Director of Operations

Director of Operations

Sternhell Group  |  Washington, DC

About the Firm

Founded in 2008, Sternhell Group is a government relations firm in Washington, DC, specializing in public policy, strategic planning, and issue advocacy. The firm represents industry leaders, Fortune 500 companies, trade associations, and not-for-profits across financial services, tax, appropriations, insurance, and technology. Its work spans the US Senate, US House, Administration, and federal agencies.

About the Role

Sternhell Group is seeking a Director of Operations to manage the scheduling, travel, business operations, and event functions of a multi-client practice. The position reports directly to the firm’s founder and principal and works alongside him daily. The role is also among the firm’s most visible, with regular contact with senior client executives, congressional and agency staff, outside counsel, and vendors. The ideal candidate is highly organized, anticipates needs, exercises strong judgment, and is comfortable managing multiple priorities in an environment where schedules and client needs can change quickly.

Primary Responsibilities

The Director of Operations will:

• Manage the principal’s daily, weekly, and long-term calendar, including meetings, calls, events, and travel.
• Handle scheduling requests and invitations, including follow-up and coordination.
• Review incoming requests with the founder and help determine what to accept, decline, delegate, or defer based on priorities and existing commitments.
• Track the congressional calendar, including recesses, hearings, markups, and key regulatory deadlines.
• Arrange business travel, including flights, trains, hotels, ground transportation, and itineraries.
• Manage travel logistics before and during trips, including check-in, boarding passes, monitoring flights and trains, and rebooking as needed. Some after-hours support may be required.
• Prepare meeting briefs and background materials and follow up on action items.
• Manage the monthly invoicing process, including retainer approvals, invoices, payments, and accounts receivable. Coordinate expenses, corporate cards, and accounts payable with the firm’s outside accountant.
• Support Lobbying Disclosure Act compliance with outside counsel, including registrations, quarterly reports, semiannual filings, and related deadlines.
• Manage relationships with vendors across IT, telecom, accounting, insurance, benefits, building management, and subscriptions. Oversee day-to-day office needs and new-hire onboarding.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in scheduling, operations, executive support, or events in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience managing a high-volume calendar for a senior principal and balancing competing priorities.
• Good judgment and the ability to handle routine matters independently while knowing when to escalate an issue.
• Experience managing complex travel, including rebooking when plans change.
• Strong writing skills, a professional presence with senior external contacts, and complete discretion.

Nice to Have

• Experience working in government relations, lobbying, law, trade associations, or consulting.
• Experience in a congressional office, federal agency, or political campaign, particularly in scheduling, operations, or advance.
• Familiarity with LDA filings, bookkeeping or payroll systems, or policy issues. 

Details

Reports to: Founder and Principal

Compensation: $80,000–100,000, commensurate with experience, plus a discretionary bonus. Health, dental, and vision coverage; 401(k) with profit sharing; paid time off; parking.

To apply: Interested candidates are warmly encouraged to send a résumé and cover letter to talent@sternhellgroup.com. Questions may be directed to info@sternhellgroup.com.

Sternhell Group is an equal opportunity employer.