Senior Director, Ops+ at TechTown Detroit – Detroit, Michigan

About the Opportunity

We are seeking a dynamic, experienced, hands-on Senior Director with a strong finance and accounting background to lead and accelerate the growth of our newly launched “Ops Plus”, a human resources and financial services program. We need a leader who is as comfortable managing a team and developing talent as they are digging into complex financial data. The right candidate will have a deep background in finance and accounting, paired with the senior management experience necessary to scale a department.

You will be responsible for scaling operations, building high-performing teams, and driving strategic initiatives that expand our market presence and service capabilities. A key component of this role will be cultivating and developing strategic partnerships across the ecosystem, including technology providers, industry associations, and complementary service partners, to unlock new customer segments and broaden our reach. The ideal candidate brings a proven track record of growing organizations from developing talent pipelines and optimizing workflows to forging impactful alliances that drive revenue and customer growth.

A core part of this role involves client-facing leadership: you will be the lead voice in finance workshops and the primary advisor for client boards, ensuring they receive the strategic clarity and oversight they need to succeed. This role requires a proven track record in financial leadership through meaningful, hands-on finance positions and a demonstrated ability to present and facilitate finance-related workshops for diverse audiences. The ideal candidate will be able to present finance topics to boards of both for-profit and non-profit clients as the organization scales, ensuring clarity, governance, and strategic insight.

If you are a visionary leader who thrives at the intersection of people strategy, financial acumen, and ecosystem development, we want to hear from you.

The Impact You Will Make

• Lead Ops+ growth strategy and operations across back-office functions (HR, finance, and evolving service lines via ecosystem-driven opportunities).
• Build and scale high-performing, cross-functional teams; develop talent pipelines and succession plans to support current and planned service offerings.
• Oversee client management, service delivery excellence, and ongoing client satisfaction initiatives.
• Perform financial work for complex clients, including analyses, reporting, and strategic recommendations; design and deliver finance-related workshops for diverse audiences; and present financial insights and governance recommendations to boards of both for-profit and non-profit clients, as the program scales.
• Identify, pursue, and manage strategic partnerships and alliances with technology providers, industry associations, financial services partners, and other complementary service providers to unlock new customer segments and revenue streams.
• Drive and measure revenue growth, market expansion, and service capability enhancements through disciplined program management and cross-organizational collaboration.
• Identify and launch new service lines, such as IT services.
• Oversee client management, service delivery excellence, and ongoing client satisfaction initiatives.
• Guide financial performance, budgeting, forecasting, profitability management, and cost optimization for Ops+.
• Champion continuous improvement, process optimization, and automation where appropriate.
• Ensure compliance with industry regulations, company policies, and professional standards across all service lines.
• Represent Ops+ in internal and external forums to advance the ecosystem's presence and thought leadership.
• Report to Leadership on organizational performance, risks, and strategic initiatives; including ensuring alignment with broader organizational objectives and back-office functions
• Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and high-quality service delivery.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Operations

• Set the vision and execution plan for Ops+ growth, including scalable processes, governance, and performance metrics.
• Build, develop, and retain a talented, diverse team; implement talent development programs and internal mobility paths.
• Establish operational playbooks, service level agreements, and quality assurance standards across current and anticipated service lines.

Partnerships and Ecosystem Development

• Proactively cultivate relationships with technology vendors, software providers, industry associations, and complementary service partners.
• Develop joint go-to-market strategies, co-innovation opportunities, and partner-led client ownership models.
• Create a structured partner ecosystem plan with clear KPIs, revenue sharing constructs, and collaboration cadences.

Business Development and Market Expansion

• Lead cross-organizational business development efforts to grow the client base, expand market presence, and identify new service opportunities.
• Shape the portfolio mix by evaluating demand signals, client feedback, and ecosystem opportunities; champion new service line pilots as experiments with measurable ROI.

