Senior Manager, Operations and Administration

Brennan Center for Justice; New York (NY); On-site; USD 150,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary range provided: $150,000–$160,0

401k plan

Health insurance (medical, dental, and

Wellness program

Generous time off

Job summary

The Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law is a nonpartisan law and policy institute aiming to improve democracy and justice in the United States. We seek an experienced Senior Manager, Operations and Administration to lead day-to-day operational functions for our New York and Washington, DC offices.

The role reports to the COO and oversees workplace operations, facilities, organizational systems, vendor management, and capital projects, with in-office work five days a week at our NYC

Qualifications

• 1-3 years of accounting experience in nonprofit sector
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting/finance
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to work independently and in a team
• Experience exercising discretion and maintain confidentiality with regard to company accounts
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, including VLOOKUPs and pivot tables
• Experience using Abila MIP (nonprofit) accounting software preferred
• Basic understanding of US GAAP

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day workplaces operations across the New York and Washington DC offices
• Develop and continuously improve operational policies, SOPs, and service standards
• Build scalable operational processes that improve efficiency and employee experience
• Identify operational risks and implement solutions to improve service delivery
• Partner with department leaders to anticipate operational needs and organizational growth
• Serve as primary liaison with building management, landlords, contractors, and facilities vendors
• Oversee office maintenance, repairs, furniture, workplace technology coordination, and vendor performance
• Lead office expansion, renovation, relocation, and capital improvement projects
• Develop workplace standards that promote collaboration, safety, accessibility, and productivity
• Ensure compliance with workplace safety, emergency preparedness, and security procedures
• Lead cross-functional operational initiatives from planning through implementation
• Develop project plans, timelines, milestones, and reporting for strategic initiatives
• Convene and facilitate cross-departmental working groups
• Monitor project progress, identify risks, and ensure accountability across stakeholders
• Support organizational change management and implementation of new operational systems
• Manage Operations departmental budget
• Monitor operational expenditures and capital project budgetsReview invoices, purchase requests, and payment approvals
• Lead vendor sourcing, contract negotiations, and ongoing performance management
• Identify cost‑saving opportunities while maintaining high service levels
• Oversee organization‑wide operational systems including Travel program, Internal communication tools, Shared calendars, Workplace procedures, Operational documentation, Staff resources libraries
• Partner with HR and IT to improve onboarding and operational workflows
• Evaluate and implement workplace technologies that improve efficiency
• Support board meetings, internal meetings, and organizational events
• Develop operational standards that create a consistent employee experience
• Partner with Office of the President, Development, HR and Communications to support organizational events and employee experience initiatives
• Manage Supervises the Office Manager and Administrative Assistant (Reception & Office Operations) in the New York office.
• Provides operational leadership to the Washington DC Office Administration and Projects Manager.
• Coach, mentor, and develop team members.
• Establish performance expectations and operational standards.
• Ensure consistent service delivery across both offices.

Skills

Accounting experience

Excellent communication

Attention to detail

Independence & teamwork

Discretion & confidentiality

Excel (VLOOKUP & pivot)

US GAAP knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance

Tools

Abila MIP

Job description

• Manage Operations departmental budget
• Staff resources libraries

The Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law is a nonpartisan law and policy institute that seeks to improve the systems of democracy and justice in the United States. We work to hold our political institutions and laws accountable to the twin American ideals of democracy and equal justice for all. The Brennan Center’s work ranges from voting rights to campaign finance reform, from ending mass incarceration to preserving constitutional protections in national security policies. Part think tank, part advocacy group, part cutting-edge communications hub, we start with rigorous research. We craft innovative policies. And we fight for them — in Congress and the states, in the courts, and in the court of public opinion.

Position Overview

We are hiring a Senior Manager, Operations and Administration to lead the day-to-day management of all operational functions that enable the Brennan Center to operate efficiently across its New York and Washington, DC offices. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), this role serves as the operational leader for workplace operations, facilities, organizational systems, vendor management, capital projects, and cross-functional initiatives that improve employee experience and organizational effectiveness.

