Vice President of Operations

About the Organization

Pure Earth is an international nonprofit focused on protecting public health and supporting development by cutting exposure to lead and other harmful pollutants. The organization works alongside governments to integrate evidence-based and sustainable solutions into public systems at national scale. Through data-driven action, technical expertise, and local partnerships, it develops and implements practical interventions that reduce pollution and poisoning risks, improve response systems, and contribute to long-term health and economic progress.

Role Overview

The Vice President of Operations is a senior leadership position responsible for strengthening operational performance across Pure Earth’s global network. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, this role turns organizational strategy into efficient, compliant, and scalable operating systems that support program delivery and organizational growth. The role also helps shape and continuously improve global operations so that regional teams, functional teams, and strategic priorities remain aligned.

As a member of the senior leadership team, this leader acts as a strategic partner to the COO and as a key connector across operations, country offices, and global departments. The position includes decision-making authority over several operational areas, such as legal, IT/tech, administration, operations, facilities, risk, budgeting, financial approvals, and contracts, within approved organizational limits. It also combines department strategy, planning, hands-on project management, and execution of departmental work.

This role currently manages a small, adaptable team that includes an Operations Officer / Office Manager, a Digital Workspace Manager, and a Director of Legal & Risk / General Counsel.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and improve global operations so they continue to support strategic priorities and organizational growth.
• Convert enterprise strategy into multi-year and annual operating plans, roadmaps, and execution structures.
• Build and maintain organization-wide performance systems, including KPIs, dashboards, and accountability processes.
• Align programs, regions, and support teams to work toward shared objectives.
• Contribute actively in senior leadership discussions, helping guide key decisions, organizational change, strategic planning, and prioritization.
• Advise leadership on the operational and budget impact of major decisions.
• Oversee operational planning, project delivery, and readiness for geographic expansion and program scale-up in partnership with program leaders.
• Improve efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and delivery quality across operations.
• Track and report operations performance and impact to leadership.
• Approve and sign contracts above delegated thresholds, in line with approved budgets and internal authority limits, including agreements with vendors, consultants, contractors, and subgrantees.
• Authorize operations-related financial transactions and purchase orders within approved controls and budgets.
• Develop the annual operations budget and support budget planning for other departments and country offices when needed.
• Oversee risk management for global operations, including maintenance of the risk register and assurance of adequate global insurance coverage.
• Ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, and donor obligations across all operating contexts.
• Guide the creation and enforcement of policies and procedures.
• Work with Legal, Finance, and Program leadership to strengthen audit readiness and compliance systems.
• Lead business continuity planning and organizational risk mitigation with the COO and Legal Director.
• Build, coach, and strengthen a high-performing operations team with a focus on accountability and continuous improvement.
• Partner with HR/People leadership on workforce planning, organizational structure, and capability development.
• Promote a collaborative, service-minded, and operationally excellent culture.
• Represent Operations in discussions with donors, partners, and Board Committees when needed or delegated by the COO.
• Enhance the organization’s credibility through dependable, responsive, and high-quality operational support.
• Develop strategies and policies for IT, technology, and AI use across the organization.
• Oversee technology infrastructure, systems integration, and digital tools that support global operations, and recommend priority upgrades.
• Manage vendor relationships and the lifecycle governance of systems and IT assets.
• Oversee procurement, facilities, vendor management, and administrative systems across global offices while ensuring policy compliance.
• Maintain scalable office operations through reliable systems, service providers, and accountability structures.
• Continuously improve processes through system upgrades, policy updates, and relevant training or workshops.
• Help country offices and departments identify, plan, design, implement, and train staff on operational policies and procedures, while budgeting for operational needs.
• Supervise HQ office operations through the Operations Officer to ensure a safe, efficient, compliant, and effective workplace.
• Ensure strong facilities, office administration, health and safety, and workplace operations systems are in place.
• Set performance standards and drive ongoing improvements in office operations to improve employee experience, consistency, and efficiency.
• Oversee and approve all contracts and contract templates.
• Maintain accurate organizational entity records.
• Build a consistent, scalable global operations model, including a center of excellence and training support for all departments and country offices.
• Help position Pure Earth as a leader in lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) mitigation, health, and safety.
• Improve organizational efficiency, compliance, risk management, and audit readiness.
• Enable operations that support program expansion and growth.
• Establish and operationalize a performance framework with clear KPIs, standardized metrics, and reporting rhythms.

Experience and Qualifications

• 10 to 12 years of progressive leadership experience in an international nonprofit, with broad exposure to senior operational, program, and administrative responsibilities.
• Experience spanning program and financial management, fundraising, program delivery, contracting, compliance, and reporting.
• Bachelor’s degree is required; an advanced degree in business administration, public administration, or a related discipline is preferred. Equivalent education and professional experience may also be considered.
• Strong knowledge of public funding award processes, including financial management, compliance, and reporting requirements; accounting or audit experience is a plus.
• Proven success leading organizational change in fast-moving and evolving environments.
• Ability to convert organizational strategy into practical operational plans that improve performance, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Deep experience in risk management across complex, multi-country settings.
• Strong ability to influence, earn trust, and work effectively with senior leaders, staff, and external partners, while remaining hands-on when necessary.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to run high-impact meetings and build alignment across diverse teams.
• Strong relationship-building, active listening, and cross-functional collaboration skills in a global matrix environment.
• High cultural awareness and sensitivity, with experience working across different geographies, cultures, and time zones.
• Track record of coaching, mentoring, and developing staff and future leaders.
• Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving ability, sound judgment, and comfort with ambiguity.
• Clear commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in organizational practice.
• Willingness and ability to travel internationally as required.
• Ability to work flexibly across multiple time zones and adapt to non-standard hours when needed.
• Preferred qualifications include PMP or another formal project management certification.
• Experience with IT, systems, or technology implementation supporting scale, digital transformation, or enterprise systems in a global nonprofit is an advantage.
• Exposure to legal or IT administration is helpful.
• Additional language skills relevant to the organization’s geographic footprint are a strong asset.

Work Arrangement

This is a hybrid role. Employees are expected in the office on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and may work from home on other weekdays. Occasional meetings with overseas teams across time zones may also be needed.

Pay and Benefits

This is a full-time exempt L6 role with an annual salary range of $105,000 to $200,000. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage; paid holidays; paid sick time; paid parental leave; 401(k) plan participation; and life and disability insurance.

Equal Opportunity and Accommodation

Pure Earth provides equal employment opportunity and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender or gender identity, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, or any other protected status. Reasonable accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities. If accommodation is needed for the application or interview process, it should be requested when contacted for screening or interview.

Additional Information

This job description may be revised or updated as needed to support organizational goals.