Director of Operations

Reporting to the Vice President of Operations, the Director of Operations is a hands-on builder charged with supporting the design, implementation, and maintenance of the operational infrastructure that enables Safar Partners to scale as an institutional-grade venture firm. The VP of Operations will be a deeply engaged working partner throughout the build, providing direct guidance, institutional knowledge, and strategic oversight at every stage. 

This is not a role where the infrastructure exists and just needs to be maintained. The Director of Operations will step into an active construction effort — partnering closely with the VP of Operations to design SOPs, implement systems, establish governance frameworks, and create the repeatable operational rhythms the firm needs to compete for institutional LP capital and deliver consistent fund performance. The VP of Operations provides the strategic direction and experience; the Director of Operations provides the execution. 

This role is structured with clear growth intent. As the VP of Operations advances into a broader leadership role, the Director of Operations is expected to develop into the VP of Operations position — taking on increasing strategic responsibility over time as operational systems mature and institutional knowledge deepens. 

A. Building Out the Operational Platform 

This is the defining responsibility of the role — in Year 1 and as the foundation for everything that follows.. The Director of Operations is coordination with the VP of Operations will own the execution of the following: 

• The development and deployment of a structured audit of existing workflows across deal execution, portfolio monitoring, and Safar outbound communications — identifying gaps, redundancies, and single points of failure in coordination with the VP of Operations 
• Oversight of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all recurring firm activities: deal pipeline management, portfolio reporting, and investment onboarding 
• Development of firm-wide operating calendar integrating deal, portfolio, and strategic planning rhythms into a single coordinated framework 
• Development and deployment of repeatable templates and checklists for, portfolio reviews, and Safar communications 
• Oversight of the use of CRM, project management, and document management tools that enforce process adherence and reduce dependence on any one individual 
• Develop centralized operational knowledge base so institutional knowledge is retained and accessible across the organization 
• Development of continuous improvement cadence: quarterly process reviews, team feedback collection, and SOP updates reflecting best practices 
• Escalation protocols and decision-making frameworks to ensure the right issues reach the right people in a timely manner 
• Work closely with the VP of Operations throughout— surfacing design questions, flagging implementation risks, and ensuring the infrastructure being built reflects institutional standards 

B. Firm Operations & Technology 

• Support day-to-day operational collaboration across all functional areas; serve as a central operational liaison across investment, finance, HR, IT, and legal/compliance in coordination with the VP of Operations 
• Collaborate with HR and IT to develop on onboarding processes ensuring operational setup, system access, and documentation are in place so new hires are functional from day one 
• In coordination with IT, support the firm's technology stack as directed by the VP of Operations; contribute to IT roadmap prioritization in alignment with firm strategy 
• In coordination with IT, support cybersecurity governance including endpoint protection, access controls, security training coordination (100% annual staff completion), and incident response protocols 

C. Deal Execution Support 

The Director of Operations supports the process definition and auditing around deal execution — ensuring materials, trackers, and process documentation are in place and adhered to— but does not attend Investment Committee meetings or participate directly in IC deliberations. 

• Build and maintain repeatable templates for IC memos, and deal pipeline tracking in coordination with the VP of Operations 
• Update, as needed, IC memo and due diligence templates semi-annually in coordination with the VP of Operations. 
• Ensure consistent intake process and documentation standards are maintained across the deal pipeline 

D. Portfolio Company Oversight 

• Support a consistent, efficient cadence for portfolio company engagement in coordination with the VP of Operations and investment team 
• Develop Escalation Response processes ensure the VP of Operations and relevant parties are notified within 24 hours of a triggering event 
• Ensure portfolio company documentation and reporting templates are maintained as part of the centralized operational knowledge base 

E. Safar Outbound Relations & Brand Signaling Operations 

The Director of Operations supports the VP of Operations in building and maintaining the operational processes that underpin LP relations and brand signaling. This role does not manage LP relationships or lead fundraising activities directly. 

• Build, as needed, and maintain the operational infrastructure and documentation that supports LP due diligence — data rooms, reporting templates, and process documentation in coordination with the VP of Operations and Brand Management, and other outbound communication 
• Support the VP of Operations and Brand Signaling in developing needed brand signaling processes: maintaining the operational calendar, and ensuring follow-through on deliverables 
• Coordinate LP information, request responses across Finance, Legal, and the Investment Team as directed by the VP of Operations; ensure accuracy, completeness, and timely delivery 
• Maintain fundraising pipeline tracking and ensure follow-up actions from funnel meetings are assigned and completed 
• Identify and surface process improvement opportunities to the VP of Operations to reduce friction in LP-facing workflows 

F. Compliance, Regulatory & Risk Management 

• Support the compliance supervisor function in coordination with Finance and the VP of Operations; ensure adherence to all applicable regulatory requirements 
• Coordinate with Finance on compliance-related documentation; ensure maintenance of records required for regulatory filings 
• Maintain and enforce data security protocols across internal systems and portfolio company interactions 
• Support the VP of Operations in executing the compliance staffing transition plan as the firm adds dedicated resources 

Qualifications

A. Required Experience 

• 5–7 years of progressive operational experience with exposure to venture capital, private equity, financial services, or a comparable institutional environment 
• Demonstrated experience in operational roles with direct accountability for process design, cross-functional coordination, and compliance support 
• Proven track record of maintaining and improving operational infrastructure — including SOPs, governance frameworks, and technology platforms — in a fast-moving, multi-stakeholder environment 
• Strong project and program management capabilities; demonstrated ability to drive multiple concurrent initiatives to completion across functions with different timelines 
• Strong analytical skills 

B. Preferred Qualifications 

• Prior Operations Manager or equivalent operational leadership role at a registered investment adviser, venture capital firm, or multi-fund private markets manager 
• Familiarity with VC/PE technology platforms: Salesforce, Affinity or comparable CRM, fund administration systems, portfolio monitoring tools, and financial reporting platforms 
• Prior experience with commercial data management and business intelligence platforms