Strategic Operations Manager

Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable sexual and reproductive health care for all people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. Planned Parenthood organizations serve all people with care and compassion, with respect, and without judgment, striving to create equitable access to health care. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable education and information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives. 

Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that supports the independently incorporated Planned Parenthood affiliates, which operate non-profit health centers across the U.S. PPFA also works to educate the public on and advocate for issues of sexual and reproductive health. Formed as the advocacy and political arm of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Planned Parenthood Action Fund is a separate non-profit membership organization tax-exempt under section 501(c)(4). The Action Fund engages in educational, advocacy, and limited electoral activity, including grassroots organizing, legislative advocacy, and voter education in furtherance of the Planned Parenthood mission. Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) and Planned Parenthood Action Fund seek a Manager, Strategic Operations. This job reports to the Director, Strategic Operations in the External Affairs Unit. The Manager, Strategic Operations provides contract and budgetary operational support to the External Affairs team to deliver on our strategic goals. 

Purpose:

• The Manager, Strategic Operations serves on the Budget & Resource Operations (BRO) team within External Affairs, supporting the day-to-day operations and management of the team and providing budget and operational support across External Affairs. The role supervises a Senior Specialist and operates with substantial independence within assigned portfolios, providing the Senior Director and Managing Director with clear recommendations, progress updates, risk assessments, and decision points.

Engagement:

• Supervise a Senior Specialist on the Budget & Resource Operations (BRO) team, providing direction, coaching, prioritization, workload management, and quality control.
• Serve as liaison between procurement, finance, and the Program teams to ensure accuracy and timeliness of processing of contracting documents and payments.

Delivery:

• Support program teams in the accurate entry of contracts, grants, memberships, honoraria, and sponsorships within PPFA’s internal systems (Coupa, PPGrants, etc).
• Serve as a liaison between Procurement, Finance, and Program teams to ensure timely and accurate processing of contracts, amendments, grants, sponsorships, and invoices.
• Track contract workflows to proactively identify and resolve delays or errors.
• Identify opportunities to streamline contracting and payment processes for efficiency and accuracy.
• Ensure compliance with internal policies and external requirements across all contract and budget operations.
• Track budget commitments for all External Affairs verticals, flagging budget discrepancies and ensuring timely follow-up and communication with stakeholders.
• Review monthly budget commitments across External Affairs verticals to confirm payment and identify discrepancies, ensuring timely follow-up and communication with stakeholders.
• Support development and rollout of process guidance and training for staff.
• Build strong relationships with program, finance, and procurement colleagues to strengthen cross-functional collaboration.
• Provide responsive and solutions-oriented support to program teams navigating budget and contract processes.
• Contribute to building a positive, effective, and transparent operations culture within External Affairs.
• Provide ad hoc assistance on special projects related to External Affairs priorities, including providing logistical and administrative support.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

•  Commitment to PPFA's mission and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
•  Commitment and track record of advancing racial equity in operational processes.
• Flexible and able to adapt to quickly changing priorities and ambiguous situations.
• Ability to organize resources, establish priorities, and thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Collaborative team player with a service-oriented approach and the ability to build strong relationships with program, Finance, Procurement, and other cross-functional partners.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare concise reporting and recommendations for senior leaders.
• Extreme attention to detail and ability to anticipate issues and prepare accordingly.
• Excellent judgment and ability to operate with substantial independence while knowing when to escalate issues and bring forward clear decision points.
• Ability to juggle multiple projects, portfolios, and deadlines successfully. Strong organization, time management, prioritization, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent skills in collaborating across divisions, functions, and geography, with a knack for engaging colleagues at all levels in projects and processes while continuing to own and drive them.
• Ability to independently assess operational issues, identify risks and process weaknesses, and develop practical recommendations for addressing them.
• Strong financial and budget management skills, including experience tracking spend, commitments, forecasts, variances, and payment status and translating financial information into actionable recommendations.
• Demonstrated experience supervising, coaching, or coordinating the work of staff and managing team workflows, priorities, and competing deadlines.
• 5+ Years of operational experience. Demonstrated ability to analyze and improve organizational processes and work to improve quality, productivity, and efficiency.

Travel: 0-10% domestic

Planned Parenthood's cultural ethos, "In This Together", reflects our commitment to building a workplace culture that fosters belonging, promotes learning throughout the employee lifecycle, and recognizes individual contributions to our mission.

Planned Parenthood Federation of America participates in the E-Verify program. Planned Parenthood Federation of America is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to maintaining a non-discriminatory work environment, and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.  Planned Parenthood Federation of America is committed to creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion, respect and integrity, customer focus, and innovation.