Solar radiation modification (SRM) may be the only available option, alongside dramatic emissions reductions, adaptation, and rapid scaling of carbon removal, to rapidly limit many climate impacts over the coming decades.  But we don’t know nearly enough about it to make a scientifically-informed decision about potential deployment – and we’re not on a trajectory for rapid, legitimate decision making.

Reflective is a philanthropically-funded initiative to develop the necessary knowledge base and do the requisite technology research and development, urgently and responsibly. 

Operations Manager

What you’ll do

As Reflective’s Operations Manager, you’ll be responsible for making sure we have the systems and processes in place to execute on our mission. You’ll straddle finance and grant administration, people, general operations, and more to ensure that the organization has a functional, nimble internal “operating system.”  

Responsibilities

Grant Administration, Finance, and Compliance:

• Lead the annual 990 and Audit processes.
• Provide administrative support for the entire lifecycle of outgoing grants, including tracking payments, overseeing grant award letters/agreements, and assisting with grant due diligence.   
• Ensure legal compliance in each jurisdiction in which Reflective operates.
• Interface with Reflective’s external counsel. 

People:

• Lead recruiting processes, including acting as a first point-of-contact for candidate, and ensuring a streamlined recs.
• Oversee payroll and benefits processes.
• Provide strong leadership and foster a positive work environment, while promoting professional development opportunities for staff members to enhance their skills and expertise.

General Operations:

• Collaborate with leadership to develop and implement strategic plans that align with the organization's  mission and goals, ensuring that operational processes support the achievement of these objectives.
• Establish performance metrics for various aspects of the organization's operations and regularly report on progress and performance to senior leadership.
• Set up and manage physical offices and/or remote work locations. 
• Manage and improve internal communication tools/channels to ensure effective information sharing, team collaboration, and timely decision-making within the organization, and ensure adherence to good cybersecurity practices. 

Legal and Governance: 

• Act as primary focal point for Reflective’s legal team.
• Ensure compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards, while staying informed of new developments and best practices that may impact Reflective’s operations.
• Manage Reflective’s Expert Review and Scientific Advisory Board, including recruitment/onboard, development/documentation of decision-making processes, and ongoing functioning. 

Who you are

Minimum qualifications

• You have operational experience in orgs of 50+ people. You need to have seen things, personally searched for and successfully hired people (10+), managed multiple terminations, etc.
• You have experience managing at least two different functional orgs (e.g. Finance and Sales or Legal and People, etc.) and scaled at least one of them personally.
• You’re strong on process, organization and coordination across different functions, and complex initiatives.
• Strong ops people should love working for you. You’re a magnet for high-performing people. 
• You’re willing and able to deep in the details *and* to think strategically. Need to go high and low.
• You’re unflappable, solution-oriented, and organized in the face of complexity and rapid change.
• You’re a straightforward and clear communicator.
• You have strong judgment. You’re usually correct, and you’re quick to recognize – and pivot – when you’re not.

Preferred qualifications

• Experience in rapidly-scaling organizations (in an ideal world: has been at a place that scaled in the 40-400 people range). Experience with all the processes, systems, etc. that are required to scale to 50+ without major disarray or disruption would be very helpful. While we don’t think this is a true must have, it would be a huge advantage.
• You have stood up a new org function from scratch.
• You have experience operating in the physical world -- e.g. at a hardware company (computer, biotech, medical hardware), construction, manufacturing etc. Unlike software, research is brutally unforgiving if you don't plan ahead. You will need to think carefully about and carefully manage procurement and supply chains.
• You can work in-person in SF or Ithaca. 

Not needed

• Any scientific or biotech background. Just need an interest in science and a passion for the mission of Reflective.
• A nonprofit background. Reflective is technically a nonprofit, but it doesn't feel like one.

We encourage anyone who is interested in this role to apply, regardless of whether you feel you meet 100% of the qualifications. The top candidates will bring their own unique perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds from a variety of industries along with many but not necessarily all the skills listed above. We offer professional learning and training opportunities to help you develop skills you may not have had the opportunity to cultivate yet.   

Location 

Reflective’s founding team is located in San Francisco, CA and Ithaca, NY.   We love seeing each other in person and believe regular co-location is important to maximally accelerate our work, so we have a strong preference for candidates located – or willing to move to – one of these two cities. However, we will prioritize hiring the right person, and making this job work for them, over location. 

To that end, we plan on quarterly team co-working weeks. And be ready to travel 1-2 times per month for conferences, external meetings, and team gatherings. Of course, we cover those travel costs. 

Compensation + Benefits

We’re committed to being one of the best places to work on climate. This means competitive compensation and benefits, a focus on professional and personal growth, and outstanding culture. This includes:

• Medical, dental, vision insurance    
• 401(k)
• Professional and personal development
• Generous paid time off and sick leave, including parental leave
• Healthy snacks in the office
• Flexible working hours  

Diversity

At Reflective, recruiting, hiring, mentoring, and retaining a diverse workforce is critical to our success.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. 

Reflective is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.