Description:
PURPOSE STATEMENT
The Director of People & Operations provides leadership for Ayuda’s administrative infrastructure, human resources operations, benefits administration, facilities, technology coordination, internal systems, and organizational policies. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, this role leads a multi-function team currently consisting of 8 staff, and directly supervises the Intake & Operations Manager, HR Manager, and Tech & Data Manager, providing oversight and support to operations and administrative staff who report through those functions. The role also manages key consultant and vendor relationships, and ensures that Ayuda’s internal systems support staff, clients, and organizational goals effectively.
ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE
Ayuda is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing direct legal, social and language access services, education, and outreach to low-income immigrants in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Since 1973, Ayuda has provided critical services on a wide range of issues, in the process acquiring nationally recognized expertise in several fields including immigration law, language access, domestic violence and human trafficking. Ayuda has office locations in Washington, DC, Silver Spring, MD and Fairfax, VA.
WHY DO YOU WANT THIS JOB?
Because, just like everyone at Ayuda, you believe:
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In seeing communities where all immigrants succeed and thrive in the United States.
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In the overall success of our organization and all our programs.
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That families should be healthy and safe from harm.
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That all people should have access to professional, honest, and ethical services, regardless of ability to pay or status in this country.
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That diversity and equality make this country better.
You may also want this job because you are energized by building the internal systems that help mission-driven organizations work well. You believe that strong HR, operations, technology, compliance, communication, and administrative systems are not separate from the mission — they are what allow staff to serve clients effectively, sustainably, and with fewer gaps.
This is a good fit for someone who enjoys both strategy and execution: seeing the big picture, identifying risks and opportunities, creating practical systems, supporting managers and staff, and making sure important behind-the-scenes work actually gets done.
WHAT WILL THIS JOB ENTAIL?
The Director of People & Operations provides leadership, supervision, and oversight across Ayuda’s internal infrastructure functions. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
Organizational Leadership & Internal Coordination
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Serves as a member of Ayuda’s leadership team and partners with the Chief Operating Officer, Executive Director, finance leadership, and program leaders to strengthen organizational systems and operational effectiveness.
- Translates organizational priorities into clear operational plans, policies, workflows, and staff supports.
- Leads internal operations communications to ensure staff have timely, accurate, and practical information about policies, procedures, benefits, technology, facilities, and administrative processes.
- Directly supervises, supports, and develops the Operations Manager, HR Manager, and Tech & Data Manager; provides indirect oversight, guidance, and supports to operations and administrative staff within those functions, including Intake Specialists/Office Managers and the HR & Operations Associate.
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Builds an organizational culture grounded in clarity, accountability, collaboration, equity, service, and problem-solving.
- Helps clarify roles, decision rights, backup plans, and escalation points across internal operations functions.
People Operations / Human Resources Oversight
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Supervises and supports the HR Manager in carrying out core HR functions.
- Oversees general employment lifecycle processes, including recruitment, onboarding, leave management, performance management, employee relations, offboarding, and HR compliance.
- Supports Ayuda’s organizational culture and employee experience by helping address employee morale and relations matters in partnership with legal counsel, the human resources consultant, the Chief Operating Officer, and senior management as appropriate.
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Ensures Ayuda’s Personnel Manual, HR policies, and employee guidance are reviewed, updated, communicated, and implemented consistently.
- Partners with the HR Manager, benefits broker, legal counsel, HR consultants, and senior leadership on complex HR matters as needed.
- Provides oversight and guidance to the HR Manager on benefits administration and annual benefits renewal, including medical, dental, vision, paid leave, retirement, life insurance, disability insurance, transportation benefits, FSA, COBRA, and related employee communications.
- Supports compensation processes, salary guidance, job description review, salary benchmarking, and annual salary scale planning.
- Provides oversight and guidance to the HR Manager on annual performance review processes and help strengthen supervisor guidance, manager practices, and accountability systems.
- Supports a healthy, inclusive, and respectful workplace culture, including staff morale, employee relations, and consistent application of policies.
Operations, Facilities & Administration
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Provides supervision, guidance, and accountability for the Intake & Operations Manager, who leads day-to-day office operations across Ayuda’s DC, Maryland, and Virginia offices.
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Provides oversight and support to the Intake & Operations Manager to ensure Ayuda has appropriate office space, physical infrastructure, supplies, reception coverage, mail handling, client-facing operational coverage, and administrative support.
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Provides oversight and support to the Intake & Operations Manager on business insurance, business registrations, licenses, charitable registrations, state tax-exempt certifications, clean hands certificates, and related compliance deadlines.
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Ensures procurement policies, vendor selection documentation, and administrative purchasing processes are followed.
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Provides oversight and support to the Intake & Operations Manager to ensure that Ayuda has appropriate emergency response plans, office security systems, alarm response processes, front-desk safety protocols, and incident response procedures, including guidance for unexpected visitors, law enforcement visits, and other sensitive or potentially disruptive situations.
Technology, Data & Systems
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Supervises or partners closely with the Tech & Data Manager on technology, data, cybersecurity, and systems priorities.
- Coordinates with Ayuda’s managed IT provider to ensure staff have reliable, secure, and appropriate technology support.
