Lead People Operations at Common Defense: Remote Senior Director Opportunity($205K Annually)

If you’re an experienced human resources and organizational development leader looking to make a meaningful impact, the Senior Director of People Operations role at Common Defense offers an exceptional opportunity. This fully remote executive position combines strategic leadership, people management, organizational development, and culture-building within one of the United States’ leading progressive nonprofit organizations.

Designed for seasoned professionals with extensive leadership experience, this position offers the chance to help shape an inclusive workplace while supporting a mission dedicated to strengthening democracy, advancing social justice, and empowering communities across the country.

About Common Defense

Common Defense is the nation’s largest grassroots organization of progressive veterans, military family members, and civilian allies. The organization works to build a more inclusive and equitable democracy by mobilizing communities around civic engagement, advocacy, leadership development, and strategic campaigns.

Its work focuses on promoting social, economic, and racial justice while combating extremism and strengthening democratic institutions. Guided by the core values of equity, justice, progress, and collective power, Common Defense continues to expand its impact through people-centered leadership and community-driven action.

As the organization grows, it is seeking an experienced Senior Director of People Operations to help cultivate a thriving organizational culture and strengthen its workforce.

An Executive Leadership Role

Reporting directly to the Executive Director, the Senior Director of People Operations will serve as a key member of the executive leadership team. The successful candidate will lead the organization’s people strategy while ensuring that human resources practices align with Common Defense’s mission, values, and long-term goals.

The role is fully remote and can be performed from anywhere within the United States, offering flexibility while collaborating with staff located across multiple states.

Key Responsibilities

The successful candidate will oversee a wide range of strategic initiatives that support employee growth, organizational effectiveness, and operational excellence.

Major responsibilities include:

• Developing and implementing a comprehensive people and human resources strategy.
• Leading recruitment efforts to attract exceptional, mission-driven talent.
• Strengthening onboarding, professional development, and career advancement programs.
• Enhancing performance management systems and leadership development initiatives.
• Overseeing compensation, benefits, and employee engagement strategies.
• Building a collaborative workplace culture rooted in equity, trust, and accountability.
• Supporting organizational change management during periods of growth and transformation.
• Using workforce data to guide strategic decision-making and improve organizational effectiveness.
• Supervising internal staff, external consultants, and HR service providers.
• Managing labor-management relationships while ensuring compliance with collective bargaining agreements.

This role requires balancing strategic vision with day-to-day operational leadership, making it ideal for professionals who excel at both organizational planning and people management.

Who Should Apply?

Common Defense is seeking an accomplished leader with significant experience in human resources, organizational development, leadership coaching, or nonprofit management.

Ideal candidates should possess:

• At least 15 years of progressively responsible leadership experience.
• More than 10 years of management or supervisory experience within nonprofit organizations.
• Experience supporting geographically distributed or fully remote teams.
• A strong understanding of organizational change management.
• Demonstrated expertise in employee relations and leadership development.
• Experience working within unionized environments and managing labor relations.
• Outstanding communication, facilitation, and relationship-building skills.
• Strong project management and organizational abilities.
• A collaborative leadership style with a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Candidates should also have a genuine passion for Common Defense’s mission of advancing democracy, civic participation, and social justice.

Outstanding Compensation and Benefits

The position offers a highly competitive annual salary ranging from USD $165,000 to $205,000, reflecting the senior leadership responsibilities associated with the role.

Employees also enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Retirement benefits
• Generous paid time off
• Paid family and medical leave
• Professional development support
• Flexible remote work arrangements

These benefits demonstrate the organization’s commitment to supporting employee well-being and long-term professional success.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

Few nonprofit leadership positions offer the opportunity to influence every aspect of organizational culture while working alongside a mission-driven executive team. The Senior Director of People Operations will help shape the employee experience, strengthen leadership capacity, and guide the organization through continued growth and transformation.

Professionals who enjoy mentoring leaders, building inclusive workplaces, improving organizational systems, and creating strategies that empower employees will find this role especially rewarding.

In addition to leading human resources operations, the successful candidate will play a critical role in helping Common Defense remain a workplace where collaboration, accountability, and shared purpose drive lasting impact.

Build the Future of Mission-Driven Leadership

The Senior Director of People Operations position is more than a human resources role—it’s an opportunity to help shape the future of an organization committed to justice, equity, and democratic engagement.

If you have extensive leadership experience, thrive in collaborative environments, and are passionate about helping people and organizations reach their full potential, this remote executive opportunity could be your next career milestone.

By joining Common Defense, you’ll contribute to building a stronger organization that empowers its employees while advancing meaningful change in communities across the United States.

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Disclaimer: Remote Job Opportunities (RJO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the responsible organization directly. Please do not send your applications to RJO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of  emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.