Application Guide
How to Apply for Senior Director of Operations (Remote position)
at ProgressNow
🏢 About ProgressNow
ProgressNow is the communications and digital nerve center for the progressive movement, operating state hubs that deliver electoral and policy victories through data-driven digital content and decades of expertise. As a 100% remote organization, they foster a collaborative environment focused on racial equity, diversity, and inclusion. Working here means directly supporting progressive causes and campaigns that drive real change.
About This Role
This Senior Director of Operations role is central to ensuring the smooth functioning of ProgressNow's remote operations, overseeing HR, finance, legal, and communication flows. You will support the President in budget development and financial reporting while managing internal procedures and compliance for both 501c3 and 501c4 entities. Your work will directly enable the organization to efficiently deliver electoral and policy victories.
💡 A Day in the Life
Start the day with a quick stand-up via Zoom with the President to review priorities. Then dive into QuickBooks to review cash-flow projections and prepare a financial report for an upcoming funder call. Midday, you might hop on a call with an affiliate to troubleshoot a compliance issue, followed by reviewing payroll and updating internal procedures in Asana. After lunch, you'll lead a cross-team meeting to align on budget for a fiscally sponsored project, then wrap up by responding to emails from the board and legal counsel.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who ProgressNow Is Looking For
- A seasoned operations leader with 5+ years in nonprofit operations, specifically with hands-on experience in 501c3 and 501c4 compliance and audit coordination.
- Someone who can translate complex financial concepts to non-finance colleagues and build strong relationships across remote teams, affiliates, and funders.
- A detail-oriented professional who has overseen HR and payroll, and is comfortable managing cash-flow projections and fiscal sponsorships.
- A deeply committed advocate for racial equity and social justice who thrives in a fully remote, fast-paced environment.
📝 Tips for Applying to ProgressNow
Highlight specific experience with 501c3 and 501c4 compliance in your resume, including any audit coordination or fiscal sponsorship management.
Demonstrate your ability to work remotely by mentioning tools you've used (e.g., Slack, Asana, QuickBooks) and how you've maintained team cohesion.
In your cover letter, share a concrete example of how you improved operational efficiency or financial reporting in a previous role.
Show your commitment to racial equity by mentioning any relevant training, initiatives, or volunteer work you've led or participated in.
Research ProgressNow's recent campaigns and state hubs, and mention how your skills could support their specific operational needs.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Emphasize your experience with both 501c3 and 501c4 compliance and audit coordination, as this is a key requirement.', 'Highlight your ability to manage financial reporting for grants and funders, and your comfort with cash-flow projections.', 'Showcase your leadership in HR and operations, especially in a remote or distributed team environment.', 'Express genuine passion for progressive causes and how your operational expertise can help ProgressNow achieve its mission.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Review ProgressNow's website and recent press releases to understand their current campaigns and state hubs.
- → Look into their affiliated organizations and funders to understand the network you'd be coordinating with.
- → Check their social media channels for their tone and messaging style to align with their culture.
- → Read about their commitment to racial equity and any specific DEI initiatives they've undertaken.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don't focus solely on financial experience without addressing the HR and compliance aspects, which are equally important.
- Avoid generic statements about nonprofit work; be specific about your experience with 501c3/c4 and remote operations.
- Don't overlook the racial equity and social justice component; failing to mention your commitment could be a dealbreaker.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!