Head of Business Operations and Risk Management

Head of Business Operations and Risk ManagementLocation: Remote; North America Reports to: Executive DirectorSUMMARYThe Head of Business Operations and Risk Management is a senior enterprise and transformation leader responsible for strengthening and evolving the organization's business operating model, governance framework, and risk and compliance capabilities; oversight of high-quality, trusted global programs, certifications, and ecosystem services.Reporting to the Executive Director, this role serves as a strategic advisor and execution partner to the executive leadership team, leading enterprise operational transformation initiatives and ensuring that business operations, policies, processes, and controls effectively support organizational strategy, contractual/regulatory obligations, and Executive Committee expectations.This leader oversees the organization's enterprise risk management and internal control environment, compliance and sanctions oversight, contract governance, and third-party and vendor management. The role also provides executive sponsorship for organizational quality and operational excellence functions, including the internal quality management system and certification activities, and ensures the integrity and consistency of certification programs, product listings, and public-facing registers.The Head of Business Operations and Risk Management maintains deep working knowledge of the organization's bylaws and governance framework and ensures operational compliance by internal teams and applicable ecosystem participants. Through strong executive partnership, disciplined governance, and continuous improvement, this role enables scalable operations, reliable delivery, and sustained trust across the organization's global stakeholder community.ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESAct as a trusted advisor to the Executive Director and leadership team on business operations, risk, and governance.Serve as the executive sponsor for cross-functional operational transformation initiatives and major change programs.Contribute to enterprise planning, organizational transformation initiatives, program/process performance and quality management.Maintain deep knowledge of the organization's bylaws and governance framework, overseeing operational compliance by internal teams and applicable ecosystem participants.Own and maintain enterprise policies and procedures, ensuring they are practical, current, consistently applied, and aligned to the organization's mission, regulatory environment, and operating model.Establish and maintain an internal control environment and enterprise risk management framework suitable for a global, mission-driven organization.Oversee compliance with laws, regulations, contractual obligations, and program requirements, including sanctions and restricted-party processes.Oversee contract governance and lifecycle management, ensuring contracts support program delivery, stakeholder expectations, and organizational risk posture.Lead vendor, contractor, and partner relationships, including onboarding, performance management, and renewal processes, establishing expectations and metrics for reliable delivery.Serve as executive sponsor for quality and operational excellence functions, including internal quality management system and certification activities, ensuring trust, consistency, and credibility across programs.Provide operational oversight leadership of organizations and entities authorized or certified to perform assessments or maintain product listings aligned with the organization's standards.WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE Robust leadership in oversight of core functions with a mindset of continuous improvement.Mature performance metrics, OKRs, and KRIs that convey value-driven results.Measurable improvements in delivery effectiveness, decision-making speed, and operational consistency.Strong, collaborative vendor and partner relationships with transparent expectations.Practical and current policies and procedures that enable delivery and scale.A mature, right-sized internal control and enterprise risk management framework.High confidence in the quality, integrity, and credibility of certification programs and public-facing registers.SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIREDGraduate degree in Business, Operations, Engineering, or related field.15 years of operational leadership experience in business operations, including risk management, process design and implementation, and continuous process improvement.15 years of people leadership experience.Senior leadership experience in business operations, enterprise programs, governance, risk management, compliance, or organizational effectiveness.Strong background in policies, procedures, agreements, and contracts, skilled at implementing practices that drive change.Experience managing vendors, outsourced services, and operational partners.Practical experience designing and operating enterprise risk management, internal control, and compliance programs.Experience within standards organizations, certification bodies, regulated environments, or trust-based ecosystems is preferred.Experience leading change in matrix organizations with diverse stakeholders and global operations.Strong executive communication skills with the ability to influence and collaborate across teams.LEADERSHIP PROFILEThe successful candidate will be a strategic, hands-on transformation leader who is operationally rigorous, highly collaborative, and trusted by peers. They will be comfortable working across product, technology, legal, finance, education, and engagement functions and able to balance structure, risk management, and quality with organizational agility and innovation.The starting minimum salary for this role is $275,000 USD annually, plus bonus. The final compensation will be based on skills, experience, geographic location, and other relevant factors.

Salary : $275,000