Director of Strategic Operations

Director of Strategic Operations

Hybrid Role – Houston, TX | Mission-Driven Nonprofit

Connective is seeking a Director of Strategic Operations to join the leadership team during a critical phase of organizational growth. In this role, you will be a strategic leader pivotal to building, managing, and sustaining a high-functioning, agile internal operations infrastructure for a newly independent non-profit that is rapidly growing its team and geographic footprint. Your primary focus will be to manage the expansion of the Connective team, both in capabilities and locations, to support the organization’s mission in new geographies.

Why You’ll Love Working for Connective

We care deeply about people, both the communities we serve and the team we build together. You’ll be part of a mission-driven organization working to make social services more accessible, empathetic, and connected, alongside colleagues who bring curiosity, compassion, and a strong sense of purpose to their work every day. Our best-in-class benefits package includes:

• Competitive Pay: Annual salary range is $115,000–$130,000, depending on experience. Annual bonuses are offered based on your contributions and performance.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical, dental, vision, short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance starting on day one
• Retirement Planning: 401(k) plan with employer match of up to 6%
• Flexible Financial Options: Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) available
• Time Off & Well-Being: 20 days of PTO/floating holidays plus 11 paid company holidays to support rest, recharge, and life outside of work
• Parental Leave: 8 weeks at 100% pay, 4 weeks at 50% pay, plus up to 4 additional unpaid weeks; includes adoption of a child
• Employee Support: Access to a comprehensive Employee Assistance Program (EAP), including mental health and legal resources for you and your family
• Flexible Work: Work-from-anywhere for up to one week at a time, with additional flexibility in summer and winter; option to work remotely from anywhere in the U.S. after three years (with Houston working hours)

At Connective, we’re committed to creating an environment where you feel supported, trusted, and empowered to grow. Your ideas and perspective will matter here. We prioritize collaboration over hierarchy, encourage learning and experimentation, and make space for balance so you can show up as your full self at work and beyond.

To thrive, you should have:

• Bachelor’s degree required in Business Administration, Nonprofit Management, Finance, Operations, or related field, or equivalent professional experience; Master’s preferred.
• 8–10 years of operations, business operations, or nonprofit management experience, including 3–5 years in senior leadership roles within startups or scaling organizations
• Demonstrated expertise in financial operations, HR systems, compliance, contract management, and enterprise tools (e.g., ERP, HRIS, project management platforms)
• Ability to travel as needed for organizational expansion, stakeholder engagement, and multi-site operations; bilingual or multilingual proficiency is a plus

What we’re looking for:

• Proven operational builder with experience designing and scaling agile, high-performing internal systems in startups or rapidly growing nonprofit environments
• Human-centered leader who prioritizes employee engagement, effectiveness, and culture while ensuring systems and workflows scale without losing the people focus
• Experienced in managing organizational expansion across new geographies, ensuring operational readiness and alignment of infrastructure with evolving programs and services
• Trusted change management leader skilled in cross-functional collaboration, executive partnership, and translating complex operational strategy into clear, actionable execution plans
• Versatile operations expert across finance, HR, legal, and IT with strong vendor management, risk mitigation, compliance oversight, and team development and coaching capabilities

Responsibilities as the Director of Strategic Operations will include

• Lead strategic operations, organizational infrastructure, and cross-functional systems (HR, Finance, Legal, IT, Procurement) to support nonprofit growth, scalability, and operational excellence
• Design and implement scalable processes, workflows, and internal systems to improve efficiency, employee experience, and service delivery in a high-growth environment
• Oversee financial management, compliance, contract administration, risk mitigation, and vendor management (PEO, legal counsel, IT providers, consultants)
• Drive change management, internal communications, and organizational readiness for geographic expansion and new program launches
• Manage, mentor, and develop high-performing teams through leadership coaching, workforce planning, and performance management strategies

About Connective

Connective is a Houston-based civic technology, design, and collective action nonprofit working to make social services more connected, empathetic, and accessible. We design human-centered programs, build innovative tools for providers, and drive community-wide change to improve how people access support.

Today, getting help is often difficult and dehumanizing—especially as climate risks and economic pressures grow. We envision a future where communities are resilient, crises are anticipated, and people can access support with dignity. By partnering across sectors, we turn barriers into bridges and expand access for those who need it most.

Ready to build the systems that power meaningful change?

Join Connective and help reimagine how communities access support. Apply today to shape the future of human-centered social services.

This role is not eligible for employer visa sponsorship.

Connective is firmly committed to building a diverse team that reflects the communities we serve. We value your unique experiences and strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ individuals, women, minorities, people with disabilities, system-impacted people, veterans, and people of all ages to apply. Connective is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, or any protected category prohibited by local, state, or federal laws.