About the role
The Position
Ballotpedia is seeking a full-time, 100% remote Director of Operations to lead and scale our Operations Department. Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, this senior leader position is critical to Ballotpedia's growth and financial health. You will drive strategic operations, lead a high-performing team, and partner with leadership across the organization to ensure operational excellence and sound financial governance.
The ideal candidate is deeply committed to Ballotpedia's work helping voters and our readers navigate complex information terrains. They combine strategic thinking with hands-on execution, bring fiscal discipline and analytical rigor to complex decisions, and excel at building trust and alignment across teams. They are comfortable navigating ambiguity in a mission-driven nonprofit environment and have a proven track record of scaling operations and building strong teams.
Responsibilities
As our Director of Operations, you will:
Human Resources & Talent Management
Design and implement hiring processes that attract and retain top talent
Guide salary negotiations
Partner with managers to manage staff performance and assist with team development
Oversee annual performance review processes and training programs for managers
Integrate Ballotpedia's core values into all stages of the employee life cycle
Review benefits structures, recommend updates, and oversee benefits administration
Own Ballotpedia's compensation philosophy and structure
Manage payroll systems and ensure tax and regulatory requirements are met.
Oversee contract labor acquisition, maintain contractor records, and report on key contractor metrics.
Finance, Budget & Financial Leadership
Develop and maintain financial dashboards tracking key metrics
Produce monthly financial reports translating data into actionable insights and strategic implications
Monitor Ballotpedia's financial health and proactively flag risks or opportunities
Build financial models to evaluate ROI on expansion initiatives and strategic investments before implementation.
Lead annual budget development
Develop rolling cash flow forecasts and scenario models to inform reserve strategy and proactive financial decision-making
Oversee all financial operations including accounting, payroll, AP/AR, cash management, and financial compliance
Compliance, Legal & Risk Management
Maintain Ballotpedia's state and federal compliance, proactively identifying new legal and regulatory requirements
Maintain workers' compensation policies at national and state levels; ensure no lapses in required registrations or insurance
Coordinate FMLA, ADA, and other compliance-related processes; identify new laws that may impact Ballotpedia
Manage legal claims and lawsuits; coordinate with outside counsel on contract reviews and personnel matters
Maintain organizational insurance policies and make recommendations on coverage adjustments
Department Leadership & Administration
Mentor, coach, and develop Operations department personnel
Schedule and facilitate departmental meetings and oversee annual and quarterly goals.
Maintain organizational systems and tools, manage user access and permissions across platforms
Supervise planning of Board meetings and coordinate in-person team meetings
Skills and Qualifications
An ideal Director of Operations will possess:
Deep commitment to Ballotpedia's mission and a demonstrated ability to exemplify organizational values
5+ years of experience in operations, finance, HR, or a related field in a nonprofit, mission-driven, or fast-growing organization
Demonstrated expertise in financial management, budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow analysis
Strong understanding of/experience in human resources, talent management, and organizational development
Knowledge of nonprofit compliance, employment law, and risk management
Excellent communicator who can articulate complex concepts clearly and build alignment across teams
Strategic thinker who combines analytical rigor with practical problem-solving and proactive decision-making
Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and develop high-performing teams in a remote environment
Comfort with ambiguity and the ability to navigate change in a fast-moving nonprofit environment
Experience with Google Suite, Slack, and project management tools; interest in or experience with AI tools is a plus
Environment
The Director of Operations will work remotely from their home location. All Ballotpedia staff work remotely. To join Ballotpedia, you must have a computer with Internet access. Ballotpedia utilizes Google Suite (Gmail, Google Calendar, Drive, and more), Slack, and Asana to achieve our goals. Some familiarity with the Google Suite, Slack, and Asana is helpful.
Ballotpedia offers a flexible work environment, BP Flex, which allows every employee to enjoy unlimited vacation and flexibility in scheduling. Each employee will be oriented to the principles of Ballotpedia’s flexible environment during new employee training. Ballotpedia uses the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS).
Compensation
The starting pay range for the Director of Operations is $120,000-135,000, commensurate with experience.
In addition to salary, Ballotpedia offers an annual benefits stipend equivalent to $8,000 that is paid out in equal increments in each paycheck once an employee becomes benefits eligible. The stipend may be used to pay for a full benefits package, including health, vision, and dental insurance; retirement accounts; and more. If benefits are not elected, the stipend is taxed as regular income and added to salary.
To Apply
To apply please visit our job opportunities page and complete an application on our website. Please attach the following in PDF format if possible:
résumé
cover letter detailing your interest in Ballotpedia’s mission/this position
Please ensure that either your résumé or your cover letter includes your current address.
Please note that if you are hired for this position, Ballotpedia participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Ballotpedia is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9. For more information on E-Verify, or if you believe that your employer has violated its E-Verify responsibilities, please contact DHS.
About Ballotpedia
Ballotpedia is a mission-driven organization dedicated to providing Americans with accurate, relevant, and unbiased information about politics, elections, and public policy. Our mission is to ensure that the only unknown on your ballot is who gets your vote. We value innovation, humility, intellectual curiosity, drive, and a collaborative spirit, and are committed to continuously improving our offerings to better serve our audiences, readers, and candidates.
Originally posted on Himalayas