Vice President of Operations

Position description

Pure Earth (www.pureearth.org) is a global leader in improving public health and development outcomes by reducing exposure to lead and other toxic pollutants. We work closely with governments to embed evidence-based, sustainable solutions into public systems at the national scale. By translating data into action and pairing technical expertise with local partnerships, Pure Earth designs and delivers practical interventions that reduce pollution and poisoning risks, strengthen public response systems, and support long-term health and economic progress.

Position Overview

The Vice President of Operations is a senior leader responsible for driving operational excellence across Pure Earth’s global footprint. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, this role translates organizational strategy into scalable, efficient, and compliant operational systems that enable program delivery and growth. The VP of Operations leads the design and continuous improvement of global operations, ensuring alignment across regions, functions, and strategic priorities.

As a key member of the senior leadership team, the VP serves as a strategic partner to the COO and a primary integrator across operational functions, country offices and Pure Earth global departments, ensuring that systems, processes, and organizational capabilities effectively support program impact at scale.

This role holds defined decision-making authority across various operational functions (legal, IT/Tech, administration, operations, facilities management), including risk management, developing budget, financial approvals, and contracts (within established organizational thresholds). This role also has a leadership role in department strategy and activity planning, as well as a robust role in day-to-day project management and implementation of department activities.

This role currently leads a small but agile team, including:

• Operations Officer / Office Manager
• Digital Workspace Manager
• Director of Legal & Risk/ General Counsel

Key Responsibilities

Operations Leadership

• Own and continuously improve Pure Earth’s global operations to support strategic priorities and expansion
• Translate organizational strategy into multi-year and annual operational roadmaps and execution frameworks
• Establish and drive organization-wide performance management systems (KPIs, dashboards, and accountability mechanisms)
• Drive cross-functional alignment across programs, regions, and support functions
• Play an active role in senior leadership forums, shaping organization-wide decision-making, strengthening cross-functional feedback loops, and driving organizational change initiatives and strategic planning and prioritization
• Advise leadership on operational and budgetary implications of strategic operational decisions
• Lead operational planning, project implementation and readiness for geographic expansion and program growth in close collaboration with Program leadership
• Drive initiatives to improve efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and delivery performance
• Drive Operations department impact and performance and report the same to Leadership

Budgets, Contracts & Financial Authority

• Approve and sign contracts above defined thresholds and in accordance with approved budgets, including vendors, consultants, contractors and subgrantees
• Approve financial transactions (POs) for Operations Department in line with internal controls and delegated authority and approved budgets
• Develop and manage the Operations department annual budget and support operational budget planning for other departments and country offices, as needed

Risk, Compliance & Governance

(in partnership with Director Legal & Risk / General Counsel)

• Accountable for organizational risk management across global operations, including managing the risk register and ensuring adequate insurance coverage globally
• Ensure compliance with legal, regulatory and donor requirements across all operating environments
• Oversee development and enforcement of organizational policies and procedures
• Partner with Legal, Finance, and Program leadership to strengthen internal and external compliance audit readiness and systems
• Lead business continuity planning and organizational risk mitigation strategies in partnership with COO and Legal Director

Leadership, People & Organizational Effectiveness

• Lead and develop a high-performing operations team, fostering accountability and continuous improvement
• Partner with HR/People leadership on workforce planning, organizational design, and capacity building
• Promote a culture of collaboration, service orientation, and operational excellence

External Engagement & Representation

• Represent Operations in interactions with donors, partners, and Board Committees, as appropriate or as delegated by COO
• Strengthen organizational credibility through proactive, consistent, high-quality operational delivery and responsiveness

Additional Functional Oversight & Operational Accountability

IT & Digital Workspace

• Develop IT/Tech/AI strategies and policies for the organization
• Oversee technology infrastructure, systems integration, and digital tools supporting global operations and recommend and oversee priority improvements
• Ensure effective vendor management and lifecycle governance of systems and IT assets

Operations & Administration

• Oversee procurement, facilities, vendor management, and administrative systems across globais offices, and ensure compliance with operational procedures and policies
• Ensure reliable and scalable office operations through strong systems, service providers, and accountability structures
• Continually seek to improve operational processes and drive efficiencies through system improvements, updating policies and conducting relevant trainings/workshops
• Support Country Offices and Departments to address, and budget for, operational needs, including identifying, planning, designing, implementing and training staff about policies/procedures

Office Management

• Oversee HQ office operations through direct management of the Operations Officer, ensuring efficient, compliant, safe and well-functioning workplace environments
• Ensure effective systems and vendor-managed services are in place for facilities, office administration, health & safety, and workplace operations
• Establish performance standards and drive continuous improvement in office operations to enhance employee experience, consistency, and operational efficiency

Legal

• Oversee and approve all contracting, contracts and templates
• Ensure accurate entity record keeping

Success in the First 12–18 Months

• Establish a consistent and scalable global operations model, including center of excellence and training for all departments and country offices
• Establish Pure Earth as a leader in the field for Lead (Pb) and Mercury (Hg) mitigation health and safety
• Improve operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness across key functions
• Enhance compliance, risk management, and audit readiness
• Enable effective operational support for program scale-up and growth
• Establish and operationalize an organizational performance framework, with defined KPIs, standardized metrics, and reporting rhythms to track organization-wide progress, inform decision-making, and drive accountability

Qualifications and Experience

Essential

• Minimum 10–12 years of progressive leadership experience within an international nonprofit organization, with demonstrated breadth across senior operational, programmatic, and administrative functions, including but not limited to Program and Financial management, Fundraising, Program implementation & contracting, compliance, and reporting.
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in business administration, public administration, or a related field preferred, or equivalent combination of education and professional experience.
• Demonstrated expertise in public funding award processes, including deep understanding of associated financial management, compliance, and reporting requirements; accounting or audit experience considered an asset.
• Proven ability to lead and implement organizational change initiatives, fostering collaboration, resilience, and productivity in dynamic and evolving environments.
• Demonstrated ability to translate enterprise-wide strategies into executable operational plans, driving performance, accountability, and continuous improvement aligned with organizational culture and values.
• Extensive experience in risk management, with a track record of successfully identifying, mitigating, and managing risk across complex, multi-country operating environments.
• Demonstrated ability to influence, inspire, and build trust and credibility across diverse stakeholder groups, including senior leadership, staff, and partners; comfortable operating in a highly hands-on capacity when required.
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, including the ability to facilitate high-impact meetings, drive alignment, and engage diverse teams in meaningful and inclusive ways.
• Strong relationship-building and partnering capabilities, with advanced active listening skills and a demonstrated ability to foster cross-functional collaboration in a global, matrixed environment.
• High degree of cultural competence and sensitivity, with demonstrated success working across geographies, cultures, and time zones.
• Proven experience coaching, mentoring, and developing staff, with a strong commitment to building organizational capacity and leadership pipelines.
• Advanced problem-solving and analytical capabilities, with sound judgment and the ability to navigate complexity and ambiguity effectively.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring equitable participation and representation across all aspects of organizational work.
• Ability and willingness to travel internationally, as required in support of global operations.
• Ability to work flexibly across multiple time zones and adapt to non-standard working hours as needed in a global organization.

Desired

• PMP certification or other formal project management certification.
• Experience with IT, systems, or technology implementation, particularly in support of operational scale, program delivery, digital transformation, or enterprise systems in a global nonprofit context.
• Background or exposure to legal or IT administration.
• Multi-lingual capabilities, with additional languages relevant to the organization’s geographic footprint, are considered a strong asset.

Application instructions

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