Senior Manager, Strategic Operations

Senior Manager, Strategic Operations

About Robin Hood

Founded in 1988, Robin Hood finds, fuels, and creates the most impactful and scalable solutions lifting families out of poverty in New York City. The largest poverty fighting organization in New York City, Robin Hood partners with top nonprofits in New York City and invests in legal services, housing, meals, workforce development training, education programs, and other vital services that give New Yorkers in need the tools they need to build better lives. The programs it funds are often the first of their kind and serve as demonstration models to identify what works before being replicated in other cities. Because its Board of Directors covers 100% of all administrative, fundraising, and evaluation costs, every dollar donated goes directly to organizations helping New Yorkers in need.

Given its long-standing reputation among influencers and support of over 200 New York City non-profit organizations, Robin Hood has the unique ability to be a catalyzing force for households experiencing poverty, bringing distinct constituencies together to develop and spread the most effective strategies to advance economic mobility in New York City and beyond.

Reporting Relationship

The Senior Manager, Strategic Operations is on the Administration team and will report to the Chief Financial and Operating Officer.

Position Overview

The Senior Manager, Strategic Operations is a unique role serving as the only dedicated cross-functional operational resource to support the Chief Financial and Operating Officer (CFOO). This position will work directly with the CFOO to drive initiatives ranging from basic operational improvements to transformative organizational changes across the Finance, IT, Business Intelligence, Facilities, and Legal functions while being available to support critical projects across the organization.

The role demands exceptional versatility, as the Senior Manager, Strategic Operations will tackle an ever-changing portfolio of projects that require multidisciplinary expertise—from leading the development of organization-wide policies to supporting strategic technology initiatives.

While not expected to have deep expertise in any particular functional area, the successful candidate will be a quick learner who excels at leveraging internal expertise and, when needed, identifying and engaging external resources. This is an opportunity for both a strategic and tactical thinker who thrives on variety, excels at translating complexity into actionable plans, and can serve as a trusted extension of the CFOO in advancing operational excellence across Robin Hood.

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Strategic Project Leadership (60%)

• Lead initiatives from conception through implementation, serving as the CFOO's primary project execution partner
• Develop and implement organization-wide policies and procedures
• Drive strategic organizational initiatives that require coordination across multiple departments. Current potential project examples include:
  • Developing and implementing organizational procurement and document retention policies
  • Project managing the organizational AI initiative
  • Supporting Robin Hood’s data strategy initiative
  • Supporting the establishment of Robin Hood’s endowment
  • Supporting Robin Hood’s 2026 office move
• With agreement from the CFOO, support individual functional teams in designing and executing their transformative projects
• Conduct organizational assessments to identify operational improvement opportunities and design solutions
• Provide project management expertise to teams across the organization on an as-needed basis, bringing professional project management methodologies to critical initiatives
• Identify and leverage internal functional expertise and identify external resources when specialized knowledge is required

Cross-Functional Coordination & Administrative Team Collaboration (20%)

• Organize and facilitate regular meetings among administrative teams to enhance collaboration, knowledge sharing and team-building
• Design and implement systems that strengthen cross-functional collaboration across the Finance, IT, Business Intelligence, Facilities, and Legal teams
• Build bridges between administrative functions and program teams to ensure operational decisions support programmatic goals
• Serve as a connector across the organization, breaking down silos and fostering productive working relationships
• Partner with Robin Hood’s program teams to identify and coordinate site visits and participation opportunities for administrative staff to increase exposure to Robin Hood's more direct mission-driven work

CFOO Strategic Support (15%)

• Prepare executive-level presentations and briefing materials that translate complex operational matters into clear, actionable insights
• Serve as a trusted advisor and sounding board to the CFOO on strategic operational matters
• Provide limited analytical and project support for Board committee preparations (Investment Committee; Audit, Finance & Compliance Committee)
• Represent the CFOO in cross-functional meetings and initiatives as needed
• Conduct special research and analysis projects as assigned

Operational Analysis & Continuous Improvement (5%)

• Analyze current processes across administrative functions to identify inefficiencies and recommend improvements
• Develop business cases for new initiatives, including ROI analysis and resource requirements
• Create and maintain comprehensive project documentation, ensuring institutional knowledge is captured and accessible

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required
• 7+ years of experience in project management, management consulting, operations, or related fields
• Demonstrated success leading complex, cross-functional initiatives in medium to large organizations
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, project management tools (ideally Notion), and data analysis platforms
• Strong project management credentials preferred
• Understanding of basic financial concepts, including ROI analysis, budgeting, forecasting, and cost-benefit evaluation, with the ability to translate data into actionable insights.
• Experience with AI tools and emerging technologies preferred
• Outstanding organizational skills with proven ability to manage multiple priorities
• Experience in the nonprofit sector a plus
• Commitment to Robin Hood's poverty-fighting mission

