Senior Operations Manager in Aurora, Colorado at Children's Diabetes Foundation

SENIOR OPERATIONS MANAGER
Children’s Diabetes Foundation (CDF)
Aurora, Colorado | Full-Time | Exempt
POSITION SUMMARY
The Senior Operations Manager leads the day-to-day administrative, financial, human resources, and operational functions of the Children’s Diabetes Foundation (CDF). Working closely with the Executive Director and senior leadership, this role strengthens organizational efficiency, financial operations, HR administration, internal controls, compliance, and execution of key initiatives.
This position serves as a trusted operational partner to the Executive Director and requires discretion, independent judgment, accountability, and hands-on execution. The Senior Operations Manager works across staff, the Board of Directors, the Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes (BDC), professional advisors, vendors, sponsors, and other stakeholders.
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES
Organizational Leadership & Operations
• Oversee daily operations to support organizational efficiency, staff effectiveness, and mission delivery.
• Partner with the Executive Director on strategic priorities, special projects, policies, procedures, internal controls, and process improvements.
• Provide regular updates on financial, HR, legal, project, and operational matters and ensure timely communication across stakeholders.
• Coordinate contracts and agreements with the Executive Director, legal counsel, and outside organizations, including review, approvals, renewals, and records.
• Oversee office administration, facilities, vendors, service providers, technology coordination, insurance, and general office systems.
Human Resources
• Serve as the primary internal contact for HR processes, escalating complex or sensitive matters to the Executive Director and/or legal counsel.
• Manage recruiting coordination, onboarding, offboarding, employee documentation, I-9 verification, systems access, orientation, and exit procedures.
• Administer payroll and benefits in coordination with external providers; review reports, resolve discrepancies, and support open enrollment.
• Coordinate annual performance reviews and maintain HR policies, procedures, the employee handbook, confidential personnel files, and required records.
• Support compliance with applicable employment laws and workplace policies, including Colorado pay transparency and equal employment opportunity requirements.
Finance Oversight
• Oversee day-to-day financial operations with the Executive Director and Accounting Manager in accordance with CDF policies and internal controls.
• Conduct monthly General Ledger reviews and coordinate corrections to support accurate and appropriately coded transactions.
• Prepare financial reports, budget-to-actual and prior-period variance analysis, and Board-ready dashboards and narrative summaries.
• Support annual budgeting, cash-flow monitoring, audit preparation, reconciliations, and auditor communications.
• Perform assigned internal-control reviews and recommend improvements that strengthen financial accuracy, transparency, and efficiency.
Annual ATDC Diabetes Conference
• Serve as primary operational lead for CDF’s annual four-day ATDC Diabetes Conference from planning through execution.
• Manage venue selection and negotiation, contracts, room blocks, AV, catering, insurance, compliance, vendors, budget, timelines, and on-site logistics.
• Recruit, coordinate, and steward sponsors, including agreements, benefit fulfillment, communications, and payment tracking.
• Coordinate registration, exhibitors, collateral, attendee communications, and staffing in collaboration with the Executive Director and BDC staff.
• Conduct post-event evaluation and document improvements for future conferences.
Additional Events & Support
• Support other CDF fundraising events and organizational initiatives, including logistics, vendors, contracts, budgets, timelines, and on-site execution.
CORE COMPETENCIES
• Leadership & Accountability: Takes ownership and maintains high standards of performance and ethical conduct.
• Strategic Thinking & Problem Solving: Anticipates needs, evaluates risk, and develops practical solutions aligned with CDF priorities.
• Financial Acumen: Understands GL review, budgeting, variance analysis, financial reporting, and internal controls.
• Communication & Collaboration: Communicates professionally and works effectively with staff, Board members, donors, sponsors, clinical partners, vendors, and advisors.
• Project Management & Attention to Detail: Manages competing priorities and deadlines accurately with minimal supervision.
• Confidentiality & Integrity: Handles sensitive personnel, financial, and organizational information with discretion.
• Continuous Improvement: Identifies opportunities to strengthen systems, workflows, technology utilization, and organizational effectiveness.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required
• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Nonprofit Management, Human Resources, or a related field.
• Minimum five years of progressively responsible operations management experience, preferably in a nonprofit, healthcare, foundation, association, or similarly complex organization.
• At least two years of direct HR administration or management experience.
• Demonstrated experience with financial reporting, budget management, GL review, and variance analysis.
• Experience managing large-scale events or conferences, including venue and vendor management; sponsorship experience strongly valued.
• Strong project management, organizational, written, verbal, and analytical skills.
• Intermediate to advanced Microsoft Office proficiency, particularly Excel.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities with accuracy, discretion, independent judgment, and occasional evening/weekend work for events and Board meetings.
Preferred
• Nonprofit or healthcare-related organization experience and experience supporting a Board of Directors.
• PHR, SHRM-CP, or comparable HR certification.
• Experience with HR, payroll, accounting, and CRM systems; Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge experience is a plus.
• Experience supervising staff or leading organizational change, process improvement, or technology implementation.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
Salary Range: $98,000-$115,000 annually, commensurate with experience.
CDF offers a competitive benefits package. Specific benefits, eligibility, and plan terms will be communicated during the recruitment process.
HOW TO APPLY
Qualified candidates should submit a cover letter and resume. Professional references may be requested later in the selection process. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
POSITION NOTICE
This description summarizes the general nature and level of work and is not an exhaustive list of duties or qualifications. The employee may perform other related duties as required by the Executive Director.