NOTE: This position is in-office 5 days/week andis based at our headquarters in New York City. This role may occasionally require supporting early morning or evening events.

Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Lead day-to-day workplaces operations across the New York and Washington DC offices
• Develop and continuously improve operational policies, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and service standards
• Build scalable operational processes that improve efficiency and employee experience
• Identify operational risks and implement solutions to improve service delivery
• Partner with department leaders to anticipate operational needs and organizational growth

Facilities & Workplace Management

• Serve as primary liaison with building management, landlords, contractors, and facilities vendors
• Oversee office maintenance, repairs, furniture, workplace technology coordination, and vendor performance
• Lead office expansion, renovation, relocation, and capital improvement projects
• Develop workplace standards that promote collaboration, safety, accessibility, and productivity
• Ensure compliance with workplace safety, emergency preparedness, and security procedures

Project & Program Management

• Lead cross-functional operational initiatives from planning through implementation
• Develop project plans, timelines, milestones, and reporting for strategic initiatives
• Convene and facilitate cross-departmental working groups
• Monitor project progress, identify risks, and ensure accountability across stakeholders
• Support organizational change management and implementation of new operational systems

Budget & Vendor Management

• Manage Operations departmental budget
• Monitor operational expenditures and capital project budgetsReview invoices, purchase requests, and payment approvals
• Lead vendor sourcing, contract negotiations, and ongoing performance management
• Identify cost‑saving opportunities while maintaining high service levels

Organizational Systems & Continuous Improvement

• Oversee organization‑wide operational systems including:
  • Travel program
  • Internal communication tools
  • Shared calendars
  • Workplace procedures
  • Operational documentation
  • Staff resources libraries
• Partner with HR and IT to improve onboarding and operational workflows
• Evaluate and implement workplace technologies that improve efficiency

Employee Experience

• Support board meetings, internal meetings, and organizational events
• Develop operational standards that create a consistent employee experience
• Partner with Office of the President, Development, HR and Communications to support organizational events and employee experience initiatives

People Leadership

• Manage Supervises the Office Manager and Administrative Assistant (Reception & Office Operations) in the New York office.
• Provides operational leadership to the Washington DC Office Administration and Projects Manager.
• Coach, mentor, and develop team members.
• Establish performance expectations and operational standards.
• Ensure consistent service delivery across both offices.

Qualifications

• 1-3 years of experience in accounting, which may include internships, academic accounting projects, or relevant coursework, preferably in the nonprofit sector
• Bachelor’s degree with a major in accounting or finance
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in work
• Resourceful and efficient
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment
• Experience exercising discretion and maintain confidentiality with regard to company accounts
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, including VLOOKUPs and pivot tables
• Experience using Abila MIP (nonprofit) accounting software preferred
• Basic understanding of US GAAP and accounting principles

We are committed to considering a wide range of candidates, including those with diverse experiences and backgrounds. Whether you are new to the nonprofit law and policy sector, returning to work after a gap in employment, looking to make a career transition, or seeking to advance your professional path, we welcome your application.

If you’re uncertain about meeting 100 percent of our qualifications, we encourage you to apply anyway. In your cover letter, please describe your interest in the position and what you hope to contribute to the role.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage interested applicants to apply early, as the position will be filled once a qualified candidate is identified.

Compensation and Benefits

The Brennan Center is a fantastic workplace! We offer competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package that is regularly assessed based on workplace trends and employee feedback.

The salary range assigned for this role is $150,000 – $160,000 and has been determined based on market competitiveness. We determine our salary ranges based on market competitiveness and internal equity for each job. The salary offered a selected candidate will be contingent upon the candidate’s experience, qualifications and internal equity considerations. Additionally, we offer generous time off program, 401k plan, comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, and vision), and wellness and office perks.

The Brennan Center for Justice is committed to a workplace based on equal opportunity and a strong belief in the increased effectiveness that comes from a diverse workforce. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, ethnicity, gender identity, socioeconomic identity, sexual orientation, national origin, previous incarceration, disability, military veteran/status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. To this end, we welcome all qualified applicants to apply.