Director, Operations

Teach For America; Phoenix (AZ); Hybrid; USD 68,000 - 89,000; Full time

Job summary

Teach For America in Phoenix is seeking a Director of Operations to lead regional budgeting, office operations, staff communications, and event planning. You will build scalable systems, ensure resources are available, and support teams to operate with excellence.

This hybrid role requires strong organizational and communication skills, with in-office presence on Tuesdays and Thursdays and occasional weekend events.

Qualifications

• Requires strong operations, coordination, or project execution experience.
• Ability to balance multiple workstreams within clear timelines and expectations.
• Clear, timely, and professional communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead regional operational systems to support Phoenix programs.
• Manage budgeting, forecasting, expense tracking, and financial reporting.
• Oversee Phoenix office operations, vendor relationships, and facilities needs.
• Coordinate hybrid work practices and staff onboarding for regional teams.
• Plan and execute major regional events and staff gatherings.

Skills

Strong organizational skills

Excellent communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Tools

Excel/Google Sheets

Power BI

Job description

ROLE TITLE: Director, Operations (Full-Time)

POSITION REPORTS TO: Sariah Winn, Senior Managing Director, Strategy & Program

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Friday, November 20, 2026

LOCATION: Phoenix, AZ

WHAT YOU’LL DO

We are looking for someone who is passionate about Teach For America’s mission, the Phoenix community, and particularly leading the daily operations that enable our team to operate with excellence. As Director of Operations, you will be responsible for delivering high‑quality operations that enable programs across the team to run smoothly and on schedule. You will manage key operational functions including budgeting, office operations, staff communications, event management, and regional project management. Through strong planning, organization, and execution, you will help ensure that our team has the systems, resources, and operational support necessary to achieve our ambitious goals. You will also be a key culture builder, ensuring that staff and participants feel connected to our Teach For America community. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys bringing order to complexity, building systems that improve team effectiveness, and ensuring that important details never fall through the cracks. The successful candidate is highly organized, an excellent communicator, understands operations' role in culture, proactively identifies needs, and operates with a strong sense of ownership. This position follows a hybrid work schedule and requires in‑office presence on Tuesdays and Thursdays and other weekdays as identified. The Director, Operations should be available to work 3-4 weekend days each year for events and have the ability to be present at school sites daily during our summer training in June.

WHAT YOU’LL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR

Regional Operations, Finance & Compliance (30%)

• Lead and continuously improve operational systems that support the success of the Phoenix region.
• Manage regional budgeting, forecasting, expense tracking, and financial reporting.
• Monitor spending and ensure strong stewardship of regional resources.
• Ensure compliance with organizational policies, procedures, and reporting requirements.
• Develop and improve systems, processes, and workflows that increase organizational effectiveness.
• Anticipate operational risks and implement solutions proactively.

Office Management & Team Operations (25%)

• Serve as the primary owner of the Phoenix office experience.
• Maintain an organized, welcoming, and efficient office environment.
• Ensure office supplies, equipment, technology, and shared workspaces are fully operational and well‑stocked.
• Coordinate vendor relationships, facilities needs, and office logistics.
• Support hybrid ways of working while maintaining a strong team experience.
• Manage operational needs related to staff onboarding, meetings, and regional gatherings.
• Serve as the Phoenix office liaison for Helios and national Teach For America teams.

Internal Communications & Team Coordination (15%)

• Ensure team members receive timely, clear, and actionable information.
• Lead planning and facilitation of team meetings.
• Draft and distribute regional communications, announcements, and operational updates.
• Coordinate communication of organizational policies, deadlines, and requirements.
• Develop systems for organizing and sharing information across teams.
• Partner with regional leaders to maintain alignment and accountability.

