Senior Manager, Strategic Operations
About Robin Hood
Founded in 1988, Robin Hood finds, fuels, and creates the most impactful and scalable solutions lifting families out of poverty in New York City. The largest poverty fighting organization in New York City, Robin Hood partners with top nonprofits in New York City and invests in legal services, housing, meals, workforce development training, education programs, and other vital services that give New Yorkers in need the tools they need to build better lives. The programs it funds are often the first of their kind and serve as demonstration models to identify what works before being replicated in other cities. Because its Board of Directors covers 100% of all administrative, fundraising, and evaluation costs, every dollar donated goes directly to organizations helping New Yorkers in need.
Reporting Relationship
The Senior Manager, Strategic Operations is on the Administration team and will report to the Chief Financial and Operating Officer.
Position Overview
The Senior Manager, Strategic Operations is a unique role serving as the only dedicated cross-functional operational resource to support the Chief Financial and Operating Officer (CFOO). This position will work directly with the CFOO to drive initiatives ranging from basic operational improvements to transformative organizational changes across the Finance, IT, Business Intelligence, Facilities, and Legal functions while being available to support critical projects across the organization.
The role demands exceptional versatility, as the Senior Manager, Strategic Operations will tackle an ever-changing portfolio of projects that require multidisciplinary expertise—from leading the development of organization-wide policies to supporting strategic technology initiatives.
While not expected to have deep expertise in any particular functional area, the successful candidate will be a quick learner who excels at leveraging internal expertise and, when needed, identifying and engaging external resources. This is an opportunity for both a strategic and tactical thinker who thrives on variety, excels at translating complexity into actionable plans, and can serve as a trusted extension of the CFOO in advancing operational excellence across Robin Hood.
Responsibilities
Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Strategic Project Leadership (60%)
- Lead initiatives from conception through implementation, serving as the CFOO's primary project execution partner
- Develop and implement organization-wide policies and procedures
- Drive strategic organizational initiatives that require coordination across multiple departments. Current potential project examples include:
- Developing and implementing organizational procurement and document retention policies
- Project managing the organizational AI initiative
- Supporting Robin Hood’s data strategy initiative
- Supporting the establishment of Robin Hood’s endowment
- Supporting Robin Hood’s 2026 office move
- With agreement from the CFOO, support individual functional teams in designing and executing their transformative projects
- Conduct organizational assessments to identify operational improvement opportunities and design solutions
- Provide project management expertise to teams across the organization on an as-needed basis, bringing professional project management methodologies to critical initiatives
- Identify and leverage internal functional expertise and identify external resources when specialized knowledge is required
Cross-Functional Coordination & Administrative Team Collaboration (20%)
- Organize and facilitate regular meetings among administrative teams to enhance collaboration, knowledge sharing and team-building
- Design and implement systems that strengthen cross-functional collaboration across the Finance, IT, Business Intelligence, Facilities, and Legal teams
- Build bridges between administrative functions and program teams to ensure operational decisions support programmatic goals
- Serve as a connector across the organization, breaking down silos and fostering productive working relationships
- Partner with Robin Hood’s program teams to identify and coordinate site visits and participation opportunities for administrative staff to increase exposure to Robin Hood's more direct mission-driven work
CFOO Strategic Support (15%)
- Prepare executive-level presentations and briefing materials that translate complex operational matters into clear, actionable insights
- Serve as a trusted advisor and sounding board to the CFOO on strategic operational matters
- Provide limited analytical and project support for Board committee preparations (Investment Committee; Audit, Finance & Compliance Committee)
- Represent the CFOO in cross-functional meetings and initiatives as needed
- Conduct special research and analysis projects as assigned
Operational Analysis & Continuous Improvement (5%)
- Analyze current processes across administrative functions to identify inefficiencies and recommend improvements
- Develop business cases for new initiatives, including ROI analysis and resource requirements
- Create and maintain comprehensive project documentation, ensuring institutional knowledge is captured and accessible
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree required
- 7+ years of experience in project management, management consulting, operations, or related fields
- Demonstrated success leading complex, cross-functional initiatives in medium to large organizations
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, project management tools (ideally Notion), and data analysis platforms
- Strong project management credentials preferred
- Understanding of basic financial concepts, including ROI analysis, budgeting, forecasting, and cost-benefit evaluation, with the ability to translate data into actionable insights.
- Experience with AI tools and emerging technologies preferred
- Outstanding organizational skills with proven ability to manage multiple priorities
- Experience in the nonprofit sector a plus
- Commitment to Robin Hood's poverty-fighting mission
Competencies
Project Management Excellence
- Demonstrates mastery of project management methodologies and tools
- Creates comprehensive project plans with clear milestones, deliverables, and success metrics
- Monitors progress against objectives and proactively addresses obstacles
- Manages multiple complex projects simultaneously while maintaining quality and meeting deadlines
- Facilitates effective collaboration among diverse stakeholder groups
Strategic Thinking & Problem Solving
- Ability to see the big picture while managing detailed execution
- Breaks down complex, ambiguous problems into manageable components
- Develops innovative solutions that balance ideal outcomes with practical constraints
- Anticipates challenges and develops mitigation strategies
Communication & Influence
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with ability to explain complexities in simple terms
- Adapts communication style to diverse audiences from board members to operational staff
- Builds trust and credibility quickly across all organizational levels
- Influences without authority to drive consensus and action
Technical & Data Competency
- Proven proficiency with data analysis, technology tools, and AI applications
- Ability to quickly learn new systems and technologies
- Uses data to drive decision-making and measure impact
- Understands the strategic potential of technology in operational improvement
Adaptability & Learning Agility
- Thrives in ambiguous, fast-changing environments
- Ability to quickly develop working knowledge of new subject areas without requiring deep functional expertise
- Effectively identifies and engages internal subject matter experts and external resources when specialized knowledge is needed
- Comfortable switching between strategic planning and tactical execution
- Maintains effectiveness when priorities shift
Relationship Building & Interpersonal Skills
- Exceptional interpersonal skills with ability to work effectively with diverse personalities
- Builds relationships of trust and mutual respect across the organization
- Demonstrates emotional intelligence and empathy
- Represents the CFOO professionally in all interactions
Salary and Benefits
Robin Hood offers a competitive compensation package, with a salary range determined by years of experience, skills, and abilities. Each candidate’s placement within the range will be based on these factors while ensuring alignment with our commitment to equitable internal pay practices.
Our extensive benefits include medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, a 403(b) retirement plan with employer match, and a 12% employer contribution to a 401(a) retirement plan. We also support a healthy work-life balance by providing new hires with 20 days of accrued paid time off. This position is based in New York City and follows a hybrid work environment. Employees are required to work on-site three (3) days per week, with Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday designated as the standard in-office days. Please note that the hybrid schedule is subject to change based on organizational priorities and team needs. Any adjustments will be communicated well in advance.
The salary range for this position is $125,000 - $140,000.
To Apply
Please visit our website to complete our online application.
Robin Hood is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants from diverse backgrounds and identities are encouraged to apply.
This position was originally posted by the Robin Hood Foundation and has been curated by PurposePhil Career. To apply, please visit the original listing on the "apply" link below. We are not affiliated with the employer organization of this job ad or consultancy, and provide this curated listing as a service to our users.
