Tzu Chi

Administrative Office Flushing, NY — Northeast Region Headquarters; multi-site support as needed Position Summary

The Operations Director provides strategic and day-to-day operational leadership for a mission-driven, faith-based nonprofit organization with approximately 20 staff members and 300–500 volunteers. Serving as a key member of the leadership team, the Operations Director ensures that organizational vision, values, programs, people, and resources are effectively aligned.

This position provides middle management leadership between executive leadership and frontline teams, strengthening operational systems, staff coordination, volunteer engagement, program execution, communication, and organizational effectiveness.

The ideal candidate is a servant leader with strong management experience, excellent interpersonal skills, and a passion for advancing humanitarian and faith-based missions through teamwork, compassion, accountability, and operational excellence.

The ideal candidate is highly organized, primarily in an English and Traditional Chinese environment, comfortable working across multiple platforms and teams, and aligned with Tzu Chi’s values of compassion, humility, and service.

Key Responsibilities

• Organizational Leadership & Daily Operations
• Oversee day-to-day operations to ensure effective execution of organizational goals, programs, and services.
• Translate strategic priorities from executive leadership into clear operational plans and measurable outcomes.
• Coordinate across departments to improve communication, collaboration, and workflow.
• Identify operational challenges and implement practical solutions.
• Establish policies, procedures, and best practices to improve organizational efficiency.
• Promote a culture of professionalism, teamwork, compassion, respect, and continuous improvement.
• Staff Management & Team Development
• Provide leadership, coaching, and supervision to managers, coordinators, and staff members.
• Support staff members through effective communication, accountability, and professional development.
• Facilitate regular staff meetings, goal-setting, performance reviews, and team-building activities.
• Help resolve conflicts and strengthen collaboration among teams.
• Develop future leaders through mentoring and empowerment.
• Coordinate interview scheduling and candidate communications throughout the hiring process.
• Maintain onboarding and offboarding checklists; manage documentation, file transitions, and access coordination.
• Assist with HR compliance documentation including Workers’ Compensation certificates and governance memos.
• Program & Project Management
• Provide operational oversight for programs, events, community services, and special initiatives.
• Ensure programs, such as 1115 Waiver, are delivered effectively, on schedule, and aligned with organizational values.
• Develop project timelines, assign responsibilities, monitor progress, and evaluate outcomes.
• Encourage cross-functional teamwork between program teams, administration, and volunteers.
• Administration, Systems & Compliance
• Improve administrative processes, documentation, reporting systems, and internal controls.
• Support budgeting, resource planning, and responsible stewardship of organizational resources.
• Ensure compliance with organizational policies and applicable nonprofit regulations.
• Maintain accurate operational records and performance reports.
• Evaluate and compare operational platforms and tools; produce summary analyses for leadership.
• Volunteer Management
• Support and strengthen a large volunteer network of 300–500 members.
• Work with volunteer leaders to improve recruitment, training, scheduling, communication, and retention.
• Build a volunteer culture rooted in service, compassion, shared values, and mission commitment.
• Work with volunteer leaders to ensure volunteers receive appropriate guidance, recognition, and opportunities for meaningful contribution.
• Communication & Relationship Building
• Serve as a bridge between executive leadership, employees, volunteers, community partners, and stakeholders.
• Promote transparent, respectful, and timely communication.
• Represent the organization professionally with partners, donors, community groups, and faith-based networks when needed.
• Foster an environment where people feel valued, heard, and inspired.
• Coordinate digital communications and marketing initiatives across internal teams.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, business administration, organizational leadership, social services, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Minimum 5 years of leadership, operations, nonprofit, or organizational management experience.
• Experience managing employees, teams, or large groups of volunteers.
• Strong project management and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to balance compassion with accountability.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail.
• Proficiency with Google Workspace (Drive, Docs, Sheets, Gmail, Calendar) and common productivity tools.
• Strong written communication skills in both languages — able to draft clear, professional correspondence independently.

Preferred Qualifications

• Speaking Mandarin, some capability of reading writing traditional Chinese.
• Experience with nonprofit HR processes, grant administration, or program coordination.
• Awareness or daily usage of AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini); genuine willingness to learn and apply emerging technologies to administrative and program workflows.
• Knowledge of Tzu Chi organizational structure, mission, and volunteer culture.
• Experience working across generational, cultural, and language lines in a community setting.

Working Conditions & Expectations

• Primary work location: Flushing, NY — Northeast Region Headquarters.
• May require occasional evening or weekend availability for organizational events, trainings, or programs.
• Works within a values-driven, multilingual organizational culture — patience, adaptability, and cultural sensitivity are essential.
• Reports directly to the Deputy Regional Executive Officer; supports the Regional Executive Officer; works in close coordination with program, finance, HR, and volunteer teams.

Salary Range

$80,000-$90,000/year, commensurate with experience

Language Required

English as primary, Traditional Chinese is a plus

The Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, Northeast Region (美國慈濟紐約分會) is a faith-based nonprofit serving communities across New York, with satellite sites in Brooklyn, Long Island, Manhattan, and Boston. Our four missions — Charity (慈善), Medicine (醫療), Education (教育), and Humanistic Culture (人文) — guide all programs and volunteer activities. We are committed to building an inclusive, compassionate organization that reflects the communities we serve.