Director of Operations

Founded in 1981, The Public Law Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing free legal services to low-income residents and other nonprofits in Orange County. Last year, Public Law Center staff and volunteers provided over 65,000 hours of free legal services in handling over 4,500 cases benefiting low-income children, adults and seniors. The estimated value of this work is roughly $60 million in just the past three years. Our services include counseling, individual representation, community education and strategic policy advocacy and impact litigation to challenge societal injustices.

The Director of Operations is a senior leadership position responsible for the effective, efficient, and equitable operation of Public Law Center. Reporting to the CEO/Executive Director, the Director oversees core administrative systems, risk management including liability insurance, facilities, technology, vendor relationships, and organizational processes, and collaborates across departments to support PLC’s legal services and mission. Specific direct reports will be determined based on organizational structure.

The Director will be charged with: 

• →Leading day-to-day organizational operations and developing systems, policies, and procedures that support effective service delivery and organizational growth.
• →Overseeing office administration, reception, facilities, equipment, space planning, workplace safety, and business continuity planning.
• →Managing vendor relationships, contracts, purchasing, and procurement processes, with attention to cost effectiveness and accountability.
• →Partnering with finance leadership on annual budgeting, expense monitoring, operational forecasts, internal controls, and financial reporting processes.
• →Overseeing organizational technology operations in coordination with internal staff and external IT providers, including cybersecurity practices, access management, and technology planning.
• →Collaborating with leadership on human resources operations, including onboarding and offboarding processes, employee policies, benefits administration coordination, and staff support.
• →Supervising and developing assigned operations and administrative personnel, including setting priorities, providing coaching, and conducting performance management.
• →Improving cross-departmental workflows, records management, document retention, data practices, and administrative tools to strengthen consistency and service quality.
• →Supporting compliance and risk management with applicable employment, workplace, contractual, insurance, and grant-related operational requirements in coordination with appropriate internal and external experts.
• →Coordinating operational planning for organizational events, meetings, audits, and strategic initiatives.
• →Identifying operational risks, developing practical solutions, and providing regular updates and recommendations to the CEO/Executive Director.
• →Support development and implementation of the strategic plan.

• At least five years of progressively responsible experience in operations, administration, or organizational management, including supervisory experience, required.

• Demonstrated ability to manage budgets, vendors, contracts, projects, and competing organizational priorities required.

• Experience improving processes and implementing operational systems across teams required.

• Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, analytical, and problem-solving skills required.

• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and exercise sound judgment required.

• Experience in a nonprofit, legal services, or mission-driven organization preferred.

• Familiarity with HR administration, facilities, IT coordination, compliance, and organizational risk management preferred.

• Must be able to work from the office four to five days a week. Some hybrid work permitted if able to work from home in a distraction-free and confidential environment. Must have ability to work at the organization’s offices in Santa Ana, CA, and travel to work sites located throughout Orange County, CA.

• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including occasional evenings and weekends, required.

• Bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree preferred.

• Bilingual English/Spanish or English/Vietnamese preferred.