Operations Manager

Company Description

ASL19 is a technology and exiled media organization focused on countering digital authoritarianism and advancing digital rights worldwide. Named after Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the organization has spent over a decade collaborating with civil society groups, social movements, and exiled media in highly restrictive environments. ASL19 develops technical tools and educational programs that address information control, manipulation, and other forms of digital repression. Its services have enabled millions of people in countries such as Iran, China, and Russia to access uncensored information and strengthen media literacy. ASL19’s work is guided by an Information Resilience Framework that emphasizes free access to information, information integrity, community capacity building, and research-informed understanding of local realities.

Role Description

We are recruiting an Operations Manager to help support our team in the areas of HR and Operations, including office management. You will be working directly with the Director of Operations and People (DOP) in order to ensure that our systems continue to be responsive to changing team needs.

Our ideal candidate is passionate about working with people and building systems. Given that our team is from a number of different cultural backgrounds, you should be comfortable working in multicultural workspaces and teams. You are organized, detail-oriented and a good communicator. The candidate will preferably have experience in operations, HR, project management, and a wide range of technical platforms They should be able to work both independently and as part of a team.

As our projects incorporate high user security and privacy protections, we require the successful candidate to understand user privacy and discretion, and can hold themselves to high standards of confidentiality and integrity. Our team is highly collaborative, and we will do our best to support your work and provide room for growth.

Responsibilities:

Human Resources – People Management

• Lead Human Resources and the development of a healthy, positive organizational culture
• Contribute to the overall wellbeing of the workplace culture and environment through conflict management, workplace programming, retreats, social events, etc
• Check in with team members in order to support their different needs (i.e. 100% remote workers, hybrid workers, etc.)
• Updating and implementing HR policies and processes
• Manage HR cycle (recruitment, contracting, background checks, onboarding, systems and equipment setup, performance management processes, staff trainings and management trainings, and offboarding)
• Manage benefits such as insurance, health membership, professional development, etc.
• Working in partnership with the Security team and DOP to keep team updated and trained on security protocols

Operations – Systems Management

• Oversee the day to day operations to ensure efficiency, alignment and compliance across ASL19’s programs and teams
• Design and streamline operational and communications processes and systems around various areas of work, particularly in relation to scalability
• Proactively identify, monitor, and work to resolve issues, inefficiencies, and risks that are hindering smooth operations workflow and coordination among teams
• Support cross-functional workflows and organization-wide changes across various teams including Finance, Operations, Fundraising, and Management
• Work closely with the DOP and relevant team members to support the strategic planning and implementation for longer-term projects
• Manage the Operations budget including ensuring compliance with procurement
• Support the development, documentation, and compliance of organizational policies and standard operating procedures
• Support tracking our internal outcomes and impact
• Send internal communications to the team on a regular basis to keep the team informed of relevant operational updates.
• Manage a hybrid office (checking mail, coordinating packages, managing cleaners, organizing office lunches and snacks, managing equipment and supply inventories, etc.)
• Provide technical support to team members for equipment and systems maintenance
• Arrange travel and accommodation as needed for team members
• Other administrative and support tasks relevant to this position

Qualifications:

• Will need to reside in Toronto/GTA and be able to work legally in Canada
• 5 years+ of experience in an operations management, HR, and/or project management role
• Understanding of or interest in digital rights, information integrity, civil society strengthening, or related fields.
• Experience working with global teams or in cross cultural contexts with strong conflict management skills
• Able to relate to and build trust with diverse team members and facilitate knowledge sharing and educational programs for the team
• Clear, timely, and consistent written and oral communications skills in English, including active listening skills
• Digitally literate and tech-savvy with experience in: Project management tools, budgeting and basic financial tracking, collaborative workspaces like Google Workspace, technical troubleshooting, basic digital security, and cross-platform fluency (Mac, PC, Android)
• Strong skills in planning, organizing, and prioritizing work across multiple projects and stakeholders
• Ability to develop, document, and refine operational processes, workflows, and policies
• Strategic thinker that is thoughtful about how different processes can impact different team members to improve or evolve processes to reflect changing dynamics or needs
• Proactive, flexible, and creative problem solver with a curiosity and passion to constantly learn new things (a strong self-learner)
• Ability to handle and protect confidential information with the highest level of discretion