Associate Director, Global Security Operations chez Center for Reproductive Rights

Description

Title:  Associate Director, Global Security Operations, DC Office      

Department: Global Operations

Center Background: The Center for Reproductive Rights is a global human rights organization working to ensure that reproductive rights are protected in law as fundamental human rights worldwide. With offices in New York City, and Washington, D.C.; Nairobi, Kenya; Bogota, Colombia; and Geneva, Switzerland, the Center is a non-profit, non-partisan organization changing law and policy throughout Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the United States. Our 270+ diverse professionals are committed to advancing the Center’s human rights mission through game-changing litigation, legal policy, and advocacy work. This has powered the Center’s exceptional growth to an operating budget of over $60 million and won the respect of law firms in countries around the world. Our global pro bono network includes over 2,000 lawyers across 6 continents, 64 countries, and 130 law firms. Last year, law firms contributed over $30 million USD in pro bono legal services. The Center’s Strategic Plan sets a high mark for impact: By 2030, half of the world’s population will be living under stronger protections for reproductive rights than they were in 2020. The Center has a record of success to back up this ambitious goal. Since our founding in 1992, the Center has transformed how reproductive rights are understood and applied by courts, governments, and human rights bodies worldwide on issues including maternal health, abortion, assisted reproduction, and adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights. We have won groundbreaking cases before national courts, U.N. Committees, and regional human rights bodies. The Center has also led development of historic, proactive legislation advancing robust protections for reproductive rights. It has built the legal capacity of women’s rights advocates in more than 65 countries and counting. To learn more about the Center, please go to www.reproductiverights.org 

The Job:   The Associate Director, Global Operations, DC Office is a key leadership role responsible for leading global physical security operations, driving operational excellence, and overseeing administrative services at the Center’s Washington, DC office. This role plays a crucial part in maintaining a safe, secure, efficient, and inclusive workplace, while also making strategic contributions to the Center’s global operations.

The Associate Director will lead the Center’s global safety and security risk management function. Risk management includes the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of global safety, security, emergency preparedness, and risk management standards, programs, and processes. The Associate Director will establish frameworks that ensure operational resilience, staff safety, and business continuity across all global locations, adapting approaches to diverse regional contexts while upholding global standards.

The Associate Director will work closely with cross-functional teams across the organization, including our regional operations teams in Bogota, Geneva, Nairobi, and New York to align operational strategies with organizational priorities, build strong security risk management capacity globally, and promote a culture of safety and preparedness.

The Associate Director collaborates actively within the global operations community by contributing to the development and implementation of global operations strategies, initiatives, and services. They lead projects that enhance efficiency and alignment across offices, support continuous process improvement, and foster a community of practice that promotes knowledge sharing and operational excellence. 

This position reports to the Head of Global Operations and Technology and partners closely with the Chief Program Officer US who is the head of the DC Office, while engaging with teams, departments, and divisions worldwide. The Associate Director will supervise and manage the Senior Coordinator, DC Operations.

The positions will be based in the Center’s Washington D.C. office in a hybrid model of 3 days in office, 2 days working from home. 

Primary Responsibilities:

Global Safety and Security

· Program management: Oversee multiple security projects, ensuring they are aligned with strategic business objectives and delivering measurable results.

· Lead policy development and compliance. Create, update, and enforce safety and security policies in line with legal requirements and best practices.

· Drive risk and incident management. Conduct regular risk assessments, implement mitigation strategies, and lead incident response, coordinating with relevant authorities as needed.

· Lead emergency preparedness and response. Design and manage emergency plans, including evacuation, disaster recovery, and business continuity procedures.

· Deliver actionable information. Produce reports and rapid response communications to inform decision-making and coordinate timely operational actions.

· Drive training and awareness. Organize and deliver staff training on safety protocols, emergency procedures, and security awareness. 

· Lead change management. Prepare and effectively conduct presentations that influence and advise decisions, behaviors, and outcomes. 

· Provide technology and resource oversight. Manage security systems, tools, and the safety and security budget to ensure effective resource allocation.

· Empower collaboration and continuous improvement. Serve as the main liaison with stakeholders and partners and continuously review and enhance safety and security practices to address evolving risks.

