Director of Operations
A Washington, DC-based 501(c)(3) technology think tank that conducts research, policy engagement, events, talent programs, and technical-tool work spanning frontier AI, governance, energy and infrastructure, and science and innovation.
Funding history
About The Foundation for American Innovation
The Foundation for American Innovation (FAI) works to connect technologists and policymakers and improve U.S. governance of innovation. It describes outputs including research, commentary, legislative engagement, technical tools, convenings, and talent-development programs. It was established in 2014 as Lincoln Labs/Lincoln Network and refounded as FAI in 2023.
Skills
Candidate Availability
Required and preferred rules are kept separate and reflect the wording in the original posting.
About the Role
You will oversee payroll, budgeting, financial reporting, contracts, vendors, insurance, human-resources systems, and risk management. You will maintain compliance, support grant reporting, manage core HR processes, and build scalable systems for organizational operations.
Requirements
- At least seven years of experience
- Experience in nonprofit operations, finance, or human resources
- Experience aligning priorities across departments and projects
- Experience overseeing payroll, benefits administration, and personnel policies
- Understanding of GAAP, nonprofit compliance, and audit processes
- Experience managing budgets across grants, programs, and restricted and unrestricted funds
- Familiarity with federal grant or philanthropic reporting requirements
- Proficiency with QuickBooks, Airtable, and SaaS finance and operations tools
- Experience improving processes and building scalable systems
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to frequently navigate multiple flights of stairs throughout the workday in a multi-story facility without elevator access
Responsibilities
- Oversee payroll, budgeting, and financial reporting
- Support resource allocation, grant budgeting, and long-term financial planning
- Design and maintain scalable operational processes
- Oversee contracts, vendor management, insurance, HR systems, and risk management
- Ensure compliance with nonprofit regulations, grant terms, and employment law
- Support restricted fund management and institutional reporting
- Oversee HR functions, benefits administration, training, and personnel policies
- Support recruitment, onboarding, and performance management
- Partner on talent management, compensation benchmarking, team building, and benefits administration
Benefits
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) match up to 6%
- $1,000 annual book credit
- Monthly commuter benefit
- Unlimited vacation policy
