Career Opportunities
Director, Operations and Finance
CCPL’s Director of Operations and Finance will partner with the CEO to strengthen the organization’s systems and processes in anticipation of new growth and greater impact and responsibility.
Application is due July 26, 2026
Overview
This is a time of profound disruption in American life in which religion, and Christianity in particular, has played a pivotal role. Increasingly, public leaders and institutions—even those that have been indifferent or antagonistic toward religion—recognize the salience of religion in American public life and politics. There is a renewed sense that the future of American democracy is inextricable from the character and contributions of Christianity in this country.
The Center for Christianity and Public Life has played a significant role in cultivating this understanding, and we are poised to make an even greater contribution as an organization in the years ahead. CCPL’s roots are now deep into the ground, and the distinctive value we bring as an organization is well-established. Now, we look to steward this foundation, and prepare for a new season of growth and impact.
We are excited to invite a new leader to join CCPL’s strong team in pursuit of our mission and vision for a healthier politics and public life that benefits from positive Christian contributions.
CCPL’s Director of Operations and Finance will partner with the CEO to strengthen the organization’s systems and processes in anticipation of new growth and greater impact and responsibility.
About the Role
The Center for Christianity and Public Life (CCPL) is seeking a leader to support the next chapter of the organization's growth and impact.
Founded in 2021 and publicly launched in October 2022, CCPL is a non-partisan nonprofit based in Washington, D.C. Our mission is to contend for the credibility of Christian resources in public life, for the public good. Our vision is for a politics and public life that benefits from positive Christian contribution.
As CCPL continues to grow, we are seeking a seasoned organizational leader who will help steward CCPL’s next chapter of growth and impact. This person will lead the organization's internal operations and work closely with the CEO to strengthen CCPL's organizational capacity, effectiveness, and sustainability. The successful candidate will partner with the CEO to translate CCPL’s mission and vision into execution, ensuring that CCPL's people, systems, finances, and operations are aligned to support long-term mission effectiveness.
This role is ideal for someone who finds deep satisfaction in sustaining healthy organizations and helping teams flourish. The successful candidate will bring significant experience in nonprofit leadership, operations, finance, organizational planning, and team development, while maintaining a strong commitment to CCPL's mission and values.
The person in this role will work collaboratively across the organization, partnering closely with the CEO, Director of Programs, Director of Research, and other team members to ensure that strategy, execution, and organizational resources remain aligned. The position reports directly to the CEO.
Job Description
Organizational Leadership (20%)
Executive Partnership
Help translate organizational vision into cross-organizational actionable priorities, systems, and plans.
Provide strategic counsel and decision-making support to the CEO across all areas of organizational life.
Represent the CEO in select internal and external meetings and partnerships.
Provide support above and beyond to undertake any other tasks or projects as assigned by the CEO, contributing to the organization's overall efficiency and effectiveness.
Strategic Planning
Partner with the CEO and leadership team to develop annual organizational priorities, multi-year growth plans, and strategic initiatives.
Help identify opportunities for organizational growth, innovation, and partnership.
Monitor organizational performance and ensure alignment between strategy, resources, and execution.
Assist development operations on organizational forecasting, fundraising planning, grant budgeting, and growth opportunities.
Develop executive dashboards, board reports, strategic plans, and organizational updates.
Organizational Integration
Ensure strong coordination between programs, development, communications, and operations.
Help shape organizational priorities and translate strategic goals into operational execution.
Operations, Finance, and Administration (40%)
Organizational Operations
Continuously evaluate and improve organizational effectiveness, identifying opportunities for greater efficiency, clarity, and sustainability, including through the implementation of technological solutions to increase organizational productivity, reduce friction, and enhance impact.
Develop and maintain organizational policies, procedures, and internal controls appropriate for a growing national nonprofit.
Finance and Financial Stewardship
Partner closely with the CEO and Board of Directors on financial strategy and organizational sustainability.
Develop and oversee annual budgets, multi-year financial projections, cash flow forecasts, and financial reporting.
Manage accounting, financial transactions (including payroll and vendor payments), bookkeeping, audits, tax filings, and financial compliance.
Produce timely financial analyses and reports that support executive and board decision-making.
Ensure strong stewardship of organizational resources and maintain a culture of financial discipline.
Evaluate and manage relationships with external accountants and advisors while building appropriate financial capabilities in-house.
Human Resources and Administration
Oversee organizational talent strategy, including recruitment, onboarding, compensation, benefits administration, performance management, and professional development.
Ensure compliance with employment regulations and nonprofit best practices.
Develop organizational policies and employee systems that support both accountability and flourishing.
Oversee administrative functions, vendor relationships, technology systems, and office operations.
