Operations Manager

Breakwater Strategy; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 95,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Breakwater Strategy, a strategic insights and communications agency, is seeking an experienced operations professional to join our growing team. This newly created role will support internal infrastructure as we scale, partnering with leadership on priorities spanning people, process, and technology.

You will manage recruitment, onboarding, performance cycles, events, and cross-functional coordination with IT, finance, and legal.

Qualifications

• 6–8 years of experience in internal operations, human resources, or related function.

Responsibilities

• Partner with firm leadership to assess hiring needs and support recruitment processes.
• Coordinate onboarding for new hires from offer to first weeks.
• Serve as day-to-day liaison with HR on performance management cycles.
• Own end-to-end logistics for firm-wide events (all-hands, in-office, team offsites).
• Support internal communications for firmwide announcements and updates.
• Coordinate IT updates and ensure day-to-day operations run smoothly.
• Manage software subscriptions, licenses, and access across the firm.
• Collaborate with accounting and legal to keep processes moving and stakeholders informed.
• Maintain organized records across operational functions.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Project management

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

HRIS

ATS

IT tools

Job description

Breakwater Strategy, a strategic insights and communications agency, is seeking an experienced operations professional to join our growing team. This is a newly created role designed to support and strengthen the firm’s internal infrastructure as we scale.

The ideal candidate is a proactive, detail-oriented professional who thrives in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment and brings a solutions-first mindset. This role will work closely with firm leadership to manage and execute on operational priorities across people, process, and technology, serving as a connective link between the firm and its broader administrative ecosystem.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Partner with firm leadership to assess hiring needs, drive recruitment processes, and support candidate evaluation and selection
• Coordinate onboarding for new hires, ensuring a smooth and well-organized experience from offer acceptance through first weeks
• Serve as day-to-day liaison with HR on performance management processes, including mid-year and annual review cycles
• Own end-to-end logistics for firm-wide events, including quarterly all-hands meetings, in-office gatherings, and team offsites

Support internal communications as needed for firmwide announcements and updates

• Serve as the firm’s primary point of contact for IT coordination, ensuring the team is informed of updates, transitions, and issues affecting day-to-day operations

Manage software subscriptions, licenses, and access across the firm, including coordination with the appropriate teams

• Coordinate with accounting and legal functions to ensure processes are moving forward, deadlines are met, and the right stakeholders are looped in

Maintain organized records and documentation across operational functions

ATTRIBUTES

6–8 years of experience in internal operations, human resources, or a related function; experience in a professional services firm strongly preferred

Bachelor’s degree required

Proven ability to manage multiple workstreams simultaneously with a high degree of organization and follow-through

Comfortable operating at both strategic and tactical levels, able to identify process gaps and execute the fix

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; able to build trust with colleagues across levels and functions

Demonstrated experience coordinating with HR, legal, finance, or IT functions, familiarity with relevant tools (HRIS, ATS) a plus

• Resourceful and self-directed, with the ability to work independently and move things forward with limited oversight
• Discretion and sound judgment when handling sensitive people and organizational matters
• Collaborative by default, with a genuine interest in contributing to a strong internal culture

District of Columbia Salary Range

$95,000—$105,000 USD