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Senior Director, People Operations
Job Location:
Job Location:
New York City, NY - USA
Yearly Salary:
USD 97000 - 107000
Yearly Salary:
Posted:
29 September 2026 (28 days ago)
Posted:
Application Deadline:
27 December 2026
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Vacancies:
Job Summary
Senior Director People Operations
Reports To: Executive Director
Location: Hybrid (NYC-based)
ABOUT BREAKTHROUGH NEW YORK
Breakthrough New York empowers motivated students from low-income communities to achieve a college degree and reach their fullest potential. Our tuition-free program supports over 500 students and their families from 7th grade through college. We accept middle school students who are furthest from high-quality educational opportunities yet show promise and potential: 99% of students identify as persons of color; 76% identify as English Language Learners; and 56% will be the first in their families to graduate college.
As a ten-year program Breakthrough New York supports students and their families through key transition points in their academic journeys. We provide academic enrichment through summer and after-school opportunities; coach students to gain admissions into selective high schools and colleges and expose students to diverse interests and careers so they can shape their own trajectories.
In addition to nurturing individual talent we cultivate a thriving community of like-minded peers and mentors who encourage each others ambitions and passions. Personalized mentorship and holistic support are signature elements of our model with over 200 near-peer seasonal staff and volunteers who work with students at each stage of our continuum.
The Breakthrough model works: This year 98% of Breakthrough students enrolled in four-year colleges and 97% are on track to graduate from college in four-six years. Learn more at Breakthrough New Yorks website.
ABOUT THE POSITION
As the Senior Director of People Operations your charge is to build manage and enhance talent systems processes to support Breakthrough NYs full-time and seasonal staff. You will lead on all aspects of HR strategy and operations including but not limited to recruiting/retention hiring/onboarding performance management compliance training and partnership with the Executive Director you will oversee the maintenance enhancement of our systems policies and processes to support the employee experience aligned to our core values and strategic priorities. For FY27 this means fully owning the staff development work including people manager support to ensure role clarity and alignment across the organization
Additionally you provide strategic oversight and final accountability for excellent internal operations throughout the organization. You set priorities; approve key systems vendors policies and risk responses; and supervise and coach the Manager Operations & AmeriCorps while your team oversees the people and operational strategies related to our AmeriCorps grant.
You oversee the New York State Commission relationship in collaboration with the Chief Development Officer major compliance and strategic decisions and escalated issues while ensuring your team has the direction support and accountability needed to deliver high-quality timely work.
In addition to these individual responsibilities the SDPO is an important part of a larger team of passionate dedicated individuals. The full team rolls up their sleeves to support all-hands-on-deck initiatives and honors the strengths and experiences of staff students and families both in internal work and external communications.
YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES WILL INCLUDE
Talent Acquisition & Development: 60%
- Support hiring managers in all aspects of the hiring processes - job description review recruitment interview guides materials offer letters and more
- Oversee the rollout of the annual scorecard updates and performance management systems including but not limited to people management support feedback guidance and the annual performance review process
- Design and deliver high quality professional development experiences for staff throughout the year
- Partner with team leads and people managers to assess the current talent on their team(s) identify gaps and/or stretch opportunities provide direct coaching and feedback and determine who needs to be exited and who needs to be retained
- Administer bi-annual staff engagement survey and provide recommendations on area(s) of focus
Orgwide Operations HR Systems Payroll & Compliance: 30%
- Ensure all state and city compliance expectations are met annually in partnership with the Chief of Staff
- Track/mitigate organizational risk related to staff experience in partnership with the Chief of Staff
- Oversee the Employee Handbook potential leaves of absence and employee relations issues to ensure operational excellence across the organization
- Ensure strong accurate payroll including part-time staff payroll processing and benefits administration via our PEO including the management of annual open enrollment process for staff
- Ensure staff members have the materials and equipment necessary to do their job at the highest level in partnership with the Manager Operations & Americorps including but not limited to technology needs (hardware software) systems access supplies (office and off-site) etc
Organizational Leadership (20%)
- Model organizational leadership for others on the team
- Coach and develop the Manager Operations and Americorps while managing the Operations team towards meeting or exceeding their KPIs
- Monitor Operations budget and tools to ensure sound fiscal and systems management
- Meet regularly with heads of departments to review their team needs related to our Talent Philosophy notably talent development and engagement
- Oversee ad hoc staff-led committees including participation on the Culture Committee
- Contribute to the development and execution of BTNYs organizational strategy as an integral member of BTNYs Leadership Team
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelors degree required
- 8 years of work experience including 3 years of HR Talent Recruitment or People Operations experience in a non-profit setting ideally
- Ability to manage complex confidential employee relations issues
- Knowledge of federal state and local employment law (or willingness to learn quickly) preferred
- Experience with PEO benefits and payroll systems preferred
- Experience in leading hiring practices across a range of title bands preferred
- Proficiency in Salesforce or comparable data systems preferred
COMPENSATION
BTNY strongly believes in selecting the top qualified candidates. As a part of your offer you can expect to receive the following:
Annual Salary
$97000 to $107000 commensurate with experience
$97000 to $107000 commensurate with experience
Benefits
- Medical Dental and Vision benefits (90% employer-sponsored)
- 401K/Retirement Plan (with an employer-matching component)
- Paid Time Off: holiday vacation sick and personal time plus paid time off between Christmas and New Years Day
- Initial $800 annual professional development stipend
Key Responsibilities
Talent Acquisition & Development
Orgwide Operations HR Systems Payroll & Compliance
Organizational Leadership
Orgwide Operations HR Systems Payroll & Compliance
Organizational Leadership
Required Experience:
Exec
About Company
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The Breakthrough New York free ten-year program arms students with resources, relationships, and resolve to succeed in high school, college, and beyond.
