Operations Lead

Ethicist International; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 92,000 - 113,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and dental insurance

30 paid days off per year

Retirement benefits

Bonus and清

Job summary

Ethicist International seeks an Operations Lead in its Washington, DC office. You will shape and execute the Operations Strategy, align internal systems, and manage external partners to enable daily business activities.

Ideal candidates bring 10+ years in operations within professional services, strong IT and cybersecurity governance, and experience running cross-functional initiatives in a small, mission-driven team. Hybrid in-office schedule required three days per week.

Qualifications

• At least 10 years of directly relevant work experience, or a bachelor’s degree and at least 7 years of directly relevant work experience.
• One professional qualification related to operations earned/requalified within the past 5 years (e.g., GMP, IT service management, cybersecurity governance, HR operations).
• Ability to work in the United States and reside in the Washington, D.C. metro area or relocate by Q4 2026; three in-office days per week.
• Experience in mission-driven organizations and cross-functional environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead and implement Ethicist’s Operations Strategy, reporting to the CEO.
• Oversee internal systems, governance practices, and external vendor relationships.
• Manage IT infrastructure, cybersecurity governance, and digital workplace initiatives.
• Coordinate procurement, due diligence, negotiations, and risk management with vendors.
• Oversee tax, insurance, and organizational/employee integrity and compliance.
• Organize monthly staff meetings and annual retreats; support HR and communications.
• Support ELS and SWI teams on operations-heavy initiatives.

Skills

Operations leadership

Cross-functional

IT governance

Cybersecurity

Vendor management

Budget management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

Tools

Microsoft 365

Job description

At Ethicist International (“Ethicist”), we believe ethics-first organizations will shape the future and that our mission is to help guide the way. We advise industries, organizations, and leaders around the world at the nexus of ethics and policy, aiding them in earning andmaintainingthe trust necessary to succeed in the rising stakeholder economy.

Our work spans two complementary teams. Through our Ethical Leadership Strategies (“ELS”) team, we enable companies in designing and implementing customized and sustainable ethical leadership strategies, strengthening senior executive ethical decision-making, enhancing ethics and business integrity function capabilities, and deepening trust with internal and external stakeholders. Through our Sector-Wide Initiatives (“SWI”) team, we enable associations, governments, and multi-stakeholder initiatives in defining ethical standards, aligning practices across organizations and borders, and translating shared commitments into action and lasting impact.

Founded in 2023 and profitable since inception, Ethicist is a globally minded, high performing, and culturally warm organization with less than five employees.

Position Overview

Ethicist seeks an Operations Lead based in our Washington, D.C office. This individual will serve a central role in the next phase of Ethicist’s growth while evolving its operational profile from a “new” to “established” enterprise.

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Operations Lead is responsible for Ethicist’s Operations Strategy while ensuring the organization’s internal systems and external partners effectively enable daily business activities.

The Operations Lead will drive a diverse portfolio requiring careful daily prioritization and balanced deployment of their time and skillsets. This includes leading and improving Ethicist’s information technology architecture and performance, cybersecurity governance, external vendor relationships, office management, employee convenings, and other strategic initiatives that strengthen the organization.

Ideal candidates are quality systems builders, adept at advancing multiple and diverse priorities simultaneously, and who thrive in a mission driven, high trust, and accountable small team environment. This includes a personable, adaptive, and services-oriented leader, with Ethicist and their colleagues serving as the sole client. Excellent candidates achieve this through superb listening and continuous learning skills, so they are proactive and responsive to what their colleagues need to succeed. They know how to balance time dedicated to planning and execution. They move smart and fast, without waiting to be told what to do. But they also know how to collect the information that is needed within and outside the organization so their work is excellent and consistent.

Ideal candidates therefore exercise sound judgment, and can achieve success alone as well as in teams, as each circumstance requires. They know how to collaborate and influence their way to success. They are effective at bringing clarity, structure, calm, patience, and disciplined solutions to complex and unexpected operational needs.

Individuals who are driven to this opportunity and meet/exceed many (but not all) qualifications listed are still encouraged to apply, particularly if they see an otherwise exceptional fit. Ethicist seeks the very best candidates, including those whose experience and skillsets may not fit neatly within a box.