Event Planning & Execution (20%)

• Lead operational planning and execution for major regional events.
• Major events include: Summer training, Alumni induction, Holiday Party, Staff retreats.
• Responsibilities include:
  • Project planning and timeline management
  • Budget management
  • Vendor coordination
  • Event logistics
  • Stakeholder communication
  • Day‑of‑event execution

Special Projects & Project Management (10%)

• Lead cross‑functional projects that advance regional priorities.
• Build project plans and implementation timelines.
• Coordinate stakeholders and manage deliverables.
• Track progress, identify risks, and ensure accountability.
• Maintain strong systems for documentation and follow‑through.
• Manage multiple priorities simultaneously while meeting deadlines.

A WEEK IN THE LIFE

• Lead the regional team meeting and communicate key organizational updates.
• Review expenses and budget projections to ensure strong stewardship of resources.
• Coordinate office needs and create an environment where staff can do their best work.
• Manage timelines and logistics for an upcoming regional event.
• Build project plans and monitor progress against key milestones.
• Partner with team members to solve operational challenges and improve existing processes.
• Coordinate communications that keep the team informed, aligned, and accountable.
• Ensure operational details are executed with excellence so that regional leaders can remain focused on advancing outcomes for students and communities.

YOUR EXPERIENCE

Your areas of knowledge and expertise that matter most for this role (minimum qualifications):

Work Demands

• Ability to frequently conduct meetings both in‑person and virtually.
• Ability and willingness to work evening hours and occasional weekends required.

Essential Skills

• Relevant operations, coordination, or project execution experience.
• Strong organizational skills and a demonstrated ability to manage work systematically.
• Ability to balance multiple workstreams within clear timelines and expectations.
• Clear, timely, and professional communication skills.
• Basic data fluency, including accurate use of Excel or Google Sheets and ability to use Power BI effectively.
• Experience on Growth and/or Programs teams strongly preferred.

Education

Bachelor’s Degree required

Bonus (preferred qualifications)

• Prior experience.
• Alumni of Teach For America corps program and/or staff preferred.
• Experience living or working in the Phoenix area, preferably in the education sector.
• 5+ years of professional experience in operations, project management, administration, event management, nonprofit management, or a related field.

Bonus Skills

• Ability to build strong relationships with others in challenging situations.
• Ability to think big, generate ideas, and implement solutions to complex problems.
• Exceptional ability to build and execute a project plan.

YOUR FUTURE TEAM

This role will sit on the Teach For America Phoenix core team and report directly to the Senior Managing Director, Strategy & Program. Together with schools and partners across the community, the Phoenix team works hard every day towards our ambitious goal to double the number of students enrolling in post‑secondary education in the communities we serve. To reach this goal by 2030, we need a core team of leaders committed to each other, the Teach For America Phoenix network, educational equity, and most of all the students whose lives we hope to make a difference in. While this team is responsible for local impact and accountable to the communities we serve across Phoenix, we are also privileged and proud to partner with many teams across the broader Teach For America enterprise, all committed to pursuing equity for children across our country.

YOUR COMPENSATION

The applicable salary range for each U.S.-based role is based on where the employee works and is aligned to one of 3 tiers according to a cost‑of‑labor index in that geographic area. Starting pay for the successful applicant will depend on a variety of job‑related factors, which may include education, training, experience, location, business needs, or market demands. New hires are typically brought into the organization at a salary between the minimum and the salary range, depending on qualifications, internal equity, and the budgeted amount for the role. The expected salary ranges for this role are set forth below. These ranges may be modified in the future.

Tier A: $67,500 - $88,600

You can view which tier applies to where you plan to work here. If your location is not listed, please click here for additional Total Rewards information. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or right out of college, chances are Teach For America has a staff role to fit your aspirations and career goals. Many of our employees are themselves TFA alumni, while others are new to the organization. Staff positions are available across the country. You can find full‑time positions, or seasonal positions with our recruiting team and summer training programs. And, as a partner of Employers of National Service, we welcome candidates from AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, City Year, and other volunteer programs.

Teach For America is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, parental status, genetic information or characteristics (or those of a family member) or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. *Our job descriptions reflect Teach For America’s assignment of essential functions and qualifications of the role. Nothing herein restricts management's right to assign, reassign or eliminate duties and responsibilities to this role at any time.