Senior Director of Operations

POSITION: Senior Director of Operations

REPORTS TO: Vice President of Community Programs and Operations

LOCATION: Providence, RI

STATUS: Full-time, Exempt

SCHEDULE: Full-time Monday through Friday schedule, with some flexibility required on nights and weekends.

COMPENSATION: $100,000 per year, depending on experience. Access to Sojourner House’s employee benefits, which include paid holidays, accrued paid leave time, health/dental insurance, a 401(k) plan and employer match, an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), life insurance, and long-term disability insurance.

ABOUT US:  Sojourner House is a nonprofit organization based in Rhode Island dedicated to supporting survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. Through comprehensive services—including safe housing, advocacy, prevention education, and community programs—Sojourner House works to promote safety, empower individuals, and create pathways to independence. Guided by a mission rooted in equity and compassion, the organization strives to build a world where all people can live free from abuse and oppression.

BASIC FUNCTION:  The Senior Director of Operations is a mission-driven leader responsible for strengthening and streamlining Sojourner House’s operational infrastructure as the agency continues to grow. This senior-level position oversees agency-wide operational systems related to office management, property management, maintenance, and affordable housing development. The Senior Director will supervise key team members including the Office Manager, Housing Developer, and Maintenance Team, and will help ensure that Sojourner House’s multiple office locations and residential buildings are well-managed, safe, compliant, and aligned with programmatic and strategic goals. The ideal candidate is both detail-oriented and strategic, with the ability to create and implement systems, build cross-departmental collaboration, and solve complex challenges in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Organizational Operations

• Oversee the day-to-day functioning of Sojourner House’s administrative and operational
  systems across all agency locations.
• Supervise and support the Office Coordinator, ensuring effective coordination of supplies,
  equipment, internal communications systems, and workspace environments.
• Collaborate with the VP of Community Programs and Operations to improve cross-office
  systems that promote staff productivity, safety, and well-being.
• Participate in organization-wide planning efforts, including space planning, systems
  development, and long-range operations strategy.

Affordable Housing Development

• Supervise the Housing Developer and provide strategic leadership on the agency’s affordable
  housing projects—from acquisition and rehab through lease-up and occupancy.
• Partner with the CEO and VP to identify and evaluate housing development opportunities
  aligned with the agency’s mission and strategic goals.
• Coordinate with funders, architects, contractors, municipal departments, and legal counsel to
  navigate financing mechanisms building codes, and timelines.
• Support development of project budgets and funding applications for new capital projects.

Property and Asset Management

• Provide strategic oversight of the agency’s property management functions in collaboration
  with the maintenance team and program staff.
• Oversee maintenance staff to ensure that agency-owned buildings and offices are clean,
  functional, and in good repair.
• Track work orders, preventive maintenance, and capital improvement needs across properties.
• Monitor compliance with regulatory and funder requirements related to building safety,
  accessibility, and habitability.

Team Supervision and Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Supervise a cross-disciplinary operations team, including staff responsible for facilities, office
  coordination, housing development, and day-to-day property maintenance.
• Build strong partnerships with finance, HR, legal support, housing, and shelter teams to ensure
  smooth operations across the organization.
• Help establish shared protocols and systems for interdepartmental coordination and
  communication.

Strategic Planning and Leadership

• Lead the development of scalable operations systems to support the agency’s rapid growth.
• Identify opportunities for improving operational efficiencies, risk mitigation, and cost-
  effectiveness.
• Collaborate with senior leaders on emergency preparedness, risk management, technology
  systems, and sustainability initiatives.
• Represent the agency with external partners, vendors, and community stakeholders as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS:

While no candidate is expected to meet every single qualification, an ideal candidate will possess
the majority of the skills and experiences listed below.

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree or equivalent professional experience strongly
  preferred.
• At least 7–10 years of relevant leadership experience in operations, housing development,
  and/or property management.
• Demonstrated experience supervising diverse teams and managing cross-functional projects.
• Familiarity with affordable housing development financing, compliance, and property
  operations.
• Excellent judgment and organizational skills, with the ability to balance short-term logistics and
  long-term planning.
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving abilities.
• Comfort navigating ambiguity, fast-paced environments, and growing organizations.
• Passion for Sojourner House’s mission and values, and a commitment to creating equitable,
  survivor-centered spaces.
• Reliable transportation and valid driver’s license required.
• Must pass a BCI background check.

SCHEDULE, WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• This is a full-time, on-site position. Travel to other offices and agency-owned buildings throughout the state will be required. Some evening and weekend hours may be necessary to meet agency needs.
• The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made as necessary.
  • Regularly required to stand; sit; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands; and talk or hear
  • The employee must be able to carry objects weighing 10-25 pounds occasionally
  • Frequently required to walk and climb several sets of stairs
  • Must be able to drive; frequent travel to other locations is required
  • The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate and the environment is sometimes chaotic

TO APPLY: Please send a resume, cover letter, and list of three professional/work references to our search partners at The Hire, Holly Wentworth at holly@thehire.com with “Sojourner House Sr Dir Ops” in the subject line.  Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so early submission of materials is encouraged.  No phone calls, please. 

Sojourner House is an equal-opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

To learn more about Sojourner House, please visit our website:  www.sojournerri.org.