Operations Director

About Pal Center Founded in 1995 by the Redwood City Police Department, Pal Center is a trusted nonprofit community hub serving youth, families, and residents across Redwood City and North Fair Oaks. Through after-school programs, wellness services, sports and recreation, mentorship, family support, and community-based initiatives, Pal Center creates safe, inclusive spaces where young people and families can learn, grow, build meaningful relationships, and thrive. Our work is rooted in integrity, equity, collaboration, innovation, accountability, and community-centered leadership. Position Overview The Director of Operations is a senior leadership position responsible for strengthening and overseeing the internal systems, infrastructure, and operational effectiveness of PalCenter. Serving as the third senior leader behind the Executive Director and Associate Director, this role ensures the organization operates efficiently, sustainably, and in alignment with its mission, strategic priorities, and community-centered values. The Director of Operations provides leadership across human resources, financial operations, organizational systems, compliance, facilities, technology, community engagement, events, executive calendar management, and cross-departmental coordination. This role works closely with operational, program, and community engagement staff to improve accountability, communication, scalability, and the overall experience of youth, families, staff, partners, and community members. The ideal candidate is a highly organized, emotionally intelligent, and strategic leader who can balance big-picture thinking with strong execution. They are skilled at building systems, leading teams, solving complex operational challenges, and fostering a healthy organizational culture grounded in collaboration, equity, accountability, and continuous improvement. Supervision The Director of Operations reports directly to the Associate Director and provides leadership, supervision, and strategic oversight for the organization’s operational infrastructure, support functions, and community engagement systems. This role directly oversees the Operations Manager, bookkeeping and finance support team, facilities and maintenance staff, IT systems and support, relevant operational vendors and contractors, and the Community Engagement Department. The Director of Operations provides direct supervision and support to the Community Engagement Manager, who oversees community events, participant advisory groups, partner seminars and activities, community-facing activations, and marketing functions. The Director of Operations ensures community engagement efforts are well-coordinated, operationally supported, aligned with organizational priorities, and connected to the broader systems of the organization. Core Responsibilities 1. Organizational Leadership, Strategic Operations & Infrastructure Serve as a senior operational leader responsible for strengthening organizational infrastructure, aligning operations with strategic priorities, and building systems that support PalCenter’s long-term growth, effectiveness, and sustainability. What success looks like: Operations align with PalCenter’s mission, strategic priorities, and leadership direction. Organizational systems reduce dependency on senior leadership for day-to-day execution. Cross-departmental communication, accountability, and coordination improve organizational effectiveness. Operational challenges are identified and addressed before becoming barriers. A clear master organizational calendar supports programs, operations, community engagement, facilities, leadership priorities, partner commitments, and major deadlines. Executive calendar management supports the Executive Director, Associate Director, leadership team, board needs, community commitments, and organizational priorities. Staff have improved visibility into key dates, events, deadlines, program schedules, partner meetings, and operational needs. Shared systems, SOPs, workflows, technology tools, and accountability structures support organizational efficiency and scalability. Facilities, logistics, and operational infrastructure are well-maintained and responsive to organizational needs. 2. Human Resources, Talent Development & Team Leadership Deliver selected organizational HR operations and support the development of a high-performing, accountable, and mission-aligned team culture across operational, community engagement, and program functions. What success looks like: Staff experience clear expectations, accountability, and support. Hiring, onboarding, and staff transitions are handled professionally and effectively. Managers receive coaching and support to lead teams successfully. Employee concerns and performance issues are addressed early, directly, and constructively. Staff development systems strengthen retention, growth, and organizational culture. HR systems and policies remain compliant, equitable, and well-communicated. Documentation and accountability systems support consistent follow-through. 3. Financial Operations & Resource Stewardship Provide strategic oversight of organizational financial operations, budgeting, resource allocation, forecasting, and operational sustainability in partnership with the finance team and senior leadership. What success looks like: Organizational operations consistently operate within budget while maintaining quality and impact. Leadership has accurate financial information to support strategic decision-making. Financial systems, reimbursements, payroll coordination, vendor management, and operational spending run smoothly. Resources are allocated strategically toward the highest-impact priorities. Financial risks and sustainability concerns are identified proactively. Organizational forecasting and scenario planning support long-term stability. Vendor agreements, contracts, invoices, and operational expenses are managed with attention to detail and fiscal accountability. 4. Compliance, Risk Management & Organizational Readiness Ensure organizational compliance, operational accountability, youth safety systems, and risk management practices across all operational and administrative functions. What success looks like: Organizational operations remain compliant with grant, contractual, legal, and nonprofit requirements. Youth safety, workplace safety, and incident response systems are consistently maintained. Operational risks are proactively identified and mitigated. Policies, insurance requirements, vendor agreements, and legal documentation remain current and organized. The organization remains prepared for audits, grant monitoring, and external reviews. Staff understand and follow operational procedures and compliance expectations. Crisis response, documentation, and escalation systems are clear and reliable. 5. Data, Evaluation, Grant Management & Organizational Accountability Support organizational systems for data tracking, evaluation, impact measurement, grant deliverables, reporting requirements, contracts, and operational commitments in partnership with program leadership and the Associate Director. What success looks like: Leadership teams regularly use data to inform decisions and improve outcomes. Organizational metrics align with strategic priorities and funding goals. Data systems produce accurate, timely, and meaningful reporting. Program outcomes are clearly communicated to funders, partners, and stakeholders. Grant deliverables, compliance requirements, and reporting deadlines are tracked and completed on time. Operational systems support strong stewardship of restricted funding. Cross-functional coordination improves organizational accountability and funder confidence. 