[Hiring] Senior Director of Business Operations @Watershed Advisors

Role Description

Watershed Advisors is looking for a Senior Director of Business Operations to join our Strategy & Operations Team. As a fully remote organization, our team is set up to work collaboratively on projects across the country every day. This role can be based anywhere in the United States.

The Senior Director of Business Operations is a core member of the Strategy & Operations Team and reports to the Chief Operating Officer. This role leads Watershed's business development, contracts, and risk functions, works closely with our finance team to ensure business sustainability, and elevates data and strategic recommendations to executive leaders. The Senior Director manages our Business & Contracts Managers, partners closely with vertical leaders and delivery teams on business development and contracting decisions and strategies, pulls strategic reports, and conducts targeted FP&A to inform decisions.

The Senior Director's daily work varies, but primary responsibilities include:

• Business development, contracts & risk
  • Lead the business development pipeline — build and maintain reporting on the BD pipeline, bids/RFPs, and contract status.
  • Set contract negotiation parameters and standards, and provide hands-on negotiation support to Managing Directors and Senior Directors on terms and pricing when needed.
  • Oversee contract administration, delivery, compliance, and risk in line with various requirements.
  • Protect Watershed's cash flow — ensure contract terms and invoicing processes are structured to secure timely, accurate payment from clients.
• Pricing, finance & FP&A
  • Lead resource allocation monitoring and analysis — track capacity and utilization across engagements against plan.
  • Oversee targeted FP&A and elevate strategic reporting on contract economics, revenue recognition, and profitability.
  • Partner with the CFO, finance team, and leadership on key financial systems and processes.
  • Support proposal pricing strategy — analyze past pricing, utilization, and profitability.
• Systems & process
  • Guide the continuous improvement and development of business systems (CRM, finance, resource management, and contracts platforms).
  • Improve processes and workflows across business development, contracts, and finance.
• Team & capacity building
  • Manage and develop the Business & Contracts Managers — build their skills and capabilities across the full lifecycle of a deal.
  • Build organizational capacity across delivery teams — help Managing Directors and vertical leaders understand and manage their budgets and forecasts.
  • Contribute to a positive, inclusive, and engaged team culture across Strategy & Operations.
• Build & grow
  • Roll up your sleeves and build from the ground up.
  • Partner with the COO on key strategic projects that support business growth, sustainability, and organizational maturity.

Qualifications

• Contract negotiation experience, including setting negotiation strategy and standards.
• Government contracting, compliance, and risk expertise.
• Business development and contracts experience on the business services side of a consulting or client services firm.
• A strong sense of pricing and profitability.
• Comfort working across finance, contracts, and CRM systems.
• Strong analytical and modeling skills.
• Management experience with a demonstrated ability to lead, coach, and develop a growing team.
• A builder's mindset and willingness to get your hands dirty.
• Clear, concise communication skills.
• High attention to detail and data integrity.
• Systems thinking and process orientation.
• Ability to manage deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• A growth orientation.
• An entrepreneurial mindset.
• A focus on outcomes.
• Collegiality.
• A personal commitment to social justice.

Experience

• 8–10 years of experience in business operations, contracts, pricing strategy, or business development.
• Experience managing teams and negotiating contract terms.
• Experience on the business side of a consulting or client-services firm is valued.

Compensation

• The salary for this position is $140,000–$150,000.
• Includes a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, short-term disability, life, and AD&D insurance.
• Paid sick and personal leave, and stipends for work-from-home expenses and professional development.
• All employees are eligible for end-of-year bonus pay contingent on the business's profitability.

Location

• This position is fully remote.
• Travel is required for 3-4 staff events per year.

To Apply

Please submit your application through our careers page linked here. In addition to submitting your information and resume, please submit brief (no more than 1-2 paragraphs for each question) responses to the questions on the application.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Watershed is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.