Financial Leadership

• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, profitability management, pricing strategy, and financial reporting for Ops+.
• Monitor key financial metrics, drive cost optimization, and ensure sustainable growth.
• Service Delivery and Client Management
• Ensure high-quality, consistent delivery of back-office services; steward client relationships and retention activities.
• Establish and monitor service delivery metrics, risk controls, and compliance standards.
• Perform financial work for complex clients, including analyses, reporting, and strategic recommendations; design and deliver finance-related workshops for diverse audiences; and present financial insights and governance recommendations to boards of both for-profit and non-profit clients

Compliance, Risk, and Quality

• Ensure adherence to applicable regulations, internal policies, and professional standards across all service lines.
• Implement risk management practices and audit-readiness for Ops+ programs.

Technology and Process Improvement

• Identify opportunities for technology adoption, data analytics, and process automation to enhance efficiency and scalability.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to prioritize and govern technology-enabled improvements.

What You Will Bring to the Table

• Proven experience in a senior leadership role (professional services, back-office operations, or consulting is a significant plus).
• Advanced demonstrating finance and accounting leadership with at least 8–12 years of progressively responsible experience in financial management, corporate finance, or nonprofit accounting.
• Proven track record in performing complex financial analyses, overseeing budgeting and forecasting, and delivering actionable insights.
• Demonstrated ability to design and deliver finance-focused workshops for diverse audiences and to present to boards of directors in both for-profit and non-profit settings. Strong proficiency with financial modeling, GAAP/IFRS guidelines, internal controls, and governance practices.
• Exceptional communication, stakeholder management, and leadership skills, with a collaborative, customer-centric approach and the ability to scale financial programs across a growing organization.
• Bachelor’s degree required; professional qualifications (CPA, CFA, CMA, or equivalent) strongly preferred; advanced degree (MBA or MS in Finance/Accounting) a plus
• Strong understanding of finance, accounting, human resources, and IT functions within business operations.
• Demonstrated success in strategic planning, operational leadership, and team management.
• Financial acumen with experience in financial management and budget oversight.

Would be Nice to Have:

• Entrepreneurial mindset with a proactive, growth-oriented approach.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, client-focused environment.
• Commitment to high-quality service delivery and operational efficiency.

Salary:

The budgeted salary range for this position starts at $140,000 and may be adjusted according to qualifications and experience.

The Perks:

TechTown offers generous health and dental plans as well as vision, life insurance, short-term disability, a 401(k) plan, and a team member assistance program. Full-time team members also receive:

• 100% TechTown paid Life, STD, and LTD benefits
• Wellness-Inspired Workplace with a Wellness Program and onsite Wellness Room
• 5 Weeks of paid time off per year
• 23 paid holidays (including 2 weeks in December and 1 week in July)
• 10 Paid Mental Health Days per year
• $2500 Professional development stipend
• Retirement plan with employer matching up to 6%.
• Paid parental leave
• Creativity and innovation supported and encouraged by leadership
• Fulfillment and the knowledge of having made an impact in Detroit’s economic growth

Work Arrangements:

This position is primarily an in-person role. We believe in-person work fosters better collaboration, stronger team dynamics, and more effective learning opportunities, especially for cross-functional projects and informal knowledge sharing.

However, we also recognize the importance of flexibility. Therefore, this role allows for periodic remote work, subject to manager approval and departmental needs. The specific remote work schedule can be discussed during onboarding and revisited as needed to support organizational goals and individual work-life balance.

Accessibility:

At TechTown Detroit, we are committed to fostering an inclusive, accessible environment where all team members, clients, and tenants feel valued, respected, and supported. We are dedicated to building a workforce that reflects the communities in which we live and serve and creating an environment where everyone has the opportunity to reach their potential.

If you are a candidate with a disability and need an accommodation to complete the application process, email our Human Resources Department at hr@TechTownDetroit.org. Include your full name, the best way to reach you, and the accommodation needed to assist you with the application process.