Strategic Operations Director: Drive Strategy & Budgets

Alliance Defending Freedom; Lansdowne (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental insurance

401(k) with 4% company match

Paid time off

12 paid holidays

Job summary

Alliance Defending Freedom is seeking a Strategic Operations Director to act as the EVP's operational partner, driving strategic projects, budgets, and cross-functional initiatives in a fast-paced nonprofit environment.

You will build financial models, benchmark analyses, and actionable plans, coordinating with senior leaders to advance organizational priorities and steward resources effectively.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Operations, Public Policy, or related field.
• 7+ years of progressive experience in operations management, strategic planning, or related role.
• Proven track record as COO or Operations Director in a small-to-mid-size organization.
• Hands-on experience managing budgets and building processes.

Responsibilities

• Take full ownership of strategic projects assigned by the EVP, from scoping through delivery, including planning and operational design.
• Develop structured analyses, frameworks, and recommendations on questions critical to the organization's mission and growth.
• Prepare internal briefing documents, strategic plans, business cases, and decision memos for senior leadership.
• Conduct research and benchmarking on organizational, industry, and policy questions relevant to ADF's strategic direction.
• Coordinate with the Office of the CEO to align strategic work with priorities.
• Review and analyze organizational financials, budgets, and resource allocations.
• Build financial models, forecasts, and scenario analyses to inform decisions.
• Identify operational inefficiencies and recommend process improvements for stewardship.
• Liaise between the EVP and teams, ensuring alignment and follow-through.
• Lead or support cross-functional workstreams with structure and accountability.
• Synthesize data and qualitative inputs into clear narratives for senior leadership.

Skills

Strategic planning

Operations management

Budget management

Cross-functional coordination

Strategic project leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Operations, Public Policy, or related field

7+ years of progressive operations/strategic planning experience

Job description

Alliance Defending Freedom is seeking a Strategic Operations Director to act as the EVP's operational partner, driving strategic projects, budgets, and cross-functional initiatives in a fast-paced nonprofit environment.

You will build financial models, benchmark analyses, and actionable plans, coordinating with senior leaders to advance organizational priorities and steward resources effectively.