Director of Operations

Appalachian; Asheville (NC); Hybrid; USD 100.000 - 125.000; Vollzeit

Benefits dieser Stelle

Health insurance

Dental, vision, and life insurance

Retirement plan with employer match

Generous leave policy

Flex time

Zusammenfassung

Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy (SAHC) is seeking a Director of Operations to design and optimize cross-organizational systems, policies, and procedures. You will lead HR, compliance, office administration, and organizational effectiveness to ensure efficiency, transparency, and alignment with best practices.

The role is based in Asheville, NC, with travel within a 10-county area. Hybrid or remote flexibility is available, and a salary range of $100,000–$125,000 is offered depending

Qualifikationen

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in nonprofit management, business administration, finance, HR, or a related field.
• 7+ years of progressively responsible experience in nonprofit operations or administration.
• Strong knowledge of nonprofit financial management and HR best practices.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and communication skills.
• Desire to jump in and help with tasks that might seem afield from professional workplan.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and collaborate effectively across teams.
• Commitment to land conservation, community stewardship, and equity.

Aufgaben

• Develop a cohesive operational infrastructure that supports SAHC, staff, programs and goals.
• Write, implement, and periodically review organizational policies, procedures, and workflows.
• Administer day-to-day internal operations including office systems and IT collaboration.
• Coordinate cross-departmental operations for alignment among teams.
• Oversee IT/data management and modernization of systems and security.
• Foster collaborative, solutions-oriented operational change balancing innovation and needs.
• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, and performance management for staff and interns.
• Maintain HR policies, handbook, benefits, and personnel records; promote equity and wellness.
• Coordinate staff training, leadership development, and organization-wide meetings.
• Lead annual performance review processes and professional development planning.
• Assist with succession planning and workforce planning.
• Ensure compliance with nonprofit regulations, laws, and Land Trust Alliance Standards.
• Maintain records, filings, and risk management measures.
• Lead accreditation renewal with the Land Trust Accreditation Commission.
• Serve as staff liaison to Governance Committee and support board processes.
• Prepare operational reports for the Board and committees.

Kenntnisse

Analytical ability

Communication skills

Collaboration across teams

Leadership

Problem solving

Ausbildung

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in nonprofit management, business administration, finance, HR, or related field

Tools

QuickBooks

Salesforce

HRIS platforms

MS/Adobe

Jobbeschreibung

The Director of Operations (DO) is a new position at Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy (SAHC). The DO is responsible for human resources, compliance, office administration, and organizational effectiveness to ensure SAHC operates efficiently, transparently, and in alignment with Land Trust Alliance Standards & Practices. This role will design, implement, and continuously improve cross-organizational systems, policies, and procedures that support staff, strengthen accountability, and advance SAHC’s mission. The DO will also lend a hand with certain day-to-day functions and tasks that senior staff members perform, in order to spread and lighten workloads.

Working closely with the management team, the Director of Operations will guide the evolution of SAHC’s operational framework as the organization grows and changes. The ideal candidate is an experienced, collaborative leader with a strong background in nonprofit operations and a passion for building systems that help people and programs thrive.

Location:Based in Asheville, NC, with periodic travel throughout SAHC’s 10-county conservation area in Western North Carolina and East Tennessee

Job Category:Full-time, Exempt

Salary Range:$100,000–$125,000, depending on experience

Supervision:Reports to the Associate Director

Work Environment:Hybrid or remote flexibility in accordance with organizational policy; flexible scheduling available as needed

Key Responsibilities

Organizational Operations & Administration

• In coordination with Executive Director and Associate Director, develop a cohesive operational infrastructure that supports SAHC, staff, programs and organizational goals.
• Write, implement, and periodically review organizational policies, procedures, and workflows to improve effectiveness and accountability.
• Administer day-to-day internal operations, including office systems, vendor relationships, technology resources, and data security in collaboration with IT support.
• Coordinate cross-departmental operations to ensure alignment among conservation, stewardship, community engagement, and fundraising teams.
• Oversee IT and data management by implementing and modernizing hardware and software solutions that advance SAHC’s infrastructure, security, collaboration, and organizational efficiency, including cloud-based systems and workflow automation.
• Foster a collaborative, solutions-oriented approach to operational change that balances innovation with organizational needs.

