Operations Leader, Strategy & Finance (Remote, CA)

caltog; California (MO); On-site; USD 140,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Californians Together is seeking an Operations Director to lead core operational functions, strengthen internal infrastructure, and support long-term sustainability. This role reports to the Executive Director and oversees finance, HR, administration, compliance, and systems.

As a senior leader, you will manage internal and external partners, guide payroll and benefits, drive policy implementation, and ensure scalable processes while maintaining a focus on equity and mission-aligned leadership.

Qualifications

• 8-10+ years of progressive leadership experience in operations, finance, administration, or people operations.
• Demonstrated success overseeing finance and HR functions, including budget management, financial reporting, compliance, and people systems.
• Experience managing outsourced service providers (accounting, payroll, PEOs, HR consultants, auditors, or legal).
• Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, internal controls, and interpreting financial statements.
• Strong knowledge of HR operations and employment compliance, with oversight of systems even when transactional functions are outsourced.
• Proven ability to design and improve systems in a growing or evolving organization.
• Excellent project management and decision-making skills.
• Strong communication skills and ability to translate operational and financial information for non-operational stakeholders.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and mission-driven leadership.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a strategic advisor to the Executive Director on organizational health, infrastructure, and long-term sustainability.
• Collaborate with the Deputy Director to translate priorities into operational plans, timelines, and accountability structures.
• Lead and improve organization-wide systems, processes, and decision-making frameworks.
• Build operational capacity to support growth, programmatic excellence, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Oversee financial management including budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow monitoring.
• Manage outsourced accounting to ensure timely bookkeeping and financial reporting.
• Develop dashboards, reports, and analyses for leadership and Board.
• Ensure compliance with internal controls and policies across functions.
• Support grant budgeting, restricted funding tracking, and financial reporting as needed.
• Contribute to risk assessment and internal improvements across operations, HR, and admin.

Skills

Leadership experience

Finance management

HR operations

Policy compliance

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Payroll software

Financial reporting tools

Job description

Californians Together is seeking an Operations Director to lead core operational functions, strengthen internal infrastructure, and support long-term sustainability. This role reports to the Executive Director and oversees finance, HR, administration, compliance, and systems.

As a senior leader, you will manage internal and external partners, guide payroll and benefits, drive policy implementation, and ensure scalable processes while maintaining a focus on equity and mission-aligned leadership.