Brennan Center for Justice

Senior Manager, Operations and Administration

Brennan Center for Justice$150K — $160K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 3-5 years of progressive operational management experience, preferably in nonprofit organizations
  • Strong knowledge of workplace management and facilities operations
  • Demonstrated experience in project management and cross-functional collaboration
  • Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills for stakeholder engagement
  • Proficiency in budget management and vendor relations
  • Strong analytical skills for continuous improvement initiatives
  • Ability to lead and mentor a small team effectively

Responsibilities

  • Oversee daily operations of New York and Washington DC offices
  • Enhance operational procedures and service standards
  • Identify and mitigate operational risks to improve service delivery
  • Manage office facilities and vendor relationships to ensure seamless operations
  • Lead cross-departmental projects from inception to completion
  • Monitor expenditures and oversee the departmental budget
  • Create an engaging employee experience through consistent operational practices

Benefits

  • Generous time off program
  • 401k plan with employer contributions
  • Comprehensive health insurance including medical, dental, and vision
  • Wellness initiatives and office perks
  • Employee feedback influences benefits offerings
Full Job Description
Position Overview:
We are hiring a Senior Manager, Operations and Administration to lead the day-to-day management of all operational functions that enable the Brennan Center to operate efficiently across its New York and Washington, DC offices. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), this role serves as the operational leader for workplace operations, facilities, organizational systems, vendor management, capital projects, and cross-functional initiatives that improve employee experience and organizational effectiveness.

The position partners closely with Office of the President, Finance, IT, HR, and departmental leaders to develop scalable operational processes, oversee strategic projects, and ensure operational excellence across the organization.

The Senior Manager, Operations and Administration supervises the Office Manager and Administrative Assistant (Reception & Office Operations) in the New York office and provides operational leadership to the Washington DC Administration and Projects Manager to ensure consistent standards and service delivery across locations.

Note: This position is in-office 5 days/week andis based at our headquarters in New York City.This role may occasionally require supporting early morning or evening events.

Responsibilities:
Operational Leadership
  • Lead day-to-day workplaces operations across the New York and Washington DC offices
  • Develop and continuously improve operational policies, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and service standards
  • Build scalable operational processes that improve efficiency and employee experience
  • Identify operational risks and implement solutions to improve service delivery
  • Partner with department leaders to anticipate operational needs and organizational growth

Facilities & Workplace Management
  • Serve as primary liaison with building management, landlords, contractors, and facilities vendors
  • Oversee office maintenance, repairs, furniture, workplace technology coordination, and vendor performance
  • Lead office expansion, renovation, relocation, and capital improvement projects
  • Develop workplace standards that promote collaboration, safety, accessibility, and productivity
  • Ensure compliance with workplace safety, emergency preparedness, and security procedures

Project & Program Management
  • Lead cross-functional operational initiatives from planning through implementation
  • Develop project plans, timelines, milestones, and reporting for strategic initiatives
  • Convene and facilitate cross-departmental working groups
  • Monitor project progress, identify risks, and ensure accountability across stakeholders
  • Support organizational change management and implementation of new operational systems

Budget & Vendor Management
  • Manage Operations departmental budget
  • Monitor operational expenditures and capital project budgets
  • Review invoices, purchase requests, and payment approvals
  • Lead vendor sourcing, contract negotiations, and ongoing performance management
  • Identify cost-saving opportunities while maintaining high service levels

Organizational Systems & Continuous Improvement
  • Oversee organization-wide operational systems including:
    • Travel program
    • Internal communication tools
    • Shared calendars
    • Workplace procedures
    • Operational documentation
    • Staff resources libraries
  • Partner with HR and IT to improve onboarding and operational workflows
  • Evaluate and implement workplace technologies that improve efficiency

Employee Experience
  • Support board meetings, internal meetings, and organizational events
  • Develop operational standards that create a consistent employee experience
  • Partner with Office of the President, Development, HR and Communications to support organizational events and employee experience initiatives

People Leadership
  • Manage Supervises the Office Manager and Administrative Assistant (Reception & Office Operations) in the New York office.
  • Provides operational leadership to the Washington DC Office Administration and Projects Manager.
  • Coach, mentor, and develop team members.
  • Establish performance expectations and operational standards.
  • Ensure consistent service delivery across both offices.


Qualifications:

  • 1-3 years of experience in accounting, which may include internships, academic accounting projects, or relevant coursework, preferably in the nonprofit sector
  • Bachelor's degree with a major in accounting or finance
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
  • Strong attention to detail and accuracy in work
  • Resourceful and efficient
  • Ability to work independently and in a team environment
  • Experience exercising discretion and maintain confidentiality with regard to company accounts
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, including VLOOKUPs and pivot tables
  • Experience using Abila MIP (nonprofit) accounting software preferred
  • Basic understanding of US GAAP and accounting principles


We are committed to considering a wide range of candidates, including those with diverse experiences and backgrounds. Whether you are new to the nonprofit law and policy sector, returning to work after a gap in employment, looking to make a career transition, or seeking to advance your professional path, we welcome your application.

If you're uncertain about meeting 100 percent of our qualifications, we encourage you to apply anyway. In your cover letter, please describe your interest in the position and what you hope to contribute to the role.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage interested applicants to apply early, as the position will be filled once a qualified candidate is identified.

Application Instructions:
To apply, please visit >>this link<< and upload the following documents: (1) a cover letter, (2) resume, and (3) contact information for three references.

Please, no phone calls or faxes; it is strongly preferred that you apply on our website. If you have difficulty uploading these items as one document, e-mail them to [email protected] with "Senior Manager, Operations and Administration" in the subject line.

Compensation and Benefits:
The Brennan Center is a fantastic workplace! We offer competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package that is regularly assessed based on workplace trends and employee feedback.

The salary range assigned for this role is $150,000 - $160,000 and has been determined based on market competitiveness. We determine our salary ranges based on market competitiveness and internal equity for each job. The salary offered a selected candidate will be contingent upon the candidate's experience, qualifications and internal equity considerations. Additionally, we offer generous time off program, 401k plan, comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, and vision), and wellness and office perks.

About Brennan Center for Justice

The Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law is a nonprofit law and public policy institute. The organization is named after Supreme Court Justice William J. Brennan Jr. Generally considered liberal, the Brennan Center advocates for a number of progressive public policy positions, including raising the minimum wage, opposing restrictive voter ID laws, and calling for public funding of elections. The organization opposed the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Citizens United v. FEC, which held that the First Amendment prohibits the government from restricting independent political expenditures by nonprofits. The organization's stated mission is to "work to hold our political institutions and laws accountable to the twin American ideals of democracy and equal justice for all." Its president is Michael Waldman, former speechwriter for President Bill Clinton.
Learn more about Brennan Center for Justice

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