Operations Manager

Reports To: Executive Director

Department: Operations and Administration

Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt

Work Arrangement: Hybrid

Location: Kansas City Metro Area Required

Position Overview

The Operations Manager is a pivotal infrastructure role that ensures AIRR operates with clarity, consistency, and long-term sustainability. Reporting to the Executive Director, this position leads and strengthens the organization’s internal operations, spanning administration, financial coordination, people operations, and compliance, so the team can stay focused on delivering mission-driven impact.

This role is central to building the systems that make the organization work day to day. The Operations Manager designs, implements, and maintains clear workflows, documentation, and operational practices that support staff effectiveness, strengthen accountability, and reduce operational strain on senior leadership. As AIRR continues to grow, this position helps translate vision into reliable processes that enable scale without sacrificing integrity or care.

The ideal candidate brings strong independent judgment, exceptional organizational skills, and comfort operating in a dynamic nonprofit environment. This role blends strategic thinking with hands-on execution and serves as a connective bridge between administrative functions and organizational leadership. The Operations Manager carries meaningful responsibility and influence, offering an opportunity to shape how AIRR operates, grows, and sustains its work over time.

Core Responsibilities

Operations and Systems Management: 35%

• Design, document, and maintain internal operational systems and workflows that support programs, administration, and organizational sustainability.
• Serve as a central point of coordination across internal operations, including calendars, deadlines, contracts, reporting cycles, and internal communications.
• Develop and maintain internal documentation, procedures, and shared tools that improve clarity, consistency, and accountability.
• Proactively identify operational gaps, inefficiencies, or risks and recommend practical, right-sized improvements.
• Support the Executive Director in translating organizational priorities into operational plans and timelines.
   

Financial Coordination and Administrative Infrastructure: 30%

• Coordinate closely with the Executive Director and external bookkeeping or accounting partners to support accurate, timely, and compliant financial operations.
• Oversee and manage budget tracking, expense monitoring, vendor payments, deposits, and reconciliation processes.
• Organize and maintain financial and administrative records for audits, funder reporting, and board use.
• Prepare financial and operational materials for leadership and finance committee review.
• Support donor administration operations, including gift tracking and documentation, in collaboration with leadership and external partners as needed.
   

People Operations and Internal Administration: 20%

• Support core people operations, including onboarding logistics, payroll coordination, benefits administration, and maintenance of personnel files.
• Maintain and update internal policies and procedures, including the employee handbook, in collaboration with leadership.
• Support implementation of people systems such as time tracking, onboarding checklists, and documentation standards.
• Coordinate office operations, vendors, and service providers to ensure systems are functional and well-documented.
• Manage shared drives, internal systems, and basic IT coordination so staff can reliably access tools and information.
   

Compliance, Data, and Organizational Support: 15%

• Maintain accurate and organized records across operational, programmatic, and administrative areas.
• Support compliance with nonprofit, employment, and funder requirements.
• Assist with data retention and digital security practices for employee and organizational information.
• Track operational and internal metrics to support planning, reporting, and compliance.
• Provide general operational support in a small-team environment, exercising sound judgment and prioritization as needs arise.

Required Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, nonprofit management, public administration, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in nonprofit operations, administration, or systems coordination.
• Experience supporting operations in a small or growing organization.
   

Technical and Functional Skills

• Operations and workflow design
• Financial coordination and recordkeeping
• Policy and documentation management
• Vendor and systems coordination
• Data organization and reporting support
   

Preferred Experience

• Experience supporting bookkeeping, audits, or compliance processes.
• Familiarity with HR or people operations functions.
• Experience supporting board or committee-facing materials.
   

Tools and Systems

• Proficiency with Google Workspace or Microsoft Office
• Experience with payroll and accounting systems such as QuickBooks
• Comfort managing shared drives and basic IT tools
   

Core Competencies

• Ownership and initiative in managing systems and follow-through
• Clear and effective communication with staff and leadership
• Strong problem-solving and process improvement skills
• Ability to collaborate across teams and roles
• Analytical thinking and attention to detail
• Adaptability in a growing, evolving nonprofit environment
• Effective time management and prioritization
   

Working Conditions

• Hybrid: with in-person participation for events, trainings, and community meetings.
• Typical expected schedule: 3 days in-office, flexible remote days.
• Hybrid work environment with a mix of office and remote work.
• Standard 40-hour workweek with flexibility as needed.
• Occasional evening or weekend work.
• Limited travel, up to approximately 5 percent.
• Central Time zone, Kansas City Metro Area required.

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary range: $47,600–$65,000 to be finalized based on experience and internal equity.
• Medical stipend and paid time off (PTO).
• Flexible hybrid schedule in a collaborative, mission-driven environment.
   

Career Development

This role is designed to grow with the organization and may evolve as AIRR’s operational needs expand. Potential long-term growth paths include Senior Operations leadership or Director of Operations as organizational scale and complexity increase.
 

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and value a diverse workforce. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.