Operations Manager, Finance

Who we are:

The Vera Institute of Justice is powered by hundreds of advocates, researchers, and policy experts working to transform the criminal legal and immigration systems until they're fair for all. Founded in 1961 to advocate for alternatives to money bail in New York City, Vera is now a national organization that partners with impacted communities and government leaders for change. We develop just, antiracist solutions so that money doesn't determine freedom; fewer people are in jails, prisons, and immigration detention; and everyone is treated with dignity. For more information, visit

Vera has a staff of 216 people, is headquartered in Brooklyn, New York and has offices in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, and New Orleans. We are an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity in the workplace. We expect our staff to embody respect, independence, collaboration, commitment, anti-racism, and equity—both in our outward-facing work and the internal culture of our workplace. We value a range of experiences in people's educational backgrounds and encourage people who have been directly impacted by the criminal justice system to apply.

About the team:

We are seeking a highly organized, proactive, and strategic Operations Manager to serve as a Level 1 Chief of Staff to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO). This role is central to driving operational excellence and executive effectiveness across finance and technology functions. The Operations Manager will coordinate high-level internal and external communications, manage signature cross-functional initiatives—including AI infrastructure development, IT security enhancements, and enterprise risk management—and support the CFO in preparing for board committee engagements. Acting as a strategic connector, the Operations Manager will ensure alignment across departments, proactively identify opportunities for improvement, and represent the CFO's office in enterprise-wide forums and working groups.

About the role:

Executive Support & Coordination

• Act as a strategic thought partner to the CFO, ensuring alignment across finance, technology, and enterprise-wide initiatives.
• Coordinate and streamline communication between CFO and internal teams, external partners, and key stakeholders, including vendors, consultants, and regulatory bodies.
• Prepare briefing materials, talking points, and strategic updates for executive meetings, including Board Committee sessions.

Operational Oversight

• Manage day-to-day operations of the CFO office, including calendar management, meeting coordination, internal communications, and travel coordination as needed.
• Schedule, organize, and prepare for meetings to maximize productivity and collaboration on key work products.
• Develop and maintain internal resources to facilitate collaboration.
• Support budget planning, tracking, and reporting processes in collaboration with Finance and IT teams.
• Monitor and improve internal workflows, identifying opportunities for increased efficiency and effectiveness.

Signature Projects & Initiative Management

• Lead and manage signature cross-functional projects throughout the fiscal year, including the annual budget planning cycle, technology transformation efforts (AI), and enterprise risk management initiatives.
• Support the CFO in preparing for quarterly board committee meetings, including crafting narratives, coordinating stakeholder input, and managing follow-ups.
• Drive execution of high-impact initiatives such as AI infrastructure development, IT security enhancements, and financial systems modernization.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Facilitate regular check-ins and strategic planning sessions with senior leaders across Finance, IT, Development, Program Initiatives, and other departments.
• Ensure consistent messaging and alignment across internal and external communications.
• Represent the CFO's office in enterprise-wide forums and working groups.

Other Duties as Assigned

What qualifications are we looking for?

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, finance, information systems, or related field and 3+ years relevant experience. In lieu of bachelor's degree, applicable work or life experience may be considered.

Preferred:

• 5+ years of experience in operations, project management, or executive support roles.
• Master's degree in business administration, finance, information systems, or related field.
• Experience in a strategic support role.
• Familiarity with enterprise financial systems and IT governance frameworks.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities you'll bring:

• Proven experience in operations, strategy, or other roles supporting senior executives.
• Exceptional project management, communication, and analytical skills.
• Proven ability to pay attention to detail, manage multiple priorities, and work effectively with senior leadership.
• Strong inter-relational skills and ability to navigate complex organizational structures and influence without authority.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and professionalism.

Technical knowledge helpful for this role:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, project management tools, and data visualization platforms.

Location:

Please note this role will report to our Brooklyn, NY office. Vera employees adhere to a hybrid schedule and are in-office on an alternating schedule that generally amounts to 10 days per month.

Compensation and Benefits:

The compensation range for this position is $85,000 - $88,000 per year. Actual salaries will vary depending on factors including but not limited to experience and performance. The salary range listed is just one component of Vera Institute's total compensation package for employees. As an employer of choice in our field, supporting Vera staff - both personally and professionally - is a priority. To do this, we invest in the well-being of our staff through other rewards including merit pay, generous paid time off, a comprehensive health insurance plan, student loan repayment benefits, professional development training opportunities and up to $2,000 annual for education costs and fees relevant to Vera work, employer-funded retirement plan, and flexible time. To learn more about Vera's benefits offerings, click here.

Application Process:

To receive further consideration for this career opportunity, applicants are asked preliminary questions about logistics, their interest and qualifications. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional details about their experience via a phone screen/form in advance of an invitation for a virtual or in-person interview with the team. Some searches may explore scenarios during the interview process and/or an assessment prior to reference checks and a hiring decision.

Applications may also be faxed to:

ATTN: People, Place, and Culture / Operations Manager, Finance

Vera Institute of Justice

34 35th St, Suite 4-2A, Brooklyn, NY 11232

Fax:

Please use only one method (online, mail or fax) of submission.

No phone calls, please. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted.

Vera is an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, citizenship status, current employment status, or caregiver status.

Vera works to advance justice, particularly racial justice, in an increasingly multicultural country and globally connected world. We value diverse experiences, including with regard to educational background and justice system contact, and depend on a diverse staff to carry out our mission.

For more information about Vera, please visit .

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