Director of Operations

Donor Nexus is a mission-driven company in the fertility space. We coordinate egg donors, intended parents, clinics, attorneys, and labs through a process that is medically complex, emotionally significant, and operationally detailed. Our edge is execution. We earn trust by being responsive, organized, proactive, and deeply reliable for both our clients and our internal team.

We’re looking for a high-accountability operator who can run the day-to-day operations of a fast-moving fertility business with ownership, follow-through, judgment, and calm execution.

What you’ll own

You’ll lead the operational engine of the business. The CEO sets direction and growth priorities; you ensure those priorities are executed consistently and effectively across the organization.

This includes:

• Direct management and coaching of the operations team
• Maintaining operational visibility across active cases, timelines, and handoffs
• Identifying and resolving blockers before they become larger issues
• Reinforcing high standards around responsiveness, communication quality, and follow-through
• Acting as the primary escalation point for operational issues and resolving most independently
• Creating clarity around ownership, accountability, and execution across the team
• Supporting operational continuity when the CEO is out of office
• Partnering cross-functionally with leadership on systems, workflows, and client experience

What this role is — and what it isn’t

This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who likes being close to the work and leading from within the operation.

You’ll spend time:

• Reviewing communication quality
• Identifying where processes are breaking down
• Helping the team navigate complex situations
• Ensuring important details do not fall through the cracks
• Improving workflows through day-to-day operational leadership
• Identifying opportunities for automation and AI solutions that help the team work smarter, not harder

This is not a highly abstract or purely strategic role. We are not looking for someone who wants to spend their first six months building frameworks detached from execution. We already have systems and processes in place. We need someone who can operate within them effectively, strengthen them over time, and help the team execute at a consistently high level.

Who thrives here

Strong operational judgment You know how to distinguish what is urgent, what is important, and what can wait — and you help the team operate with that same clarity. You have a bias for getting stuff done. You can get it done yourself, and will, but you know when to delegate. 

High follow-through You close loops reliably and consistently. Your team trusts that things you own will get done because that's what they see.

Reduces cognitive load for leadership You communicate proactively, surface what matters, filter what doesn’t, and help leadership stay focused on growth rather than operational chasing. You are comfortable managing a high volume of moving pieces while keeping leadership informed in a concise, structured way.

Calm and steady under pressure You can navigate emotionally sensitive situations with professionalism, warmth, and composure. You’re a go-getter who can juggle many different things without any of them dropping.

Clear communicator You communicate clearly and concisely in Slack, meetings, and writing. You create clarity rather than noise. Trust is foundational to our business — internally and externally. We value people who take ownership, communicate clearly, follow through consistently, and care deeply about the quality of the experience they create for others.

Technically fluent You’re comfortable working in modern operational tools, including Slack, Monday.com, Mac-based systems, and AI-assisted workflows that improve speed and execution. If you don’t know how to do something, you figure it out and level everyone else up around you.

Comfortable in a founder-led environment You can operate in a business where priorities move quickly, decisions happen fast, and adaptability matters. You are passionate about bringing the founder’s vision to life and know when to pull her in on decision-making (and when not to). 

What success looks like in the first 90 days 

• The operations team has a strong, steady leader they trust
• Operational ownership is clearer across the business
• Cases move forward more consistently with fewer surprises and delays
• Communication quality with donors and intended parents is stronger and more consistent
• Leadership is pulled into fewer operational escalations
• Team accountability and follow-through improve measurably

Background we expect

• 7–12 years in operations leadership, service operations, or team management
• Experience leading in fast-moving, people-centered businesses
• Strong people management and coaching instincts
• Comfortable managing in-person teams and operational complexity
• Strong organizational and execution skills
• Experience in healthcare, fertility, legal coordination, or similarly regulated service businesses is helpful but not required

How we work This role requires someone who communicates proactively and operates with strong visibility and follow-through. The CEO should not need to chase updates, ask where things stand, or wonder whether priorities were captured correctly. Strong operators create confidence through clarity, responsiveness, and consistent communication.

What makes someone exceptional in this role

The strongest operators in this role:

• Move quickly without sacrificing detail
• Are highly responsive and organized
• Build trust through consistency and follow-through
• Are excellent at using operational tools and technology to increase visibility and efficiency
• Bring practical ideas from previous experience that improve workflows and team execution
• Proactively identify risks, gaps, or stalled items before they become larger problems

The best operators in this role are proactive, highly communicative, detail-oriented, and naturally responsive. They don’t wait to be asked. They anticipate needs, close loops quickly, and create confidence through consistent follow-through.

If you’re someone who loves bringing order to complexity, improving how teams operate, and making life easier for the people around you, you’ll likely thrive here.

Newport Beach, CA | In-office Monday–Thursday 

$140,000–$160,000 base performance bonus