Support CEO in Board relations and management
Risk Management and Compliance
Oversee legal, regulatory, insurance, and compliance functions.
Maintain organizational policies related to risk management, employment practices, cybersecurity, nonprofit governance, and organizational liability.
Ensure that the organization operates in accordance with applicable nonprofit regulations and best practices.
Program Design and Organizational Integration (20%)
Strategic Program Partnership
Serve as a strategic thought partner to the Director of Programs and CEO on program design, growth opportunities, organizational capacity, staffing, and evaluation.
Help identify opportunities for innovation and new organizational initiatives.
Ensure that organizational systems, staffing, and resources effectively support programmatic excellence.
People, Culture, and Organizational Development (20%)
Team Leadership
Provide leadership and oversight for all non-programmatic functions of the organization, including finance, operations, human resources, administration, technology, compliance, and organizational planning.
Support the Director of Programs and the Director of Research in creating healthy, high-performing teams.
Ensure organizational structures evolve appropriately as CCPL grows.
Culture and Organizational Health
Help cultivate a culture marked by excellence, humility, integrity, joy, collaboration, and mission.
Lead organizational planning retreats, team gatherings, and culture-building initiatives.
Further develop and maintain organizational rhythms that support both high performance and healthy sustainability.
Foster strong internal communication and clarity across the organization.
Help ensure that CCPL remains a healthy, mission-driven workplace as it continues to expand.
Qualifications
Required Experience
10–15+ years of progressively responsible leadership experience in nonprofit management, operations, finance, organizational leadership, or related fields.
Significant experience overseeing organizational finances, budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, and financial reporting.
Demonstrated ability to build and strengthen organizational systems during periods of growth.
Experience managing organizational operations, human resources, compliance, and administrative systems.
Demonstrated success helping organizations scale, mature, or navigate periods of significant growth.
Experience leading and developing teams.
Preferred Experience
Experience in faith-based nonprofit organizations.
Familiarity with civic institutions, public life, philanthropy, or public policy organizations.
Experience partnering closely with founders, CEOs, executive directors, or boards.
Experience with nonprofit accounting, audits, and financial compliance.
Experience implementing or managing CRM, HR, financial, and operational technology systems.
Personal Characteristics
Deep alignment with the mission and vision of CCPL.
Creedal agreement (Affirms Apostles’ and/or Nicene Creed) and commitment to Christian spiritual formation.
Strong judgment, discretion, and emotional intelligence.
Builder mentality with a commitment to excellence.
Collaborative, humble, and adaptable leadership style.
Ability to thrive in an entrepreneurial environment while bringing structure, stability, and operational rigor to a growing organization.
A desire to work behind the scenes to help others succeed and advance the mission of the organization.
The position is located in Washington, DC, or the surrounding area.
The ideal candidate is willing to travel up to 20% of the year.
Leadership Expectations:
There are several common expectations among members of the core leadership of CCPL.
Commitment to Christian formation: Members of CCPL’s core leadership, in line with CCPL’s mission and values, should be personally pursuing deeper formation into Christlikeness. This is not a legalistic requirement, and each team member’s personal practice will likely look different based on a number of factors. It is a common heart, a common aim, a common source that is desired. With grace, all core leadership is expected to participate in appropriate team practices and team-building activities, and to provide leadership in these practices and activities when appropriate.
All-in Leadership: CCPL’s core leaders are compensated not just to perform the main functions of their specific role, but to seek to advance CCPL’s mission and interests with their intellect, relationships, and other resources at their disposal. Core leadership are expected to take the time to consider how they can contribute to CCPL’s overall work and goals, and to the good of the organization as a whole.
Representative: In addition to the basic commitment to CCPL, its mission and its well-being that is expected of all staff, members of the leadership team are especially expected to represent the organization well in both professional and non-professional settings.
Organizational leadership: Discretion and sound professional judgment are expected among members of the leadership team, as is a culture of mutual support, grounded in a commitment to prayer and the intentional cultivation of goodwill for CCPL leadership and CCPL organizationally. As CCPL grows, the trust, collegiality and support among and between the leadership team will determine the health of the organizational culture as a whole.
Compensation & Benefits
Compensation for this position is competitive and commensurate with experience. Expected compensation is $150,000-$175,000.
Health benefits: Medical with HSA options and full dental and vision coverage.
Paid time off: 20 days vacation and 8 sick days.
Family and medical leave benefits.
Flexible work hours: This full-time job is remote right now with expected travel for periodic in-person meetings and all CCPL in-person events. The role will become hybrid remote and in-person as the organization grows and establishes office space.
Application Process
Please fill out this short questionnaire to apply for the position and submit your resume and a cover letter.
Application is due July 26, 2026.
If you have any questions, please contact careers@ccpubliclife.org.