadership, or a similar role.
• Experience overseeing multiple functions, including Finance, HR, IT, Compliance, and Administration.
• Strong background in process improvement, organizational development, and operational infrastructure.
• Proven ability to create structure and scalable processes within a growing organization.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to set expectations and hold teams accountable.
• Excellent written communication skills with experience developing policies, procedures, and documentation.
• Ability to independently manage day-to-day operations while pairing with executive leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead corporate operations and support functions across the organization.
• Build and improve scalable processes, systems, and operational infrastructure.
• Establish KPIs, dashboards, and performance standards.
• Lead cross-functional projects and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Drive accountability across corporate departments.
• Oversee corporate records, filings, governance documentation, and certifications.
• Establish clear expectations and performance standards for corporate staff.
• Resolve operational issues and escalate strategic matters when appropriate.
• Oversee administrative functions and ensure consistent execution.
• Oversee operational compliance and support SEC/MSRB regulatory requirements.
• Manage insurance renewals and procurement.
• Monitor operational risks and firm-wide policy compliance.
• Oversee record retention policies and procedures.
• Partner with Finance leadership to oversee financial operations.
• Coordinate and manage the annual budgeting process.
• Oversee invoicing, accounts receivable, vendor administration, and operational spending.
• Review departmental budgets and operational investments.
• Support financial and project management system decisions.
• Provide leadership for HR, including hiring, onboarding, benefits, performance management, employee relations, and compensation administration.
• Ensure consistent enforcement of HR policies and procedures.
• Develop scalable HR systems to support organizational growth.

Job description

Targeting someone that has built and implemented processes-not merely supervised existing ones. Municipalities, housing authorities, local government or public sector background is needed. Exposure to municipal advisory/MSRB/ SEC Regulations.

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Director of Operations to lead corporate operations across Finance, Human Resources, Technology, Compliance, Administration, and Corporate Services.

This leadership role will partner closely with senior executives to turn strategic goals into scalable systems, efficient processes, and measurable results. The ideal candidate is a hands‑on leader who can build structure, improve operations, and drive accountability across multiple departments.

What You’ll Do

Operational Leadership

• Lead corporate operations and support functions across the organization.
• Build and improve scalable processes, systems, and operational infrastructure.
• Establish KPIs, dashboards, and performance standards.
• Lead cross-functional projects and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Drive accountability across corporate departments.

Administration & Corporate Governance

• Oversee corporate records, filings, registrations, governance documentation, and certifications.
• Establish clear expectations and performance standards for corporate staff.
• Resolve operational issues and escalate strategic matters when appropriate.
• Oversee administrative functions and ensure consistent execution.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Oversee operational compliance and support SEC/MSRB regulatory requirements.
• Manage insurance renewals and procurement.
• Monitor operational risks and firm‑wide policy compliance.
• Oversee record retention policies and procedures.

Financial Operations

• Partner with Finance leadership to oversee financial operations.
• Coordinate and manage the annual budgeting process.
• Oversee invoicing, accounts receivable, vendor administration, and operational spending.
• Review departmental budgets and operational investments.
• Support financial and project management system decisions.

Human Resources

• Provide leadership and oversight for the Human Resources function.
• Oversee hiring, onboarding, benefits, performance management, employee relations, and compensation administration.
• Ensure consistent enforcement of HR policies and procedures.
• Develop scalable HR systems to support organizational growth.
• Manage the relationship with the firm’s external IT service provider.
• Oversee software licensing, access management, equipment inventory, and technology governance.
• Maintain systems documentation and coordinate upgrades and integrations.
• Support technology and financial system improvements.
• Translate leadership decisions into clear, documented procedures.
• Ensure policies are consistently followed throughout the organization.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive policies and procedures manual.
• Identify gaps and implement processes that improve efficiency and accountability.

Business Operations Support

• Support contract administration and project budgeting.
• Oversee the RFP/proposal process in coordination with Business Development.
• Maintain visibility into the business development pipeline and prepare operations for new client engagements.

What We’re Looking For

• 7+ years of experience in operations management, senior administration, COO-level leadership, or a similar role.
• Experience overseeing multiple functions, including Finance, HR, IT, Compliance, and Administration.
• Strong background in process improvement, organizational development, and operational infrastructure.
• Proven ability to create structure and scalable processes within a growing organization.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to set expectations and hold teams accountable.
• Excellent written communication skills with experience developing policies, procedures, and documentation.
• Ability to independently manage day-to-day operations while partnering with executive leadership.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience within professional services, consulting, financial services, or another regulated environment.
• Background in government contracting, municipal finance, or a similar industry.
• Experience within a small to mid‑sized professional services organization.
• Familiarity with QuickBooks Online, Productive (PSA), or comparable financial/project management systems.
• SHRM-CP or equivalent HR certification is a plus.
• Meaningful hands‑on HR operations experience is highly valued.

Why Join?

This is an opportunity to take ownership of corporate operations within a growing professional services organization. You’ll play a key role in building systems, improving processes, developing teams, and creating the operational infrastructure needed to support continued growth.