About Open Lunar Foundation
Open Lunar is a 501c3 non-profit organization with a growing international community of lunar and adjacent field experts. Our team and community bring diverse experiences and perspectives, working together to achieve our mission.
Vision: A peaceful, cooperative human presence on the Moon for the benefit of all life, with diverse participants and a governance system driven by stakeholders. This approach values both the Moon’s intrinsic worth and practical uses, serving as a model for responsible human expansion.
Strategy: Develop key public good infrastructure that influences early lunar governance, setting standards for how governance will evolve by embedding important values into utility operations.
Mission: Launch and mature infrastructure projects tackling lunar challenges (e.g., dust, tech interoperability, ownership), while demonstrating good governance. These efforts should involve a global community and promote shared leadership beyond US dominance.
Method: Use an innovation program blending funding, talent, and ideas to turn concepts into projects with traction, following an RnD Lab/accelerator/incubator/studio approach.
With only three staff, and ~10 contract roles, Open Lunar has an outsized impact and is regularly turned to for support from space agencies and heads of state. Our reach is substantial, and we are both a ‘voice’ and a ‘builder’. The organization involves 50 contributors in the annual innovation processes, along with 87 formal advisors and 75 volunteers, who collectively contribute 420 hours annually. We incubate 5-10 projects at any time.
Position Overview
This is a rare and unique opening. We’re seeking an experienced Director of Operations to help lead Open Lunar through an exciting period of growth. This role is ideal for someone with 7-10 years of operations experience in non-profit, policy, tech, or science-focused fields, who is comfortable balancing strategic planning with hands-on day-to-day execution. You’ll work closely with a small, passionate team (currently three full-time staff) to manage everything from program delivery and financial oversight to legal compliance, HR, and community engagement.
As Director of Operations, you will lead key areas like budgeting, organizational culture, communications, compliance, and HR. In addition to core operational responsibilities, you’ll also contribute to the programmatic delivery of our fellowship research program and oversee projects and grant-making for new initiatives. You will do all this in partnership and direction with the Executive Director.
This role requires someone who can provide strategic direction while ensuring smooth daily operations. You’ll manage our portfolio of projects, maintain compliance, keep us within budget, and foster a culture of transparency, collaboration, and excellence. We’re looking for a proven leader who is creative, collaborative, and takes ownership in their work. Experience in the space industry or an adjacent field is a big plus, as we need someone who can both strategize and execute at a high level.
This position will be best taken on by someone who brings senior strategic value, as well as being hands on and willing to serve the needs of the day. Without a flock of junior staff, this organization relies on it’s Director of Operations to do it all. On any given day, you will be in a staff meeting, a partner meeting, hiring a fellow, coaching a project lead on budgeting, navigating an administrative problem and sitting on hold with a customer service line to resolve it fast, sending grant documents for signatures, working with the accountant on the 990, managing the social media service provider, and running billpay. This role tends to lead to large processes such as recruitment, or website revamp, or events and may be demanding for weeks at a time before a more steady period. The right candidate will be process driven, fastidious, and level headed. The right candidate will be able to humbly switch between leading others and rolling up sleeves. If back-casting, frame-switching and keeping everyone updated are in your wheelhouse, read on!
Key Responsibilities
Financial and Compliance Management
Manage the organization’s financial systems, budgets, and reporting, in collaboration with the Treasurer, Bookkeepers, and Accountant.
Oversee compliance with legal, tax, and regulatory obligations, including human resources, contracts, and charitable status.
Oversee annual reviews or audits as required by non-profit laws.
Ensure all operational activities adhere to best practices in non-profit governance and risk management.
Manage incoming mail and email inquiries.
Human Resources and Community Management
Lead HR functions, including hiring, contracts, benefits, and payroll for an international team.
Lead volunteer management and run smooth operating processes for community members to step up and take on relevant workload that suits their interests and the organisation's needs.
Cultivate a staff culture that supports staff well-being, development, and engagement.
Foster an inclusive, and transparent culture that encourages collaboration, innovation, and openness across the community.
Support the Executive Director in building and executing 360 reviews and performance enhancement plans for team and initiative leads.
Build and manage relationships with external partners, advisors, and a growing network of volunteers and collaborators.
Operational Leadership and Oversight
Lead and develop operational strategies that align with Open Lunar’s mission and vision.
Work closely with the Executive Director to ensure smooth and efficient operations across all programs and initiatives.
Serve as a key member of the team, contributing to strategic planning and decision-making processes.
Oversee and continuously improve operational systems for a fully remote team, including communications, IT infrastructure, and administrative processes.
Ensure all operational documentation is up-to-date, and manage workflows to support efficient internal operations.
Communications Strategy & Leadership
Lead internal communications to ensure all staff and stakeholders are aligned and informed about the organization's goals, timelines, and achievements.
Oversee external communications, including media relations, newsletters, social media, and public-facing content.
