Director, Planning & Operations

OATS; Denver (CO); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Wish of a Lifetime from AARP (WOL) seeks a Director of Planning & Operations to partner with the Vice President and Executive Director, translating strategy into action across WOL and the broader AARP enterprise. You will drive cross-functional planning, resource alignment, and program execution to meet annual goals and KPIs, while advancing organizational effectiveness and growth.

In this hybrid, U.S.-based role, you will supervise an Operations Analyst, lead change management initiatives, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Nonprofit Management, Organizational Leadership, or a related field.
• 8+ years of progressive experience in business operations, strategic planning, program management, or organizational effectiveness within a nonprofit.
• Experience supporting senior leadership and serving as a trusted advisor, chief of staff, or business operations partner to organizational leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and drive execution of strategic priorities across multiple stakeholders and teams without direct authority.
• Strong financial acumen with experience in budget management, resource planning, and organizational performance accountability.
• Proven ability to develop operational processes, integrate capabilities across teams, and implement solutions that improve organizational effectiveness and scalability.
• Experience leveraging data, dashboards, and performance metrics to monitor progress, inform decisions, and support strategic growth objectives.

Responsibilities

• Develops, advises, supports, coordinates, and collaborates on special/high-level strategic projects across the department/organization. Organizes, problem solves, raises issues, and integrates initiatives, solutions, and actions for management.
• Serves as a liaison between individuals (members/non-members), community groups, and special interest groups, etc. Develops and manages program budgets. Monitors performance and recommends program changes.
• Provides advice and counsel to teams across the enterprise on the implementation of the organization’s advocacy, member/public engagement, volunteer management, and communications priorities at the state level.
• Identifies trends and resolves systemic issues across functions and ensures strong communication within a matrixed business environment.
• Plans, organizes, and implements assigned projects. Determines resources needed, tracks budgets, determines scope and execution, tracks progress towards milestones, establishes timelines, and evaluates progress.
• Develops and implements strategies for multi-state initiatives; plans and builds out scenarios in consultation with appropriate enterprise partners; gathers intelligence and conducts strategic analysis of trends across disciplines.

Job description

Overview

Wish of a Lifetime from AARP (WOL) believes everyone should age with hope and joy. With nearly 3,000 wishes granted to adults ages 65 and older, WOL has renewed and celebrated passions, reconnected loved ones, commemorated service, and fulfilled lifelong dreams. Through wish granting, recipients are able to connect with their past and tap into the elation that comes with doing something they never thought possible.

The Director, Planning & Operations serves as a strategic and operational partner to the Vice President & Executive Director, planning and driving the execution of organizational priorities across Wish of a Lifetime (WOL) and helping ensure the organization is positioned for continued growth, impact, and operational excellence. This role leads cross-functional planning, alignment, and implementation efforts, translating strategy into action while fostering collaboration, accountability, and effective communication to achieve annual goals, key performance indicators, and strategic priorities. Acting as a central connector within WOL and throughout the broader AARP enterprise, the Director plays a key role in organizational change management by facilitating difficult conversations, addressing conflict constructively, breaking down silos, and building alignment among diverse stakeholders to advance shared goals. The Director identifies opportunities to improve processes, integrate capabilities, leverage data and operational tools, and strengthen organizational effectiveness, while partnering closely with senior leadership to monitor performance, manage key business initiatives, and support expanded matrixed collaboration that enables the successful achievement of WOL's mission and strategic objectives. The role also directly oversees an Operations Analyst, providing leadership and direction to support operational excellence and the successful execution of organizational priorities.

Responsibilities

• Develops, advises, supports, coordinates, and collaborates on special/ high-level strategic projects across the department/organization. Organizes, problem solves, raises issues, and integrates initiatives, solutions, and actions for management. Acts as a liaison to resolve problems and to ensure successful implementation of organizational initiatives.
• Serves as a liaison between individuals (members/non-members), community groups, and special interest groups, etc. Develops and manages program budgets. Monitors performance and recommends program changes. Ensures program extensions align with business objectives.
• Provides advice and counsel to teams across the enterprise on the implementation of the organization’s advocacy, member/public engagement, volunteer management, and communications priorities at the state level. Executes strategies that support and integrate advocacy, outreach, communications, and volunteer engagement work across multiple business units.
• Identifies trends and resolves systemic issues across functions and ensures strong communication within a matrixed business environment. Assesses state needs and develops and implements training programs, as needed. Provides support with systems and processes. Identifies and recommends best practices and resources to achieve state office strategic goals.
• Plans, organizes, and implements assigned projects. Determines resources needed, tracks budgets, determines scope and execution, tracks progress towards milestones, establishes timelines, and evaluates progress. Establishes project communication plans and ensures internal/external stakeholders are informed regarding project processes and impact.
• Develops and implements strategies for multi-state initiatives; plans and builds out scenarios in consultation with appropriate enterprise partners; gathers intelligence and conducts strategic analysis of trends across disciplines.
• Serves as primary counsel to Senior Vice President and manages business operations across the unit.
• Ensures strong people management across team, monitoring and supporting employee engagement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Nonprofit Management, Organizational Leadership, or a related field and 8+ years of progressive experience in business operations, strategic planning, program management, or organizational effectiveness within a nonprofit, mission-driven, or complex matrixed organization. Experience supporting senior leadership and serving as a trusted advisor, chief of staff, or business operations partner to organizational leadership
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and drive execution of strategic priorities across multiple stakeholders and teams without direct authority. Exceptional relationship-building skills with the ability to influence, facilitate alignment, and navigate constructive conflict at all levels of an organization to aid in organizational change and alignment.
• Demonstrated experience leading organizational change initiatives and navigating ambiguity in evolving environments.
• Experience in non-profit growth-stage organizations.
• Strong financial acumen with experience in budget management, resource planning, and organizational performance accountability.
• Proven ability to develop operational processes, integrate capabilities across teams, and implement solutions that improve organizational effectiveness and scalability.
• Experience leveraging data, dashboards, and performance metrics to monitor progress, inform decisions, and support strategic growth objectives.

Preferred Qualifications

• Project Management certification (PMP, CAPM, or equivalent).

AARP will not sponsor an employment visa for this position at this time.

Additional Requirements

• Regular and reliable job attendance.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Exhibit respect and understanding of others to maintain professional relationships.
• Independent judgement in evaluation options to make sound decisions.
• In office/open office environment with the ability to work effectively surrounded by moderate noise.

AARP will not sponsor an employment visa for this position at this time.

Hybrid Work Environment

AARP observes Mondays and Fridays as remote workdays, except for essential functions. Remote work can only be done within the United States and its territories.

Compensation and Benefits

AARP offers a competitive compensation and benefits package including a 401(k); 100% company-funded pension plan; health, dental, and vision plans; life insurance; paid time off to include company and individual holidays, vacation, sick, caregiving, and parental leave; performance-based and peer-based recognition and tuition reimbursement.

Equal Employment Opportunity

AARP is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. AARP does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, color, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.