Director of Operations

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

Benefits offered by this job

Extended health

Dental benefits

Pension plan

4 weeks vacation

Winter shutdown

Job summary

The New Farm Centre For Climate Action is seeking a Director of Operations to lead financial strategy, HR, governance, and operations for a regenerative farming nonprofit near Creemore, Ontario. The role combines home-office flexibility with on-site presence, including in-person work at least twice weekly May–October and weekly November–April.

Reporting to the Executive Director, you will manage a $3.6 million annual budget, lead a culture of belonging for ten permanent and eight seasonal staff,

Qualifications

• 7-10 years of progressively responsible experience in a finance and HR leadership role within a nonprofit or mission-driven organization.
• Demonstrated knowledge of financial management, governance, risk, and regulatory compliance in the charitable sector.
• Experience building cultures of belonging and leading cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead budgeting and financial management for a multi-million dollar operating budget.
• Develop strategy and target-setting for revenue-generating activities (events and farm sales).
• Provide financial analysis related to fundraising and revenue programs.
• Oversee annual tax audit and regulatory compliance.
• Ensure appropriate insurance and administrative support.
• Oversee recruitment, performance reviews, and employee engagement initiatives.

Skills

Finance

HR leadership

Administration

Board governance

Fundraising

Risk management

Leadership

Job description

Position: Director of Operations

Areas of work: Finance, HR, Administration, Board Governance, Fundraising, Risk Management, Leadership

Organization: The New Farm Centre For Climate Action

Location: This role will require both remote (from a home office) and in-person work at our farm 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.

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
  • 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.
• 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.

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

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.