Director of Operations

The New Farm Centre For Climate Action; Clearview; On-site; CAD 115,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Extended health benefits

Dental benefits

Pension contributions

4 weeks paid vacation + 2 weeks winter

Job summary

The New Farm Centre seeks a passionate and detail-oriented Director of Operations to lead finance, HR, IT, facilities, and risk management for a growing regenerative agriculture charity near Creemore, ON. You will report to the Executive Director and work with a four-member senior leadership team.

This full-time role offers a $115,000–$145,000 salary, hybrid location, benefits, pension, and paid vacation, with travel to farm sites and in-person meetings.

Qualifications

• 7-10 years of progressively responsible experience in a finance and HR leadership role within a nonprofit or similar organization.
• Proven ability to lead budgeting, financial reporting, risk management and governance.
• Experience building high-impact, mission-driven teams and fostering inclusive cultures.
• Strong strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and fundraising coordination skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead budgeting, financial management, cash flow, reporting and risk management.
• Oversee recruitment, benefits, performance reviews and employee engagement.
• Ensure IT infrastructure, software licenses and document management are effective.
• Oversee facilities management and infrastructure development on site.
• Provide board governance support and prepare materials for governance bodies.
• Manage risk and ensure regulatory compliance; support leadership with strategic decisions.
• Lead and mentor Operations and Events Managers; coordinate cross-functional communication.

Skills

Leadership

Finance leadership

HR leadership

Strategic planning

Communication

Belonging & inclusion

Education

Advanced degree in relevant field

Job description

The New Farm Centre is a registered charity dedicated to demonstrating and advocating for a regenerative farming system that mitigates climate change, fosters healthy ecosystems and communities, and improves farmer livelihoods. We are first and foremost a working farm. In addition to growing regenerative organic certified vegetables and raising livestock, we operate experiential education programs, donate the majority of the food grown on the farm to a network of good food organizations, partner with farmers and landowners in our area to promote regenerative practices, and work on policy initiatives to spread regenerative agriculture across Canada.

The New Farm Centre seeks a passionate and detail-oriented finance and HR leader with an appetite for growth and innovation. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Operations will play a key role in building the regenerative food movement by developing our impactful and high-performing organization. The Director of Operations will lead the Centre’s financial strategy and will manage a $3.6 million annual operating budget. They will lead a human resources approach centred on collective leadership and a culture of belonging for our extremely mission-driven team – ten permanent and eight seasonal staff with diverse job responsibilities. The Director of Operations will also oversee risk management, provide board governance support, and oversee the management of several beautiful and functional facilities on our farm, from our commercial kitchen and state-of-the‑art convening space to our wash‑pack facility and barn. The Director of Operations will also lead significant infrastructure development over the next few years. This person will play a key role in ensuring that our growing organization is resilient and sustainable, is in compliance with regulatory requirements, and is a top‑tier employer and steward of charitable resources.

Responsibilities

• Finance and Administration:
  • Lead budgeting and financial management, including budget development and oversight, cash flow and investment management, financial reporting, and risk management.
  • In collaboration with the rest of the senior leadership team, lead strategy and target‑setting for revenue generating enterprises, including events and farm sales.
  • Provide financial analysis related to fundraising and revenue‑generating programs.
  • Identify key financial needs, create financial projections, and report on financial performance.
  • Support the Executive Director in fundraising strategy and implementation, including the development of a major capital campaign.
  • Oversee annual tax audit and regulatory compliance.
  • Ensure the organization has the necessary insurance and administrative support to accomplish its mission.
• Human Resources:
  • Oversee strategy and implementation of recruitmentment and hiring processes, performance review processes, and employee engagement initiatives.
  • Supervise administration of employee benefits, including health and pension / GRSP benefits.
  • Lead strategy for Health & Safety and risk management initiatives.
• Information Technology:
  • Ensure appropriate and effective hardware, software, and cyber security.
  • Manage necessary software licenses.
  • Ensure effective document management across the organization.
• Facilities and Infrastructure Oversight:
  • Oversee proper management of existing and developing facilities and convening operations, including events, professional kitchen space, farm worker housing, farm house, and farm infrastructure.
  • Lead operations needs for new infrastructure development, including the design and build of a state‑of‑the‑art convening centre on site.
• Board Governance:
  • Lead financial reporting to the board, including presentations at board meetings.
  • Develop appropriate Board governance materials and necessary policies and procedures as needed.
  • Ensure board support with materials, agendas and minutes.
• Risk Management:
  • Evaluate and mitigate organizational risks, developing and implementing appropriate risk management strategies.
• Leadership:
  • Manage direct reports, including the Operations Manager and Events Manager.
  • Participate in strategic decision‑making for the organization as one of four members of the senior leadership team.
  • Coordinate effective communication across the organization to ensure clarity, information sharing and adequate support.

Decision Making/Accountability

Makes critical decisions related to organizational strategies, resource allocation, and policy implementation. Accountable for the overall performance and success of the functions under their supervision.

Contacts/Interpersonal Skills

Engages with internal and external stakeholders, including staff, board members, donors, government officials, and community representatives. Requires exceptional communication and negotiation skills.

Supervision Received

Reports to the Executive Director. Receives general guidance and direction regarding organizational goals and objectives.

Supervision Exercised

Provides direct supervision, mentorship, and performance management to the Operations Manager and Events Manager. May indirectly oversee a number of staff members across various departments.

Working Environment

Primarily office‑based work, with regular in‑person attendance at meetings or events and occasional travel. Exposure to high‑pressure situations and the need to manage competing priorities.

Qualifications

• 7-10 years of progressively responsible experience in a finance and HR leadership role within a similar organization or industry.
• Passion for our mission and appetite for innovation.
• Experience building and developing a new and high‑impact organization.
• Expert knowledge of management principles, financial management, and human resources, including relevant laws, regulations, and ethical standards in the charitable sector.
• Demonstrated experience in creating cultures of belonging and building collective leadership.
• Proven track record of achieving organizational goals and driving results.
• Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to motivate and inspire teams.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Assets:
  • Experience in non‑profit fundraising is a significant asset
  • Experience overseeing events and facilities
  • Experience in non‑profit board governance, including policy development
  • Education and/or advanced degree in a relevant field of study
  • Knowledge of food and agricultural systems and/or the environment, experience in mission‑driven food and agriculture or environmental work

If you don’t meet every qualification we’ve outlined, but this role excites and interests you, we would still love to hear from you. Ability to work legally in Canada is a requirement.

Position Details

This is a full‑time permanent staff position for 40 hours per week starting in October / November.

Location: Hybrid. This role will require both remote (from a home office) and in‑person work at our farm and centre near Creemore, ON. The Director of Operations will need to be available in‑person at least twice a week from May to October, and once per week November to April. This role will require some evening and weekend in‑person work for special events.

Compensation: $115,000 to $145,000 annual salary range, with compensation to be commensurate with experience. Excellent extended health and dental benefits, matching pension contributions in a defined benefit pension plan, and four weeks paid vacation plus a two week winter shutdown.

The New Farm Centre is working to create belonging, equity, and justice in our organization and work. We encourage applications from Indigenous peoples, visible minorities, women, LGBTQIA2S+ and persons with disabilities and strive to create an inclusive workplace. We value diverse perspectives and will consider relevant life experience alongside professional qualifications when reviewing applications.