Head of Operations

Head of Operations

Remote | India-based | Independent contractor | Initially 25 hrs/week, scaling to full-time 

About Clockwork Operations

At Clockwork Operations (https://www.clockworkoperations.com/), we power the world’s most impactful nonprofits by taking care of the finance, HR, compliance, IT administration, and back-office functions that keep them running smoothly. With a strong presence in the U.S., UK, Europe, Asia, and global nonprofit sectors, we provide the operational backbone that allows mission-driven organizations to focus on what they do best—creating real change.

We are at a pivotal moment in our growth. What started as a solo consultancy has rapidly evolved into a trusted, high-performance firm serving dozens of long-term clients. We are now building a world-class team to scale our impact further, and we’re looking for a Head of Operations who will be a key architect in shaping our future.

This is not a plug-and-play role in a highly structured organization—this is an opportunity to build something meaningful from the ground up. If you thrive in a result-oriented, systematic, and disciplined way of work with hawk-eyed attention to detail for our clients' success, enjoy designing and improving processes, and leading teams in a fast-moving, high-standards ethical environment, we’d love to meet you.

Why This Role?

✔ You won’t just manage—you’ll build. This is a startup-stage firm, and you have the opportunity to refine and upgrade our work and systems.

✔ You’ll have autonomy & influence. As the founder’s right hand, you’ll play a key role in shaping the company’s direction and growth.

✔ You will work with leading global non-profit organizations and have an opportunity to support their meaningful and exciting work.

What You’ll Be Doing

This role is a combination of leadership, management, and hands-on operational work. You’ll act as a true second-in-command to the founder—leading projects, overseeing the team, and setting up scalable systems. But you’ll also roll up your sleeves and do the work: drafting contracts, building checklists, responding to clients, and solving problems in real time. You’ll lead by doing, and be trusted with a high degree of autonomy and responsibility.

Overseeing Client Deliverables, Team Performance, and Hands-on Execution (60%)

• Ensure that all work meets the company’s high standards of quality and precision–you will be the final checkpoint before deliverables are client-ready.
• Manage and mentor our team of finance and operations professionals and ensure Clockwork’s values are upheld.
• Own and oversee our internal checklist system, ensuring all recurring tasks (bookkeeping, payroll, compliance, etc.) are completed on time and to standard.
• Maintain a bird’s eye view of all ongoing projects and workstreams, ensuring deadlines are met and nothing falls through the cracks.
• Take on hands-on operational tasks as needed, such as preparing employment contracts, updating policies and handbooks, and drafting client budgets, to shift the founder into an approver role.

Building Systems & Processes internally (20%)

• Develop scalable systems to improve efficiency and streamline operations within Clockwork, such as building and maintaining our project management, checklists, and CRM.
• Take ownership of our project management tool (ClickUp), gradually onboarding the team and ensuring it’s used consistently as we grow.
• Help interview and hire staff as needed.
• Introduce structure where needed—but keep us agile and adaptable.
• In the long-term, drive the people operations function.

Leading High-Level Strategic Projects (20%)

• Drive complex consulting projects such as operational audits, software selection and implementations, and business process design, while ensuring client-centricity. 
• Act as a senior client liaison, upholding strong relationships and clear communication.

Who We’re Looking For

• 8+ years of experience in operations or management consulting. Prior experience as Director of Operations, General Manager, COO, or similar leadership role strongly preferred. Some experience with startups or small teams is essential.
• Excellent and uncompromising attention to detail is a must.
• Experience managing teams respectfully in a fast-paced, high-accountability environment.
• Should thrive in an independent, self-directed work environment, as team interactions are limited to structured, agenda-based meetings only when necessary.
• Ability to treat sensitive information with confidentiality and care.
• Superb verbal and written communication skills and fluency in English.
• Enjoys leadership and people management responsibilities, but is willing to do hands-on work when needed.
• Thrives in a startup setting where systems are still being built.

Who We’reNotLooking For

• Those who have only worked in large, highly structured organizations.
• Candidates who are unwilling to roll up their sleeves to do hands-on work when needed.
• Anyone with a low bar for quality or attention to detail.
• People who want client-facing or primary decision-maker opportunities.

Compensation & Growth

• Competitive pay based on experience and skills, shared early in the application process. Annual performance-based bonus: Up to 10% of base compensation after one year.
• Remote & flexible work environment.
• A high-trust, result-oriented work culture that promotes complete ownership and ethical conduct at all times.
• Opportunity to grow into a COO role.

How Is Success Measured?

You will be successful in this role if: 

✔ In the first 3 months, you have taken a significant part of the day-to-day work from the Founder to support the organization’s strategic growth. 

✔ You have maintained uncompromising attention to detail, and there are zero errors and delays in the client deliverables.

✔ After 4-6 months, you are directly overseeing high-value operational projects, serving as a client liaison, and enhancing client satisfaction.

Our Values

• Operational Excellence: We set high standards for quality and efficiency and strive to improve processes.
• Reliability: We are dependable operations partners to all our clients.
• Relationship-centric: Every single client is important to us, and we are known for our professionalism and kindness.
• Integrity: We do the right thing for our clients’ businesses, always.

Application Process

1. Submit your application here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfU8PPBO2yLEF3kkRiDNoHwVX3LToafLPf8co6_NGMuwtIfgg/viewform?usp=dialog. Please only apply through the form, applications emailed to us will not be considered.
2. Initial interview
3. 3-4 hours of paid test tasks *
4. Final interview
5. Reference checks

* We pay an honorarium of 2,000 INR to candidates who successfully complete the test tasks. 

AI Use Statement

We request that you not use AI as the application form is brief, and we want to see your answers rather than polished responses. Applications that are AI-generated have a very low chance of being moved to the next stage. 

Equal Opportunity Statement

We are an equal-opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, or any other legally protected characteristic. We are committed to creating a workplace that is free from discrimination and harassment.