Office Operations Management

· Lead office operations and administration. Oversee day-to-day activities to ensure a safe, efficient, and productive work environment aligned with organizational standards.

· Drive policy implementation and compliance. Enforce and update DC office operational policies and procedures in line with global practices and regulatory requirements.

· Manage space, facilities, and technology. Lead office planning, renovations, and technology improvements to optimize functionality and support hybrid work.

· Oversee vendor and service management. Manage contracts and performance for IT, maintenance, cleaning, and supplies to ensure quality and value.

· Steer financial planning and oversight. Develop and monitor the DC office budget and forecasts to ensure fiscal responsibility and transparency.

· Lead safety and security oversight. Serve as the DC office Safety and Security Warden, coordinating safety decisions and ensuring a secure and compliant workplace environment. 

· Manage security systems and protocols. Oversee access control, surveillance, and evacuation procedures, including regular drills and readiness checks.

· Drive safety policy and preparedness. Develop, implement, and maintain safety and emergency policies, procedures, assessments, and manuals.

· Conduct risk and compliance assessments. Lead security audits, risk evaluations, and staff training to strengthen preparedness and mitigation measures.

· Foster collaboration and representation. Partner with HR, IT, Legal, and Finance for integrated office support and represent the DC office in global operations forums.

Other

· Any other relevant duties assigned.

Compensation: $140,000 annually. This salary reflects a position based in New York City or Washington, D.C. This salary will be subject to a downward locality adjustment if authorization is granted to work outside the location listed in this posting. Note that most of the salaries listed on our job postings reflect New York, NY salaries, where our National offices are headquartered.

This role is a 2-year fixed term position.

Union Status: This is a non-union position.

FLSA Exempt Status: This is an exempt role.

Benefits:

• Health:      The Center provides a comprehensive health insurance plan with no in-network deductible and best-in-class reproductive healthcare coverage, including infertility. The Center also offers Dental and Vision coverage. 
• Well-being:      The Center offers resources to help prevent and recover from burnout through different programs that enable mental, physical, and community well-being. The Center provides generous leave, including paid parental leave, personal days, vacation, and sick leave. We are closed the last week of December to allow staff to spend winter holiday time with their loved ones.
• Investment:      After the first year of employment, the Center will contribute 7.5%* of your annual salary to a 401(k) (*applicable only in US and Kenya).

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The Center is committed to inclusive hiring and dedicated to diversity in our work and staff. We strongly encourage people from all communities to apply. If you are excited about this role but unsure about whether your experience aligns with the job description, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right candidate for this or other roles. To learn more about the Center’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, please visit Diversity, Equity and Inclusion | Center for Reproductive Rights.

Center policy on visa sponsorship for U.S.-based positions: Applicants for employment in the U.S. must have valid work authorization that does not now and will not in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the U.S. by The Center for Reproductive Rights.

Requirements

 Qualifications: 

• Business Administration/Management/other related degree or foreign equivalent.
• 15+ years’ experience in an administrative/financial management/risk management position.
• Commitment to reproductive rights and women’s human rights issues.
• Thorough knowledge of not-for-profit financial principles and practices.
• Experience managing multi-site or global operations and teams.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. and international security standards and regulatory compliance.
• Must possess strong financial competence and strong financial planning skills.
• Acumen in maintaining strong financial records and preparing clear and accurate reports for informational, auditing, and operational use.
• Experience liaising with local government offices and entities on matters related to office registration, reporting requirements, and annual statutory compliance.
• Good knowledge of office procedures, financial and administrative concepts, and practices.
• Fluency in English (speaking, reading, writing).
• Fluency in the use of MS Office Suite applications (Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and SharePoint) and the internet.
• Willingness to take initiative in managing/balancing the needs of the local office with those of headquarters.
• Ability to balance multiple tasks and coordinate with different organizational departments working in different time zones.
• Diplomatic, forward-thinking, and the ability to work under tight deadlines.
• Solutions-oriented approach with strong analytical/reasoning skills.
• Must be able to work proactively and independently, multi-task, and work under tight deadlines.