This position has an anticipated start date of 15 October 2026.

Responsibilities

• Lead and implement Ethicist’s Operations Strategy, reporting to the CEO.
• Lead execution and continuous improvement of Ethicist’s business operations and associated internal systems, policies, and governance practices.
• Lead Ethicist’s information technology infrastructure, digital workplace, technology adoption and utilization initiatives, and cybersecurity governance in coordination with managed service providers and other partners. Serve as the daily interface for Ethicist employees on these items.
• Lead lifecycle management of Ethicist’s diverse external vendors and partners, including procurement, due diligence, price negotiations, service agreements, risk management, performance assessment, and contingency planning.
• Lead several other business administration functions, including tax, insurance, and organizational / employee integrity and compliance.
• Lead organization of Ethicist’s monthly staff meetings and annual retreat, as well as periodic Ethicist employee gatherings.
• Support the CEO and colleagues in several other business administration functions, including external communications and human resources (i.e., employee policies and practices, recruitment, onboarding/offboarding, training, and time utilization), amongst others.
• Support the ELS and SWI teams on external and/or client-facing strategic initiatives with intensive operational components.

Qualifications

• At least 10 years of directly relevant work experience, or a bachelor’s degree and at least 7 years of directly relevant work experience. Strong candidates have obtained this experience in a B2B professional services organization.
• At least one professional qualification related to the field of operations earned and/or requalified within the past 5 years, including but not limited to a graduate degree; change management and organizational transformation; process improvement, operational excellence, or quality management; IT service management or technology operations; cybersecurity governance, privacy, or risk management; and human resources or people operations, amongst others.
• Ability to work in the United States and reside in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area or relocate by Q4 2026. Exceptional candidates may be eligible for a relocation stipend. This position requires three days in Ethicist’s office per week (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday). Candidates seeking a fully remote opportunity should not apply for this role.
• Demonstrated experience and interest in mission-driven organizations and teams.
• Demonstrated, measurable success in cross-functional responsibilities within a dynamic professional service, international, and/or small business environment.
• Demonstrated ability to succeed independently and in collaborative team settings.
• Demonstrated translation of broad strategy and operational goals into clear, measurable, and sustained solutions.
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and continuous improvement skills. Preferred candidates do not suffer (or redirect responsibility) through the same challenge more than once. Instead, they turn it into an opportunity to take ownership and resolve the challenge from happening again.
• Exceptional skills in organization, prioritization, and maintaining diversification in responsible workflows. Ideal candidates love the big picture and the little details.
• Strong familiarity with information technology and cybersecurity practices, including demonstrated experience in Microsoft 365 applications.
• Proven track record of leading complex organizational initiatives that have delivered measurable, sustainable results.
• Exceptional judgment and thoughtfulness, with the ability to maintain the highest standards of professionalism and discernment.
• Demonstrated success in operational budget and cost management.
• Demonstrated management experience or potential, as the Operations Lead may build an in-house team to advance non-outsourced operational needs.
• Ability to align their schedules to meet the needs of an international organization, including availability for urgent situations that arise and/or occasional meetings outside regular business hours, as well as the ability to travel domestically and internationally (approximately 5%).

Compensation and Benefits

• Starting annual base salary of $102,500
• Annual merit-based, profit-sharing bonus plus cost-of-living salary adjustment
• Health and dental insurance coverage
• Minimum of 30 paid days off per year, including holidays
• 40 hours of additional dedicated medical and sick leave per year
• Focus Fridays where no scheduled internal meetings are permitted
• Retirement benefits for full-time employees of at least six months
• Up to $3,000 per year in flexible professional development support to pursue desired skills-building opportunities
• Dedicated “in-office” to “remote” conversion days
• $500 per year Washington, D.C. public transportation stipend
• Unlimited access to onsite, modern fitness center
• Annual retreat week with colleagues, located internationally every two years
• Ethicist-paid carbon emissions offsets for all work travel
• Relocation financial stipend for exceptional new hires

Ethicist International is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. We do not tolerate discrimination based on these characteristics, or harassment at any time for any reason.