Human Resources & Talent Management

• In coordination with Executive Director and Associate Director, oversee recruitment, hiring, onboarding, performance management, and offboarding for staff and interns.
• Maintain HR policies, employee handbook, benefits administration, and personnel records.
  Support a positive, mission-aligned workplace culture emphasizing equity, wellness, and professional growth.
• Coordinate staff training, leadership development, wellness initiatives, and organization-wide meetings and retreats.
• Lead annual performance review processes and professional development planning.
• Assist with employee progressive disciplinary procedures.
• Support succession planning for key roles and advise leadership on workforce planning.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with nonprofit regulations, employment laws, insurance requirements, and Land Trust Alliance Standards & Practices.
• Maintain organizational records, legal documentation, and required filings.
• Oversee risk management efforts, including safety protocols, liability reviews, and emergency preparedness.
• Lead accreditation renewal efforts with the Land Trust Accreditation Commission.

Board Governance & Committee Support

• Serve as staff liaison to the Governance Committee, supporting the Committee in implementing board recruitment, onboarding and training new board members, and the board self-evaluation process.
• Maintain SAHC board documents including: Board Manual, Board Agreement, Conflict-of-Interest Policy &
• Procedure, Self-evaluation, and other board-related documents.
• Prepare operational reports and materials for the Board of Directors and relevant committees.
• Support board and committee meeting logistics, recordkeeping, and annual retreats.
• Assist senior leadership with strategic planning and organizational capacity building.

Organizational Effectiveness & Special Projects

• Mentor and support managers across the organization by translating strategic vision into clear, actionable operational guidance.
• Provide coaching and development to managers on problem-solving, efficiency, people management, and leadership skills, strengthening organizational capacity and alignment.
• Lead or support internal initiatives that improve efficiency, equity, and mission impact.
• Oversee operational components of organization-wide systems such as Salesforce, volunteer management, or grant implementation, as needed.
• Strengthen internal communication and cross-team planning to enhance organizational performance.

Day-to-Day Organizational Functions and Tasks

• Coordinate with Executive Director and Associate Director to identify certain tasks and functions that senior staff members are now performing, which the DO can lend a hand with in order to spread and lighten workloads.

Qualifications

SAHC recognizes that strong candidates bring diverse professional and lived experiences. We encourage individuals who are passionate about our mission and believe they can succeed in this role to apply.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in nonprofit management, business administration, finance, HR, or a related field
• At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in nonprofit operations or administration
• Strong knowledge of nonprofit financial management and HR best practices
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and communication skills
• Desire to jump in and help with tasks that might seem afield from professional workplan
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and collaborate effectively across teams
• Commitment to land conservation, community stewardship, and equity

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with land trusts or environmental nonprofits
• Familiarity with Land Trust Alliance Standards & Practices
• Experience with QuickBooks, Salesforce, HRIS platforms, MS, Adobe, or similar systems
• Project management training or certification
• Familiarity incorporating AI-driven strategies for efficiency, automation, and data-driven decision-making
• Familiarity with continuous improvement initiatives

Personal Attributes

• Strategic, systems-oriented thinker and effective problem solver
• High emotional intelligence, sound judgment, and integrity
• Collaborative leadership style with the ability to make thoughtful, sometimes difficult decisions
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Detail-oriented, adaptable, and resilient in a dynamic environment
• Discretion in handling confidential information
• Sense of humor and commitment to continuous learning

Working Conditions

• Primarily office-based with occasional field visits, community events, and board meetings
• Ability to sit or stand at a desk, type, bend, and twist
• Ability to lift up to 20 lbs. and traverse uneven terrain during occasional site visits or events

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work performed by people in this position. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

• SAHC pays 100% of the employee premium for basic medical insurance and a portion of dependent coverage. Health savings account with employer match
• Dental, vision, and life insurance
• Retirement plan with employer match
• Generous leave policy and needs-accommodations including flex time

About Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy

Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy (SAHC) is a nonprofit land trust serving a 10-county region in the mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee. Since 1974, we have conserved over 100,000 acres of the region’s most important lands, including places that offer opportunities to all people to enjoy outdoor recreation, protect scenic beauty, protect rivers and streams that serve the region’s water needs, connect places for wildlife and plants to ensure resilient landscapes in the mountains, and preserve working farmland that supply local foods.

Equal Opportunity Employer

SAHC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of any characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. We recognize historic inequities in the conservation field, including in access to and ownership of land, and we are committed to building an organization where people of widely diverse backgrounds, experiences, and identities can lead and contribute. However you identify, and whatever your background, if this position excites you, we encourage you to apply.