Head of Operations

Operational Leadership & Strategy

• Align operations with strategy – proactively assess the organization’s evolving needs based on Shift’s organizational strategy, identifying the policies, processes, and best practices that will drive efficiency, impact and scalability, in consultation with the Executive Team.
• Think and act systemically – develop solutions and frameworks that account for the interconnectedness and interdependencies of all parts of the organization. Build systems that not only drive efficiency but also shape how employees experience their work—what they know, how they feel, and how they take action.
• Drive continuous improvement – identify and implement process enhancements that streamline operations, leveraging technology and outsourcing strategically to optimize efficiency and impact.
• Measure and refine performance – establish data-driven systems and key metrics to monitor, evaluate, and enhance operational effectiveness, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.

Oversight of Human Resources & Talent Management

• Ensure accountability and oversight for human resources management in line with Shift’s strategy, organizational values and team well-being.
• Provide thought partnership and support to the HR Manager in furtherance of their effective management of recruitment, onboarding, performance management, professional development, alignment with relevant labor laws, and to foster a workplace culture that promotes diversity, equity, inclusion and engagement.

Oversight of Financial Management

• Ensure accountability and oversight for sound financial management in line with Shift’s strategy, annual budgets and internal controls.
• Provide thought partnership and support to the Head of Finance in furtherance of their effective management of budgets, financial planning, scenario planning, forecasting and reporting.
• Ensure the provision of financial context to strategic decision-making.

Governance, Compliance and Legal

• Ensure the timely preparation of Board meetings from logistics to agenda and Board packet preparations, in liaison with the Company Secretary and President.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for legal matters, regulatory issues, and insurance.
• Ensure compliance with local and international regulations, donor requirements, and internal policies.
• Support Shift’s leadership with organizational risk management, including maintaining the risk register.

Management of Contracts and Grant Processes

• Ensure the timely preparation, review and negotiation of all routine contracts and grant agreements in line with agreed organizational priorities and in liaison with relevant relationship managers within the Shift team.
• Collaborate with external counsel on more complex contracts, in liaison with Shift’s Vice President and Co-Founder.
• Lead or support the identification of potential new grant providers and the preparation of grant proposals and reports, in liaison with the Executive Team and relevant team members.

IT and Administration

• Oversee the implementation of Shift’s policies on IT administration, infrastructure, data security and digital tools to support remote and in-person work.
• Manage Shift’s Information Technology, including the relationship with external IT providers.
• Manage day-to-day organizational administration, ensuring smooth daily operations.
• As relevant, develop, improve and oversee key systems and processes necessary to support effective programmatic delivery.

Internal Communications

• Lead communication on internal organizational matters – optimize channels to enhance collaboration, ensure employees stay informed on key policies and updates, and facilitate the timely, transparent flow of organization-wide information.
• Drive effective change management - facilitate smooth change management by proactively addressing concerns, reinforcing key messages, and fostering alignment across the organization, working closely with the Executive Team, the HR Manager and others, as appropriate.

Operations Team Leadership

• Build an efficient and effective Operations Team with strong communications and shared problem-solving capabilities.
• Supervise the Head of Finance and HR Manager, providing support, guidance and coaching, as needed, and advancing their professional development.
• Raise any matters requiring Executive Team discussion in a timely manner to facilitate their effective resolution.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.