Director, Operations

About the Job

ABOUT FIRST BOOK

First Book is a leading nonprofit social enterprise dedicated to removing barriers to quality education for children in need. Through innovative public-private partnerships and a national network of more than 600,000 educators, program leaders, and community organizations, First Book has distributed over 250 million books and educational resources to under-resourced communities. Our work spans e-commerce (First Book Marketplace), research and insights (First Book R&I), and tailored program development (First Book Accelerator), all designed to elevate the voices and needs of educators serving children in low-income communities.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Director of Operations plays a key role in ensuring the First Book Marketplace delivers a best-in-class online experience for our network of 600,000+ educators and program leaders serving children in need. The Director of Operations leads the Operations and Member Services functions and manages critical external supply chain partnerships to support strong operational performance and an exceptional member experience.

This role oversees the full movement of incoming and outgoing inventory across multiple warehouses, drives process improvements that streamline operations, and ensures reliable, high-quality service delivery. The Director of Operations is responsible for the daily, weekly, and monthly operational rhythms that support performance management and the successful execution of projects that enhance the member journey.

Success in this role requires strong cross-functional communication, close collaboration with the Information Technology team, and the ability to advance the organization's shift toward data-driven decision-making. We are seeking a business-focused leader with strong analytical, communication, and managerial skills, proven cross-functional experience, and supply chain expertise to help drive sustainable revenue growth through improved member experiences.

WHAT YOU'LL OWN:

• Lead and develop the Operations and Member Services teams , ensuring staff have the tools, training, and support needed to deliver high-quality service.

• Oversee warehouse, shipping, freight, and fulfillment partnerships , ensuring strong vendor performance, efficient operations, and a positive member experience.

• Manage and improve end-to-end operational processes , including order placement, inventory management, shipping, fulfillment, and quality assurance.

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that increase accuracy, efficiency, scalability, and customer satisfaction across operational workflows.

• Partner with IT to enhance operational systems , including automation, reporting, inventory management, and user acceptance testing for Marketplace and system updates.

• Strengthen customer experience operations by collaborating with Member Services on escalation management, process improvements, and cross-functional communication.

• Oversee operational budgeting and financial processes , including forecasting, invoice reconciliation, and reporting on warehousing, shipping, and fulfillment expenses.

• Track and report departmental KPIs , translating organizational goals into measurable team objectives and data-driven recommendations.

• Lead hiring, onboarding, coaching, and performance management for Operations and Member Services staff, ensuring clear expectations and professional development.

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred.

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE:

• Strong understanding of customer experience principles and the operational processes that support a seamless customer journey.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and diverse viewpoints.
• High comfort with data and analytics, including the ability to use Salesforce, Magento, Excel, and other data sources to inform decisions.
• Ability to quickly learn and master new systems, technologies, and operational tools.
• Experience collaborating across departments to design effective solutions and improve processes.
• Familiarity with FTP and API data exchanges.
• Ability to remain calm, flexible, and solutions oriented in complex or high pressure situations.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in operations, inventory management, fulfillment, or related functions, including procurement, receiving, stocking, shipping, billing, and order troubleshooting.
• Experience managing internal teams and external operational partners.
• Strong understanding of warehouse operations, customer service workflows, and freight logistics.
• Intermediate or higher Excel skills, including formulas and functions.
• Demonstrated experience developing or improving SOPs based on process analysis and technology enhancements.
• Commitment to First Book's mission and ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

• Total Rewards - In compliance with the District of Columbia Wage Transparency Act, First Book will provide the pay range for this position to applicants upon request or as part of the job posting.
• Salary Range: $102,000 annually.

All full-time employees are eligible for the following:

• Medical and dental insurance coverage.
• Life insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage.
• Paid vacation and sick leave.
• 12 paid holidays annually.
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching contributions.
• Employer-provided parking stipend (Washington, DC).

TO APPLY:

• Submit a resume and a cover letter detailing your interest in this position.
• Only applications submitted through First Book's approved platform will be considered.
• Applications submitted through external or unapproved sites will not be reviewed.
  • First Book does not accept unsolicited recruiter submissions and does not pay fees for resumes submitted outside of a formal written agreement.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

First Book is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, personal appearance, family responsibilities, genetic information, matriculation, political affiliation, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, District of Columbia, or local law.

ACCOMMODATIONS

First Book is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and to individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs, in accordance with applicable law. Applicants requiring accommodations during the application or interview process should submit a written request to First Book's Human Resources department.

WORK PRESENCE & EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS:

• The role is structured as a hybrid position.
• Therefore, this position requires regular in-office presence at First Book's Washington, DC office on designated days to support internal collaboration and partnership activities.
• Reasonable accommodation will be considered in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
• Relocation assistance is not provided. Candidates who relocate do so at their own expense.

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