Collaborate with the Executive Director and team to ensure a consistent and compelling brand voice across all platforms.
Programmatic Delivery
Assist with the execution of Open Lunar’s programs and projects, ensuring they are delivered on time and within budget.
Manage grant delivery to programs and projects and maintain appropriate documentation and checks.
Manage project tracking, reporting, and ensure continuous improvement through feedback from stakeholders.
Work with cross-disciplinary teams to evaluate and incubate new initiatives.
Qualifications
7-10 years of operational experience, with a preference for small or start up non-profit, policy, tech, or science-driven organizations.
Hands on experience bringing a generalist skill set to small teams, including delegation to volunteers or hiring contractors as needed.
Strong ability to self manage and project manage not other processes but also self in a fast-paced environment.
Experience leading non-profit organizations, with a strong understanding and appetite for learning compliance, non-profit business operations, insurance, and governance needs.
Strong financial acumen, with experience in accounting, budget management, international contracts, and compliance.
Comfortable working and managing remotely with asynchronous tools such as Slack, G Suite, Zoom, Asana, and Canva.
Proven ability to manage communication strategies and execution such as social media, newsletters and brand
Our ideal candidate would be from within the space community or adjacent sectors. However at a minimum, familiarity with complex sectors e.g. economic policy, hard science, or hardware or software RnD.
Strong alignment with organizational values, such as being highly collaborative and open, never working in silos, not afraid to ask for help, demonstrates ownership, diligence and rigor.
Exceptional organizational and leadership skills, such as the ability to convene meetings with stakeholders and staff independently while managing expectations across multiple projects and limited resources.
Ability to quickly absorb and comprehend complex ideas and leverage the expertise of others.
Fluent in English; proficiency in additional languages is an asset.
Ability to manage dynamic workload, and prioritise effectively, including managing your own wellbeing and rest while ensuring that the demands of this role are met fully.
Work Specifics
Our team operates remotely, and we rely on tools like Slack, Zoom, and Google Suite for collaboration.
Our main time zones are PT and ET. Locating outside these time zones is possible provided there is a commitment to be online during normal work hours/meeting times PT/ET.
This is a full time position, with flexibility around work hours. You’ll manage your schedule and coordinate with the team to make work and family or personal commitments balanced.
This position requires flexibility to take occasional calls outside typical work hours, especially if based in a time zone outside of North America.
Our values include openness, transparency, collaboration, flexibility, respect, and empathy.
Compensation
Salary range: $95,000 - $110,000 USD, depending on experience and location.
Health benefits. If you are in the US, we offer a Health Care Reimbursement covering 100% of your healthcare premiums, if you’re outside of the US we will design a healthcare package with you through our global HR platform, and we cover 100% of basic healthcare premiums.
Office and ergonomic equipment stipend, annual continued education opportunities. .
Flexible PTO, with an expected total leave of 4-6 weeks per year including a full organizational shut down in the two weeks crossing Christmas and New Years.
FAQ
Why is this position available?
Our current operations lead, who has been with Open Lunar for four years, is moving on to a new adventure. However, they will be involved in the transition process and will help onboard and support the incoming Director of Operations to ensure a smooth handover.
How big is the team currently?
We are a small but passionate team of three full-time staff members, supported by a growing community of experts, advisors, and collaborators across the globe.
What is it like working at Open Lunar?
Working at Open Lunar is dynamic, collaborative, and rewarding. As a small, mission-driven organization, each team member plays a vital role and wears many hats. We foster a culture of openness, transparency, and innovation, where we value flexibility, communication, and a shared commitment to our mission. The work is meaningful, and our small size means everyone has a significant impact on shaping our projects and initiatives.
What stage is Open Lunar at?
At this stage in the organization's development, we are locking in and stabilizing what’s working, while continuing to improve core processes to grow. The Director of Operations will be a strong foundational role in the team to ensure the excellence of existing processes while building new ones and advancing the mission. This is not yet a well oiled machine. This role will need to use a hands on startup mindset in order to bring sufficient capacity to needs. Think of us as just pre-Series A.
Is this a remote position?
Yes, we are a fully remote organization, with staff and partners across different time zones. We use tools like Slack, Zoom, and G Suite to collaborate and communicate. While we have core working hours, we value flexibility and prioritize results over hours worked.
What time zones do you work in?
Our main time zones are Pacific Time (PT), Eastern Time (ET). We work across many time zones and ask that team members be available for key meetings within these windows.
What kind of projects does Open Lunar work on?
Open Lunar focuses on governance, infrastructure, and collaboration in the lunar ecosystem. We work on precedent-setting projects that influence global space policy and foster responsible lunar stewardship. Our initiatives include research programs, community engagement, and the development of key tools for peaceful lunar settlement.
How to Apply
If you are interested in this position, please apply at the link Director of Operations Form. We are reviewing applications on a rolling basis, so please apply as soon as you can. Reach out to rachel@openlunar.org with any questions.