Director of Operations

Animal Welfare Institute; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer-paid health/dental/vision and

Disability insurance

Job summary

AWI seeks a Director of Operations in Washington, DC to ensure the smooth, efficient operation of budgeting, IT, facilities, and donor relations. You will lead teams and implement systems to support AWI’s mission in a fast-paced nonprofit setting.

The role requires a bachelor’s degree and 5–7 years of progressive nonprofit operations experience, with strong communication and leadership skills to balance internal controls with staff wellbeing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 5–7 years of progressive nonprofit operations/administration experience.
• Experience supervising staff and managing budgets.
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills.
• Familiarity with Microsoft 365 backend administration is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Oversee budgeting, accounting, payroll, and cash flow management.
• Lead IT and helpdesk support for core systems and devices.
• Maintain facilities, leases, and vendor relationships.
• Support donor relations, development efforts, and grant activities.
• Ensure compliance with relevant laws and best practices.

Skills

Nonprofit operations

Budgeting & finance

IT support

Leadership

Vendor management

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Microsoft 365

Job description

$ 95,000-$135,000 per year to start, plus generous benefits

Permanent, Full-Time | Washington, DC-Based

Bachelor’s Degree Required | 5-7 Years Experience Required

Expected Start: January 4, 2027

The Animal Welfare Institute—a DC-based national advocacy organization dedicated to alleviating animal suffering caused by people—seeks to hire a Director of Operations who shares our vision of a world where treatment of animals is rooted in dignity and compassion. https://awionline.org/about-us/

Why this position matters:

AWI is seeking a Director of Operations who can help ensure the smooth, effective, and efficient operation of our organization. Your responsibilities will include both management of others and hands‑on work focused on maintaining a well‑functioning, collaborative, and reliable working environment. The person who fills this important position must be passionate about AWI’s mission and committed to maintaining a healthy organizational culture where employees feel engaged, included, valued, and equipped to fulfill AWI’s mission, while maintaining the highest standards of professional conduct.

What you’ll be doing:

Budgeting and Finance

• Conduct or oversee accounting and payroll, including entering transactions, processing payments, and managing cash flow
• Prepare and track work streams against budgets
• Manage annual financial and workers compensation audits; prepare and file annual Form 990
• Serve as important liaison with investment advisors
• Manage state and federal lobbying registrations and reporting requirements

Technology Support

• Provide front‑line IT and helpdesk support for Office 365, Teams, Outlook, SharePoint, and related core systems
• Manage the phone system, laptop lifecycle, and new employee tech setup
• Maintain reliable access to hardware, software, and user accounts

Facilities & Physical Plant

• Manage building and grounds maintenance, office spaces, and equipment functionality
• Manage vendor services and office machine upkeep
• Ensure a safe, efficient, and well‑maintained workplace environment
• Manage tenant relationships, leases, and building‑use logistics for adjacent AWI‑owned property leased to others
• Monitor office supplies and publication inventory
• Fulfill publication orders and internal supply needs
• Manage production and shipping of conference materials
• Manage operational resources for the Board of Directors (e.g., storage/organization of board documents, distribution of board packets in advance of board meetings)
• Support board meetings and staff gatherings with A/V, logistics, and catering
• Facilitate virtual and in‑person meeting operations on request

Donor Relations & Development

• Assist with organization and maintenance of donor databases
• Assist with mail, calls, data entry, and visitor support
• Assist with donor relations and development efforts
• Assist with grant writing, giving programs, and bequest management

You could be our Director of Operations if you:

• Are highly organized, skilled at setting priorities in a fast‑paced environment, and work calmly under pressure
• Have excellent written and verbal communication skills, as well as interpersonal, problem‑solving and negotiation skills
• Are a team player, are comfortable in a behind‑the‑scenes role that is focused on supporting the organization, recognize the importance of back office operations, and take pride in providing administrative support to the organization
• Have at least 5-7 years of experience with increasing responsibility in office management, nonprofit administration/operations, logistics, or similar settings
• Have experience and expertise in managing accounting and auditing processes
• Have experience managing an organization’s internal IT operations, including coordinating with external technical support, and are proficient in Microsoft 365 back‑end administration and directly helping organization staff solve technological challenges
• Excel at time management, with a proven ability to meet deadlines with high‑quality work
• Possess excellent listening and problem‑solving skills and the ability to build trust by operating with empathy, consistency, and candor
• Are flexible, adaptable and able to work concurrently on multiple projects and implement direction and feedback from multiple people
• Are committed to principles of continuous learning and to finding creative and effective ways to fulfill your responsibilities and help others do the same
• Have experience in maintaining knowledge of relevant trends, applicable legal requirements, and new operational technologies, and in applying this knowledge to recommend changes in policy, practices, and resources as necessary to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations, as well as best practices
• Have strong supervisory and leadership skills with the ability to accurately complete detail‑oriented and data‑driven work
• Have experience creating environments in which people feel safe raising concerns, giving feedback, and asking hard questions
• Are committed to promoting a healthy work‑life balance to help ensure that everyone thrives in their work
• Possess at least a bachelor’s degree
• Are able to effectively use standard office hardware and software, including computers, keyboards, monitors, telephones, spreadsheets, video conferencing platforms, and Microsoft Office tools

It would be a plus, though not a requirement, if you have skills/experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Assisting with development and donor support efforts
• Managing insurance requirements, policies and coverage
• Managing travel policies and practices
• Overseeing implementation of grant programs

Job Location:

While there is flexibility to occasionally work from home, the Director of Operations is expected to work full‑time at AWI’s headquarters (located in a row of converted townhouses one block from the Eastern Market Metro Station on Capitol Hill, Washington, DC) on a regular basis.

Salary and Benefits:

The annual starting salary range is $95,000-$135,000. Salary is based on experience, qualifications, skills, and internal equity. The hiring range maximum is reserved for candidates with the highest qualifications and relevant experience. We offer an excellent benefits package, including:

• 100% employer‑paid medical, dental, vision, and disability insurance
• Generous paid time off that includes vacation, sick leave, personal days, and bereavement leave, plus paid holidays and parental leave
• 401(k) with employer match of 5% of employee’s salary
• Resources to attend conferences and professional development trainings
• Support for mental wellness, including CareFirst Wellness and an Employee Assistance Program
• A pet‑friendly DC office and on‑site parking or access to DC Metro SmartBenefits program

About AWI

As a member of the AWI team, you will join more than 35 highly motivated staff and consultants working in our headquarters in Washington, DC, and remotely across the United States and Canada. For 75 years, we have advanced our mission through strategically crafted policy and legal advocacy, educational programs, litigation, research, and engagement with policymakers, scientists, industry, educators, other NGOs, the media, and the public. We are a national nonprofit organization with international reach, dedicating more than 90% of our budget to programs and campaigns focused on protecting animals everywhere: in agriculture, in commerce, in our homes and communities, in research, and in the wild. AWI is committed to fostering a culture of inclusivity that embraces a variety of diverse perspectives and experiences where all employees can bring their best selves to work.

AWI is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity for all persons without regard to race, color, creed, sex, religion, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, personal appearance, marital or family status, or other status as protected by applicable federal, state, and local laws. We encourage applications from candidates whose identities have been historically under‑represented in the animal welfare community.