Director of Business Operations

Reports to: Co-FounderLocation: Brooklyn, NYCompany: In Common With + QuartersIn Common With + QuartersIn Common With is a design studio defining a new vocabulary for interiors, in which old-world craft meets at-scale manufacturing. Founded in 2018, our practice brings endless curiosity, exceptional materials, and unparalleled adaptability to lighting and objects for all spaces—created with our team of expert craftspeople, artists, and engineers around the world. In 2024, we opened Quarters, a hybrid retail and hospitality destination in Tribeca. Through ongoing collaborations with our peers in the worlds of art and design, Quarters crafts a vision of home that’s unfolding and alive.Our obsessions with craft and collaboration originate from a boundless interest in people, objects, and an ongoing conversation between the two. Every product we make and every partnership we cultivate has that in common.The RoleIn Common With and Quarters are entering a new phase of growth: expanding product categories, increasing operational complexity, developing new business lines, and preparing for geographic expansion. As the organization evolves, we are investing in leadership that strengthens coordination, visibility, and execution across the business.The Director of Business Operations is being created to help ensure that the company strategy translates into structured operation and that teams can execute with clarity, alignment, and operational discipline. This role provides a bird’s-eye view of how the organization functions across entities, departments, and systems, helping leadership anticipate risks, prioritize initiatives, and build the infrastructure needed to support long-term scale.Working closely with a Co-Founder and a leadership team that includes Directors of Sales, Product Design, Supply Chain, Product Operations, Finance, and Brand/Marketing. This position strengthens how these teams operate together by establishing planning frameworks, improving organizational visibility, and supporting the operational readiness needed as the company grows.Within this scope, the role also leads People & Culture (HR) and IT as enabling functions that support organizational design, employee experience, and technical infrastructure across the company.This is an opportunity for an experienced operator who is comfortable balancing strategic thinking with hands-on execution, and who is energized by building structure within a creative, fast-moving environment.Core ResponsibilitiesCompany Operations & Strategic Planning (30%)Establish and manage the company’s operating cadence, including quarterly planning cycles, leadership reviews, and company-wide performance trackingTranslate strategic priorities into coordinated execution plans that clarify ownership, sequencing, and resource requirementsMaintain visibility into key operational risks, dependencies, and performance indicators while consulting across cross-functional initiativesSupport the leadership team in evaluating growth opportunities such as new product categories, market expansion, or new business entitiesDefine the company’s People & Culture strategy, including organizational design, workforce planning, and performance frameworks, ensuring alignment with business goals and growth plansDirect the People & Culture Manager to translate strategic priorities into scalable programs across hiring, onboarding, performance management, and employee experience, ensuring consistent execution across teamsSystems, Technology & Infrastructure (30%)Own the strategy and governance of core business systems and operational infrastructure. Ensure tools can scale with the business, define policies and user access, system change management, and cross-platform data standardsStrengthen reporting frameworks and performance visibility, enabling leadership to track progress against financial and operational goalsImprove workflow continuity by standardizing planning processes, documentation, and performance metricsPartner with functional leaders to assess and implement future system needs, including ERP capabilities, process automation, and cross-platform integrationsDirect the IT team, who owns day-to-day administration of hardware, network infrastructure, access systems, SaaS licensing, device management, and system integrations across all locationsCross-Functional Execution & Organizational Effectiveness (20%)Project manage complex initiatives that require coordination across multiple departments, ensuring clear timelines, accountability, and forward momentumIdentify operational gaps between departments, such as recurring friction points, unclear handoffs, or duplicated efforts across teams. Improve and ensure adoption of the workflows by collaborating with directors and managers to establish decision rights and clear structures.Own the cadence and structure of capacity planning across departments by bringing together directors, People & Culture, and Finance to assess resourcing needs, surface tradeoffs, and drive decisionsBuild operational frameworks that support new business lines and service offerings, including international expansion, subsidiary development, or increased customization and project work, ensure business can execute on growth without outpacing its infrastructureOperational Readiness & Risk Management (20%)Provide strategic oversight of studio, retail, and event environments to support safe, compliant, and effective operations at all locationsOwn operational planning for new locations, facility changes, or major infrastructure investments. Collaborate with owners, finance, and each team on operational needs.Ensure appropriate risk mitigation strategies are in place, including insurance coverage, vendor agreements, and operational compliance across all areas of the businessSupport infrastructure planning for new initiatives, events, or business lines to ensure operational continuityDevelop and maintain contingency plans for operational disruptions, including system outages, facility incidents, supply chain failures, or business continuity risks, to ensure the organization can respond quickly and continue operating effectivelyServe as the escalation point for facilities and infrastructure issues that require Director-level judgment or cross-functional coordinationEnsure the company is covered with the necessary Legal contracts and protection. Manage trademark, IP, and patent information, and partner with outside counsel to create and maintain all contractsEstablish and oversee company-wide compliance frameworks related to employment practices, policies, and workplace standards, ensuring alignment with legal requirements and operational needsProvide strategic direction on organizational readiness, including staffing models, policy development, and employee-related risk mitigation, while partnering with the People & Culture Manager to implement and maintain compliant, day-to-day practicesDirector Level ExpectationsProvide strategic leadership by setting vision, planning for long-term goals, and navigating complexity across functions.Drive department-level outcomes through scalable systems, cross-functional initiatives, and clear success metrics.Lead and develop managers and senior individual contributors while fostering accountability, collaboration, and growth.Oversee multi-team operations, coordinate resources and priorities, and ensure high-performance execution.Champion continuous improvement by measuring results, analyzing performance, and implementing initiatives that enhance efficiency and impact.Ensure the development and maintenance of clear, effective Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) or equivalent process documentation that support consistency, quality, and scalability across teams.Requirements8–12+ years of experience in business operations, strategic operations, management consulting, or similar leadership rolesDemonstrated experience working closely with founders or executive leadership in a growing organizationProven track record of leading cross-functional initiatives that require coordination across multiple teams and prioritiesStrong analytical capability and financial literacy, with experience using performance data to inform planning and decision-makingExperience designing and implementing scalable processes, planning frameworks, or operational systemsAbility to navigate ambiguity and shifting priorities while maintaining momentum on key initiativesExcellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build alignment across diverse teamsExperience managing direct reports or leading multi-disciplinary programsProficiency with collaborative tools such as Google Workspace and project management or reporting platforms like AsanaMust be authorized to work in the United States without current or future employer sponsorshipDesired QualificationsExperience working in a design-led, product-based, retail, manufacturing, or hospitality-adjacent businessFamiliarity with the operational dynamics of physical product companies, including product development cycles, inventory planning, and multi-channel sales environmentsExperience with e-commerce, trade sales, showroom operations, and experiential retail formatsExperience supporting organizational growth through category expansion, new market entry, or the launch of new business entitiesBackground in implementing or evolving business systems such as ERP, CRM, PLM, EDI, or project management platformsExperience building operational structure within entrepreneurial or founder-led companiesComfort working in creative environments where collaboration, adaptability, and strong interpersonal skills are essentialDetail-oriented with excellent organizational and communication skillsAbility to work effectively with others across functions and levelsComfortable with ambiguity and change; able to learn quickly in a fast-paced environmentDemonstrated ability to own work, meet deadlines, and follow through on commitmentsStrong critical thinking and problem-solving skillsOpen to giving and receiving feedback as part of a culture of growth and learningConducts work with integrity, confidentiality, and professionalismA genuinely empathetic group. We have a non-negotiable no jerks policy. Being nice is free.Dog-friendly (we share our studio with a few four-legged coworkers)Studio + CompensationThis is a full-time position based in Gowanus, BrooklynHours are Monday–Friday from 9 am to 6 pm ESTSalary range of $130,000-$155,000, commensurate with experienceBenefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance (with 100% monthly premium coverage options), PTO, a 401(k) with employer match, and profit sharing.