Senior Director of Operations

Marine Corps University Foundation

Status: Full-time, exempt employee

Salary: $155,000-$175,000

Location: Quantico, VA

Reports to: President & CEO

Deadline: Apply by early November for best consideration

About Marine Corps University Foundation

The Marine Corps University Foundation (MCUF) is the only national nonprofit solely dedicated to investing in the future of the Marine Corps and its leaders through accelerated support for Marine Corps University. Founded in 1980, the Foundation provides private resources that enable the University to advance priority educational, research, and leader-development initiatives beyond what government funding alone can support.

Marine Corps University is the Marine Corps' professional military education institution, developing Marines and other military, international, and civilian leaders to think critically, adapt to an evolving security environment, and lead at tactical, operational, and strategic levels. MCUF strengthens that mission by supporting innovative educational experiences, faculty and student research, distinguished speakers and scholars, battlefield studies, academic programs, and other University priorities.

The Foundation serves as a funding partner and convener for the University, bringing together military leaders, academia, industry, philanthropy, and the international military community to accelerate priority initiatives. Current efforts include innovation, artificial intelligence and emerging technology, international military student engagement, wargaming and classified academic capabilities, human performance and neuroplasticity, and other University priorities.

This is an important period of growth for MCUF. Through private philanthropy and strategic partnerships, the Foundation is expanding its capacity to help Marine Corps University advance the education, research, ideas, and experiences required to prepare leaders for an increasingly complex security environment.

Position Overview

The Senior Director of Operations is a senior member of the Foundation's leadership team, reporting directly to the President and CEO. The Senior Director of Operations functions as the Foundation's chief operational leader, owning day-to-day operations, financial administration, human resources, board support, and protocol. This is a hands-on leadership role that combines executive-level operational judgment with the disciplined, detail-driven execution required to support senior military leaders, diplomatic officials, elected officials, donors, and other distinguished guests.

The Senior Director of Operations is responsible for the full operational health of the Foundation, which has an FY26 operating budget of about $2 million. The Senior Director of Operations works in close partnership with the President & CEO on strategic direction while independently leading execution across finance, HR, governance support, and events. The role supervises the Executive Assistant and Director of Programs and helps ensure that staff has the direction, resources, and coordination needed to carry out Foundation priorities. The successful candidate will bring strong financial acumen, discretion, and the ability to remain calm and decisive under pressure. 

Key responsibilities include:

Foundation Operations

• Lead the Foundation’s day-to-day operations, ensuring that people, systems, resources, and administrative support are aligned with organizational priorities.
• Supervise, coach, and evaluate the Executive Assistant and Director of Programs; set clear priorities, responsibilities, and expectations; and foster a collaborative, accountable workplace culture.
• Lead core human resources functions, including hiring, onboarding, benefits administration, personnel records, performance management, and coordination with legal advisors.
• Manage vendors and consultants across accounting, technology, HR, facilities, communications, logistics, and other professional services; oversee contracts, costs, deliverables, and vendor performance.
• Develop and improve operational policies, systems, and workflows to strengthen efficiency, consistency, information security, continuity of operations, and organizational risk management.
• Ensure compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements and support the President & CEO in staffing, resource allocation, and organization-wide planning.

Financial Management

• Lead the annual budgeting process in partnership with the President & CEO and monitor revenue, expenses, cash flow, and budget performance throughout the year.
• Provide timely financial reports, forecasts, and analysis to the President & CEO and Board, coordinating with external accounting and financial partners as appropriate.
• Maintain effective financial policies, internal controls, approval processes, and documentation.
• Oversee financial administration, including accounts payable and receivable, running payroll, expense reporting, and contract payments.
• Coordinate the annual audit, tax filings, and other financial reporting and compliance requirements with external advisors.
• Assess the financial implications of programs, events, staffing decisions, and new initiatives to support sound organizational decision-making.

Board Governance

• Partner with the President & CEO and Board leadership to support effective Board governance and operations, including annual calendars, meetings, committee coordination, policies, records, and member onboarding.
• Coordinate the preparation and timely distribution of agendas, financial reports, program updates, and other materials that enable informed Board and committee decision-making.
• Facilitate board meetings, ensure detailed notes are taken, track Board and committee decisions, action items, and deadlines, and coordinate with staff to ensure timely follow-through.
• Partner with the Executive Assistant on Board communications and meeting logistics, ensuring a professional, organized experience for directors.

Event Leadership

• Working with a contracted event planning consultant, oversee planning and coordination for Foundation events, meetings, receptions, and other high-level engagements supporting the organization’s mission and fundraising efforts.
• Ensure appropriate military protocol, formal etiquette, and standards of hospitality for engagements involving senior military leaders, University representatives, diplomats, donors, Board members, and other distinguished guests.
• Anticipate and resolve operational and logistical issues before and during high-visibility events, exercising discretion and sound judgment.
• Partner with the Executive Assistant to coordinate executive scheduling, travel, preparation, and administrative support related to events and external engagements.

Experience, Skills & Qualifications

• 10+ years of leadership experience, including at least five years of direct employee supervision, in a nonprofit organization, foundation, or related environment, with a proven track record of growing an organization.
• Strong financial management skills, including direct management of an organization or department budget of $1M or more, financial reporting, and internal controls; proficient with QuickBooks Online.
• Direct experience leading human resources, including performance management, hiring, onboarding, HRIS, and compliance. Experience with Rippling is a plus.
• Demonstrated experience setting priorities, solving problems, and moving among strategy, planning, and hands-on execution.
• Experience managing contracts, vendor relationships, and administrative systems in a small or midsize nonprofit organization.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the judgment to work effectively with senior leaders and external partners.
• Strong people management skills; can coach, develop, and hold direct reports accountable.
• Demonstrated project management experience, including leading complex, cross-functional teams of staff and contractors.
• Professional, detail-oriented, and trustworthy with sensitive and confidential information.
• Comfortable working with organizational and operational technology tools.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with military or educational institutions.
• Knowledge of Marine Corps culture and the challenges faced by military educational organizations.

Travel & Schedule Requirements

The position requires regular work at Quantico and periodic travel in support of University, Foundation, partner, and program activities. The Senior Director may be expected to participate in designated Foundation and University programs, meetings, and events, including occasional evening and weekend activities.

Compensation & Benefits

The salary range for this position is $155,000-$175,000. MCUF offers a competitive benefits package, including paid time off, a healthcare stipend, retirement benefits, and other benefits in accordance with Foundation policies.

Working Location

This position is based in Quantico, Virginia, with a hybrid work schedule that currently provides for three days per week at the Foundation's office and two days per week from an approved home office. The schedule may vary based on University, Foundation, program, meeting, travel, and event requirements.

Application Process

This search is being conducted in partnership with Good Insight, an executive search firm serving the nonprofit sector. Interested applicants should upload a PDF cover letter and resume at good-insight.org/careers. 

Resume reviews begin immediately. For best consideration, please apply by early November. Early applications are encouraged due to the pace of the search. Please direct confidential inquiries to Kate Dykgraaf and Tej Pikle at MCUF@good-insight.org. 

Equal Opportunity Employer

MCUF is an equal opportunity employer and considers all applications without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status.