Bonsai Leadership Group has been retained by HERA to lead the search for a Director of Operations & Reporting. This role will work closely with and in support of the Chief Operating Officer, focusing on strengthening operational systems, enhancing organizational structure, and driving clarity across teams. The position is designed to ensure effective execution of day-to-day functions while enabling the organization to deliver consistent, high-quality results at scale. Download the full position profile here.

ABOUT HERA

Established in 2023, HERA is a dynamic, global non-governmental organization (NGO) dedicated to protecting the health, income, and dignity of women on the frontlines of extreme heat. Given the significant gap in the understanding of extreme heat and its disproportional effects on women, HERA was co-founded by four women leaders who care deeply about addressing climate change and its impacts on women and vulnerable communities.

In its first two years, HERA has raised more than $20 million to expand its programs and impact. Today, HERA operates in eight countries, including Sierra Leone, Pakistan, Ghana, Liberia, Thailand, India, Kenya, the United States. With local partners, HERA creates and delivers practical, durable solutions shaped by the experiences and needs of marginalized women toward better health, more income, and sustained dignity.

HERA’s approach is guided by three key pillars that drive its mission forward: 

Act Now & Innovate
Design, deliver, and assess the impact of women-centered heat resilience interventions before, during, and after extreme heat events.

Replicate Success
Catalyze the expansion of effective women-centered heat interventions across geographies.

Build the Field
Build the field of extreme heat, growing capacity, and coherence across many actors and institutions.

With a commitment to equity, HERA is at the forefront of ensuring climate resilience for all, especially those most vulnerable to the dangers of extreme heat. To learn more about HERA’s mission and impact, visit heranow.org.

CORE VALUES

HERA is guided by four core values that inform its approach and commitment to climate resilience.

• Positivity: We build and nurture trusted partnerships with organizations, communities, and individuals who share our vision.

• The Power of Women: We champion women and marginalized genders, and amplify their leadership across our work.

• Informed Urgency:  Recognizing the immediate harms of the climate crisis, HERA is committed to taking swift and meaningful action.

• Partnership:  Collaboration, solidarity, and trust are the foundations of HERA’s approach.
  

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Director of Operations & Reporting (the Director) will work in close partnership with and in support of the Chief Operating Officer (COO) to strengthen the systems, processes, and operating rhythms that enable HERA to scale with consistency and accountability, while maintaining the flexibility that has defined its early success.

Reporting to the COO, this role sits at the center of the organization, helping to connect teams, enhance execution, and introduce structure in an environment where systems and ownership are still evolving. The Director will support in shaping and delivering how work is coordinated and executed across the organization, ensuring operational systems effectively enable programmatic impact.

This role is designed for a builder who can bring structure to ambiguity, translate strategy into actionable plans, and drive forward momentum in a complex, fast-moving environment while serving as a key operational partner to the COO.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Strategy & Infrastructure

• Lead the design and implementation of organization-wide policies, standard operating procedures, and workflows

• Build foundational infrastructure in an environment where systems, processes, and ownership are still emerging

• Establish governance structures that clarify decision-making, accountability, and execution across teams

Grants Management & Cross-Functional Execution

• Lead grants management, including timelines, workflows, and cross-functional coordination

• Build and continuously improve grants management, including tracking systems, templates, workflows, and reporting infrastructure that strengthen visibility, accountability, consistency, and organizational decision-making

• Partner closely with Contracts & Grants and Finance to support compliance and submission processes

Systems, Tools & Adoption

• Lead the selection, implementation, and optimization of operational systems and tools across the organization

• Establish clear expectations for system usage, data integrity, and accountability across teams

• Support rollout and adoption of tools through training, reinforcement, and ongoing operational support

Operational Leadership & Problem Solving

• Establish operational rhythms, including planning cycles, reporting cadences, and cross-functional workflows

• Identify gaps, reduce inefficiencies, and implement solutions that improve execution and reduce friction

• Step into undefined areas, take ownership, and drive clarity and resolution

• Partner with leadership on vendor management, system strategy, and operational priorities

Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Manage and develop an initial direct report, with responsibility to grow that team member’s role over time

• Lead through influence across the organization, shaping how teams operate without relying on formal authority

• Collaborate closely with Finance, Contracts & Grants, Country Programs, Communications, and HR teams

• Set and reinforce a high standard for operational excellence, accountability, and follow-through

Desired QUalifications & Experience

HERA is seeking a thoughtful, highly capable operations leader who brings structure and adaptability to evolving environments. The ideal candidate will possess many of the following attributes and skills, though not all are required for consideration:

• 10+ years of experience in nonprofit operations, grants management, reporting, compliance, or a related field within a complex, global, and compliance-driven organization

• Demonstrated ability to lead sophisticated cross-functional workflows and drive execution across multiple workstreams, ensuring accountability, momentum, and timely delivery without direct authority

• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to synthesize nuanced information, align diverse stakeholders, and communicate clearly and effectively across functions and levels

• Proven track record of operating with a high degree of autonomy, sound judgment, and accountability in intricate, evolving environments

• Experience building structure in ambiguous settings, including designing and implementing processes, systems, and operational ways of working from the ground up

• Strong relationship management and influencing skills, with the ability to navigate complexity, build trust, and align stakeholders with competing priorities

• High level of organizational discipline and attention to detail, with the ability to prioritize effectively and adapt as organizational needs evolve

• Experience working across distributed or global teams, with an understanding of remote collaboration and cross-cultural dynamics

• Deep commitment to equity, feminist values, and global inclusivity, with the ability to apply these principles in operational decision-making
  

TRAVEL

This role entails limited travel, approximately two times per year, including international travel.

LOCATION & Work Environment

This is a U.S.-based remote position. Candidates based on the East Coast are preferred, though strong candidates nationwide will be considered.

 The role requires regular coordination across global teams, including occasional early morning or evening meetings.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

The minimum starting salary or this position is $120,000 annually, with an actual starting salary dependent upon the hired candidate’s location, qualifications, background, and experience.

In addition, HERA provides a comprehensive benefits package that supports the health, well-being, and overall quality of life of our team members. 

SHARE YOUR INTEREST

Bonsai Leadership Group has been exclusively retained for this search. For consideration, submit your resume and a compelling cover letter outlining your qualifications and interest here. 

Expressions of interest will be reviewed and evaluated as received. All inquiries, nominations, and applications will be handled with strict confidentiality.

If accommodation is needed to participate in the application process, please contact careers@bonsaileadershipgroup.com.