Director of Operations

Cancer changes lives overnight. Cancer Pathways makes sure no one has to navigate it alone. We provide prevention education, peer support programs, camps, workshops, and community connection for anyone touched by cancer including patients, survivors, caregivers, and families.

We are growing. Which means we need someone who can build structure, drive execution, and make sure nothing falls through the cracks.

We’re hiring a Director of Operations who thrives on turning plans into action, keeping teams aligned, and building systems that actually work. This role is equal parts strategic project manager, systems builder, and hands-on operator.

If you love creating order out of complexity and being the person who sees around corners and makes everything run better, keep reading.

The systems you build and the discipline you drive will ultimately impact thousands of people facing cancer each year.

Why This Role Exists

The Director of Operations ensures the organization executes with clarity and follow-through. You will take big goals and translate them into timelines, processes, dashboards, and results. And yes, you’ll also make sure the mail gets opened, checks are tracked, and data is entered accurately. In a growing nonprofit, both strategy and detail matter.

What You’ll Own

1. Organizational Execution & Project Management

• Serve as the cross-functional project lead across key initiatives
• Ensure each team has documented plans, goals, and work back schedules
• Track deliverables and flag risks early
• Keep leadership meetings focused on decisions and accountability
• Build simple dashboards to track KPIs across programs, development, and events

1. Systems, Process & Infrastructure

• Create templates, tools, and workflows that improve efficiency
• Strengthen internal processes for tracking donors, sponsors, and event data
• Improve data accuracy and reporting across systems
• Maintain visibility into organization-wide priorities and timelines
• Build operational structure as we scale

1. Data & Financial Coordination

• Oversee daily mail processing, including tracking incoming checks
• Ensure accurate and timely data entry for donations and sponsorships, in partnership with the development and events teams
• Coordinate closely with finance and development to maintain accurate records ready for audit
• Support reporting needs tied to fundraising and program impact

1. Executive & Leadership Support

• Attend staff meeting and ensure follow-up
• Help align the Executive Director’s time to stay focused on top priorities
• Act as in-person point of contact when the Executive Director is not in the office
• Support internal communications and help with presentations as needed

1. Office & Team Operations

• Ensure the Seattle office runs smoothly
• Coordinate with vendors or facilities manager when issues arise
• Help plan leadership retreats and team off-sites
• Strengthen cross-team communication and collaboration

Who You Are

• • Highly organized and systems-oriented
  • Detail-driven without losing sight of the big picture
  • Comfortable balancing strategic thinking with hands-on work
  • Calm under pressure and able to manage multiple priorities
  • A strong communicator who can keep teams aligned
  • Resourceful and proactive, you don’t wait to be told what to fix
  • Comfortable in growth mode and willing to build structure as we go

You are not above rolling up your sleeves.

You take pride in clean data, clear timelines, and successful completion of projects.

Experience & Skills

• • 5+ years of experience in operations, project management, nonprofit management, or similar roles
  • Experience improving systems and workflows in a growing organization
  • Strong project management skills with proven follow-through
  • Comfortable managing data and working with donor or CRM systems
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Experience with QuickBooks preferred

Nonprofit experience is a plus. A builder mindset is essential.

This Role Is For You If…

• • You love building structure where it doesn’t yet exist
  • You enjoy both strategy and execution
  • You believe details matter
  • You get satisfaction from seeing teams aligned and projects delivered on time
  • You are comfortable being the operational backbone of a mission-driven organization

If you’re looking for pure strategy with no execution, this isn’t the role.

If you love making things work, really work, we’d love to meet you.

Benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plan (403B), paid holidays and paid time off.

English required, additional language a plus