Operations Officer

The James Irvine Foundation is a private, nonprofit grantmaking foundation dedicated to expanding opportunity for the people of California. The Foundation’s vision is a California where all low-income workers have the power to advance economically. Since 1937, the Foundation has provided more than $2.09 billion in grants to organizations throughout California. The Foundation ended 2021 with more than $3.8 billion in assets and provided $128 million in grants.

We have about 80 staff across our San Francisco and Los Angeles offices. The Foundation is committed, internally and externally, to the values of accountability, curiosity, empathy, equity, nimbleness, partnership, and transparency.

The Operations Officer will serve as an important facilitator, collaborator, and project manager across the Foundation, working on a range of cross-departmental issues and efforts that strengthen and enhance key operational and administrative functions. Successful candidates for this role will possess the skills and abilities to comfortably work independently and across teams, leveraging clear communication and thoughtful relationship management to implement work in an organization that expects partnership and collaboration.

The Operations Officer will balance big-picture thinking with an eye for detail, leveraging their ability to conduct qualitative and quantitative research and analysis in support of planning, facilitating, and executing key projects; preparing clear planning agendas, drafting concise and compelling memos, reports, and presentation materials; and supporting the development and implementation of policies, procedures, and operational approaches that enable the Foundation to successfully achieve its mission.

This role will provide continuous opportunities for professional development and growth for someone interested in furthering their career in operations and is an ideal opportunity to gain first-hand experience in aligning the core operations of Irvine with its strategic vision.

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Operations Officer will also work closely with the Chief of Staff and Planning, operational department leads (Communications, Facilities and Administration, Finance, Grants, Talent, and Technology), and staff across the Foundation.

The Operations Officer:

• Conducts qualitative and quantitative research and analysis. Takes responsibility for identifying information sources, gathering and interpreting data, and sharing findings with Executive and Leadership Teams, operational department leads, and colleagues across the organization. Examples could include developing and compiling staff feedback through surveys/focus groups, reviewing and synthesizing secondary research, engaging in primary interviews and summarizing results, or developing policies and procedures.
  
  Provides powerful facts and analyses to inform key questions and improve strategic decision-making.
• Provides project management leadership by both leading and participating in the planning and execution of projects, including facilitating cross-functional teams.
• Prepares clear and compelling memos, reports, and presentation materials for the Executive and Leadership Teams, and for the board of directors and related committees. Presents findings in a concise and engaging manner to various internal and external constituents.
• Completes administrative and operational tasks across all operational functional areas as needed, including vendor research/selection, contract development/management, and invoice processing.
• Maintains a thorough knowledge of the Foundation’s operations and strategic priorities, to support the planning, triage, and execution of projects.
• Coordinates cross-departmental projects and initiatives to improve operational approaches, centering staff-engagement and feedback in support of strengthening culture and enabling a thoughtful hybrid work environment.

The ideal Operations Officer candidate will possess the following attributes:

• Operations Mindset: a combination of experience and passion for operations, with the ability to think big picture while holding the details front and center. This person experiences joy from improving processes that further organizational impact, leveraging a design-thinking mindset that balances operational effectiveness with a positive user experience.
• Relationship Builder: a credible and humble communicator with a…