6. Community Engagement, Events & External Relations Lead the operational oversight of Pal Center’s community engagement systems, community-facing events, participant engagement structures, and external-facing experiences in partnership with the Community Engagement Manager, program leadership, and senior leadership. Fundraising events are led by the Associate Director, with the Director of Operations and Community Engagement Manager collaborating to support logistics, staffing coordination, community experience, and event execution where appropriate. What success looks like: Youth, families, partners, and community members experience welcoming, responsive, organized, and meaningful community events. Community events are planned with clear timelines, staffing plans, logistics, budgets, communication needs, and follow-up systems. The Community Engagement Manager receives clear supervision, support, and accountability. Marketing leads in graphic design, photography, videography, and online campaign marketing are coordinated through the Community Engagement Manager and aligned with organizational priorities. Participant advisory groups, partner seminars, community gatherings, and public activations are organized, meaningful, and connected to organizational learning. Community engagement activities strengthen belonging, trust, visibility, and connection between PalCenter and the communities it serves. Community event operations are coordinated with program schedules, facilities, staffing, communications, and the master organizational calendar. Community partners, residents, and families experience PalCenter as organized, welcoming, professional, and deeply connected to the community. Organizational messaging consistently reflects PalCenter’s mission, values, and impact. 7. Governance, Organizational Stewardship & Program Alignment Support the long-term health, sustainability, governance effectiveness, and program alignment of the organization through operational leadership, strategic stewardship, and organizational stability. What success looks like: Organizational decisions prioritize long-term sustainability and mission impact. Board and leadership teams receive strong operational support and strategic insight. Organizational systems are built for long-term scalability rather than short-term fixes. Future leaders are developed internally through mentorship and delegation. The organization remains resilient during periods of growth, transition, and change. Program structures and operational systems support consistent implementation of PalCenter’s Future Forward Framework and youth development goals. Leadership demonstrates ownership, accountability, and commitment to organizational success. Requirements Required Qualifications Minimum of 6 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in operations, nonprofit management, administration, finance, HR, program operations, community engagement, events, or a closely related field. Minimum of 4 years of supervisory experience, including experience managing managers, cross-functional teams, vendors, contractors, or operational support staff. Demonstrated experience leading systems across multiple operational functions such as administration, HR, finance, facilities, compliance, technology, community engagement, or events. Strong financial and operational management skills, including experience with budgeting, forecasting, expense oversight, vendor management, and operational planning. Experience developing and improving systems, workflows, policies, procedures, and accountability structures that support organizational effectiveness. Strong leadership and people management skills, including coaching, performance management, conflict resolution, and team development. Excellent organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously. Strong written and verbal communication skills with staff, families, community partners, vendors, and senior leadership. Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive information with professionalism, sound judgment, and discretion. Commitment to equity, inclusion, cultural humility, and community-centered leadership. Comfort using technology, spreadsheets, operational systems, reporting tools, data platforms, and shared calendar tools. Experience managing complex calendars, executive scheduling, organizational timelines, or cross-departmental coordination systems. Experience overseeing or coordinating community engagement, events, communications, marketing, or public-facing organizational activities. Ability to work primarily on-site in Redwood City and support occasional evening or weekend organizational needs, events, or meetings. Ability to meet all legally required conditions of employment related to working in a youth-serving organization, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Preferred Qualifications Bachelor’s degree or equivalent lived, professional, or leadership experience in nonprofit management, business administration, public administration, organizational leadership, social services, education, finance, human resources, or a related field. 8 or more years of leadership experience in nonprofit, youth development, education, community-based, or mission-driven organizations. Experience serving on a senior leadership team and partnering directly with executive leadership. Experience overseeing operations in a growing nonprofit or multi-service community-based organization. Experience supporting organizational compliance, audits, grant reporting, contracts, insurance processes, or operational risk management. Experience supervising administrative, finance, facilities, front desk, IT, operational support, community engagement, communications, or event teams. Experience managing organizational calendars, executive calendars, shared facilities calendars, program schedules, or event planning systems across multiple departments. Experience coordinating community events, partner convenings, advisory groups, seminars, or public activations that strengthen community trust and belonging. Familiarity with youth-serving environments and operational practices that support safety, wellness, and community trust. Familiarity with the communities of Redwood City, North Fair Oaks, or similar culturally diverse communities. Bilingual English/Spanish preferred. Experience with nonprofit operational platforms, HR systems, payroll systems, finance systems, CRM databases, reporting dashboards, or shared calendar/project management systems. Core Competencies Strategic leadership and organizational stewardship Operational systems and process improvement Team leadership, coaching, and accountability Financial and resource management Compliance, risk management, and organizational readiness Project management and cross-functional coordination Data-informed decision-making Community engagement and event operations Communication and stakeholder management Equity, cultural humility, and relationship-centered leadership Adaptability, judgment, and problem-solving Mission-driven leadership and commitment to community impact Compensation and Benefits Starting salary range: $100,000 - $120,000 annually, depending on experience, qualifications, and demonstrated leadership capacity. Full-time, grant-funded exempt position. Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverage. Generous paid time off, holidays, and wellness-supportive time away policies. Opportunities for ongoing professional development, leadership growth, and organizational learning. Collaborative and mission-driven work environment rooted in community impact, wellness, and equity. Opportunity to help shape and strengthen a growing organization serving youth and families across Redwood City and North Fair Oaks. Meaningful leadership role within a trusted community-centered organization committed to long-term impact and transformation. Pal Center is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. We strongly encourage individuals from historically underrepresented communities to apply. We value lived experience, community leadership, and nontraditional career pathways alongside professional experience and education. #J-18808-Ljbffr