Competencies

• Project Management Excellence
  • Demonstrates mastery of project management methodologies and tools
  • Creates comprehensive project plans with clear milestones, deliverables, and success metrics
  • Monitors progress against objectives and proactively addresses obstacles
  • Manages multiple complex projects simultaneously while maintaining quality and meeting deadlines
  • Facilitates effective collaboration among diverse stakeholder groups

• Strategic Thinking & Problem Solving
  • Ability to see the big picture while managing detailed execution
  • Breaks down complex, ambiguous problems into manageable components
  • Develops innovative solutions that balance ideal outcomes with practical constraints
  • Anticipates challenges and develops mitigation strategies

• Communication & Influence
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with ability to explain complexities in simple terms
  • Adapts communication style to diverse audiences from board members to operational staff
  • Builds trust and credibility quickly across all organizational levels
  • Influences without authority to drive consensus and action

• Technical & Data Competency
  • Proven proficiency with data analysis, technology tools, and AI applications
  • Ability to quickly learn new systems and technologies
  • Uses data to drive decision-making and measure impact
  • Understands the strategic potential of technology in operational improvement

• Adaptability & Learning Agility
  • Thrives in ambiguous, fast-changing environments
  • Ability to quickly develop working knowledge of new subject areas without requiring deep functional expertise
  • Effectively identifies and engages internal subject matter experts and external resources when specialized knowledge is needed
  • Comfortable switching between strategic planning and tactical execution
  • Maintains effectiveness when priorities shift

• Relationship Building & Interpersonal Skills
  • Exceptional interpersonal skills with ability to work effectively with diverse personalities
  • Builds relationships of trust and mutual respect across the organization
  • Demonstrates emotional intelligence and empathy
  • Represents the CFOO professionally in all interactions

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Robin Hood is committed to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and representation in all aspects of its work. As New York City’s largest poverty-fighting organization, Robin Hood believes that building a diverse team is fundamental to its ability to effectively serve and strengthen organizations serving the most vulnerable communities in the city, and to influence the policies that affect them.

Robin Hood believes in the potential that diversity creates – deep and responsive relationships with its community partners; the ability to solve complex problems efficiently and effectively; and, most importantly, the ability of its diverse staff to work to its full capacity.

Robin Hood builds diversity, inclusion, and equity practices into all aspects of its work. Its practices, values, traditions, and beliefs are embedded in the inclusive culture that it creates. Operationally, its formal and informal structures support a work environment that advances the professional development of staff at all levels, allows for innovation, and grounds its work as poverty fighters.

Robin Hood seeks to attract and retain staff that reflects the communities that it serves and is enhanced by its efforts at meaningful inclusion. It ensures that team members are empowered to make decisions, offer actionable feedback, and share credit for team success. Further, Robin Hood seeks to develop talent professionally and has created an intentional focus on mentorship and sponsorship, particularly of junior staff. Its goal is to encourage long term talent retention and engagement, while fostering a culture of innovation.

Robin Hood Guiding Principles

As an organization committed to economic mobility, our work is grounded in the following Guiding Principles:

• Diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Proximity and humanity
• Risk-taking and innovation

Our professional community reflects myriad demographic characteristics, perspectives, and backgrounds, which includes various identities that reflect diversity in gender identity and expression, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, ability, and socioeconomic status. Our colleagues have access to opportunity and advancement, as we promote fair and equitable treatment and have encouraged participation by underrepresented groups. As a team, we promote a sense of belonging, high levels of engagement, and shared respect.

• Robin Hood puts people first. Always.
• Robin Hood is unafraid to take action and create solutions.
• Robin Hood is data driven and heart led.
• Robin Hood works the coat check.

Salary and Benefits

Robin Hood offers a competitive compensation package, with a salary range determined by years of experience, skills, and abilities. Each candidate’s placement within the range will be based on these factors while ensuring alignment with our commitment to equitable internal pay practices.

Our extensive benefits include medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, a 403(b) retirement plan with employer match, and a 12% employer contribution to a 401(a) retirement plan. We also support a healthy work-life balance by providing new hires with 20 days of accrued paid time off. This position is based in New York City and follows a hybrid work environment. Employees are required to work on-site three (3) days per week, with Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday designated as the standard in-office days. Please note that the hybrid schedule is subject to change based on organizational priorities and team needs. Any adjustments will be communicated well in advance.

The salary range for this position is $125,000 - $140,000.

To Apply

Please visit our website to complete our online application.

Robin Hood is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants from diverse backgrounds and identities are encouraged to apply.