- Reviews and approves new technology requests, IT spending, and systems changes as appropriate.
- Supports technology compliance, usage policies, cybersecurity practices, incident response planning, access controls, and staff guidance, working with the Tech & Data Manager and managed IT provider to ensure Ayuda’s systems and practices align with applicable federal, local, funder, and contractual requirements.
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Helps strengthen shared systems such as Microsoft 365, SharePoint, Monday.com, HR/payroll systems, LegalServer-related operational processes, password management, and other administrative platforms.
- Partners with program and administrative teams to ensure internal systems are practical, secure, and aligned with organizational needs.
Finance, Budget & Administrative Controls
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Partners closely with Finance on administrative controls, indirect budget planning, expense approvals, procurement processes, and audit readiness.
- Develops or supports development of the central administrative/indirect budget.
- Monitors indirect spending and approves indirect expenses in accordance with Ayuda policies and funder requirements.
- Reviews and approves disbursements, transfers, checks, credit card reports, procurement documentation, and other administrative financial processes as assigned.
- Serves as signer or approver for certain financial transactions, in accordance with Ayuda’s internal controls.
Risk, Compliance, Safety & Continuity
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Helps ensure Ayuda is prepared for operational, safety, security, technology, compliance, and staffing disruptions.
- Supports annual audit preparation by ensuring HR, IT, insurance, licensing, and operations materials are available and accurate.
- Supports organizational risk management and continuity by maintaining key administrative compliance cycles, audit support processes, emergency response procedures, technology/security coordination, SOPs, and backup plans.
Office / Hybrid Expectations
This position will be hybrid across Ayuda’s DC, Maryland, and Virginia offices and will include both in-person and remote workdays. The role requires regular in-person presence for team support, office operations, meetings, and urgent operational needs.
Requirements:
HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU CAN DO THIS JOB?
Eligibility Requirements:
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Must be legally able to work in the United States and maintain proper work authorization throughout employment.
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Must be able to meet the physical requirements of the position presented in a general office environment.
Qualifications:
The following qualifications are the qualities, experiences, and skills we seek in a candidate. Candidates who do not meet every qualification, but who believe they would be a strong fit for the role and Ayuda’s mission, are encouraged to apply.
Required Qualifications
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At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in operations, human resources, administration, nonprofit management, or related field.
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Experience in a nonprofit setting, ideally in legal services, immigrant rights, social services, advocacy, or another direct-service environment.
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At least 3 years of supervisory experience, including experience supporting staff, clarifying roles and responsibilities, and managing team priorities.
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Strong working knowledge of nonprofit operations, HR administration, compliance, vendor management, internal systems, and administrative processes.
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Demonstrated ability to manage complex, cross-functional work with competing deadlines and changing priorities.
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Strong judgment, discretion, and ability to handle sensitive employee, financial, operational, and organizational information.
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Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain policies, processes, and decisions clearly and diplomatically.
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Comfort working with technology systems, shared work-management tools, external vendors, and internal data/security practices.
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Commitment to equity, inclusion, client-centered service, staff wellbeing, and Ayuda’s mission.
Preferred Qualifications:
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Experience with multi-office, hybrid, or geographically distributed workplace operations.
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Experience overseeing or partnering closely with HR functions such as benefits administration, employee relations, performance management, compensation, leave, or HR compliance.
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Experience with nonprofit financial controls, administrative budgets, procurement, audit preparation, or administrative compliance.
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Familiarity with Microsoft 365, SharePoint, Monday.com or similar project-management tools, HRIS/payroll systems, password management tools, and cybersecurity practices.
SALARY AND BENEFITS:
The anticipated salary for this position is $100,000 - $128,000 depending on experience.
We are proud of the benefits we can offer that include:
- Platinum-level medical insurance plan 100% employer-paid
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Dental and vision insurance 100% employer paid
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Long-term disability insurance 100% employer paid
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Life and AD&D insurance 100% employer paid
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Pre-tax 401(k) with Employer match on first 3% of salary
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Vacation Days: 21 days per year until year 3, 27 per year in years 3-7 and 33 days per year after 7 years employment. Employees begin with 3 days of vacation leave.
- New employees begin with 5 days of Health & Wellness (sick) leave and accrue an additional 5 hours per pay period plus emergency medical leave up to 12 weeks per year
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12 weeks paid parental leave
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24 days paid holidays and staff wellness days, including Winter Break, the last week of the year
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Job-related professional development fees (including annual state bar dues and professional memberships)
Employees with federal student loan debt may be eligible to apply for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the Department of Education. For more information, go to https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service.
This position is exempt for overtime purposes.
TO APPLY:
Please apply with a resume and cover letter. Writing samples may be requested.
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Apply early for full consideration. No phone calls, please.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT STATEMENT:
Ayuda is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.
We believe that a diversity of experiences, opinions, and backgrounds is integral to achieving our mission and vision. We celebrate diversity and seek to leverage the passion, energy, and ideas of a culturally diverse team. Our hiring decisions are based on merit, and our hiring and promotion practices comply with all applicable anti-discrimination laws.
