Director of Operations (Integrator)

Eddy; Minneapolis (MN); Hybrid; USD 105,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full benefits

Job summary

Spark-Y in Minneapolis is seeking a Director of Operations to serve as the Integrator, owning day-to-day execution across all functions. This role is the organization’s second in command, guiding budgeting, systems, and performance against the FY27 plan.

The position is in-person four days per week with some flexibility for the fifth day. The Director will lead operations, program delivery, finance, staffing, and processes, partnering with the Executive Director to enable growth while

Qualifications

• 5–15 years leading operations in complex environments.
• Experience budgeting including grant funding and compliance.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and ensure accountability.
• Nonprofit/education background is a plus.
• Familiarity with EOS or similar operating systems is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operations across all functions.
• Oversee program delivery, staffing, and deliverables tracking.
• Manage budget execution and grant spend modeling.
• Provide monthly reporting to Executive Director and Board.
• Build org structure and create clear accountability lines.
• Evaluate and scale AI workflows with proper guardrails.

Skills

Operations leadership

Budget management

Multi-workstream oversight

People leadership

Nonprofit/education experience

AI workflow adoption

Job description

Director of Operations (Integrator)Time: Full-TimeStatus: Exempt, Permanent or 2-3 Year TransitionalLocation: Minneapolis, MN - Hybrid (4 days/week in person)Application Deadline: November 12, 2026Reports To: Executive Director / CEOAbout Spark-YSpark-Y is a youth empowerment nonprofit that provides access and opportunity to youth through hands-on education, projects, and employment rooted in sustainability and entrepreneurship. Since 2013, over 13,000 youth have participated in our award-winning programs, sparking personal and professional development and collective care for the Earth we all share.Learn more at Spark-y.orgPosition DescriptionSpark-Y is seeking a Director of Operations to serve as the organization’s Integrator—the internal owner of day-to-day execution across every functional area. FY27 is a transformation year: the Board has approved a restructured FY27 budget, and this role will play a major part in year-one budgeting and execution.This is not a blank slate. The incoming Director will strengthen and operationalize a plan already in motion, not rebuild it from scratch. The role frees the Executive Director to focus on external growth: fundraising, marketing, messaging, and relationship-building that fulfill Spark-Y’s 2030 strategic plan.This is the organization’s number two role. In year two and beyond, strong performance here can open the door to broader downstream impact—shaping systems and structure well past year-one execution. Because the work is hands-on and team-facing, the Director of Operations is expected in person four days per week, with flexibility on the fifth.Key ResponsibilitiesGlobal Operations LeadershipLead, direct, and oversee day-to-day operations across every functional areaEnsure consistent execution against the strategic plan and the newly approved FY27 budgetProgram & Project DeliveryOwn program management end-to-end, including: staffing, deliverables tracking, outcome measurement, and ensuring contract/grant obligations are metEnsure high standards of client satisfactionBudget & Financial ExecutionExecute the FY27 operating budgetPartner with finance on grant spend modelingAllocate resources within operational constraintsDeliver decision-ready monthly reporting to the Executive Director and BoardStaff & Team ManagementPrimary manager for program, delivery, and operations staffBuild the org chart, coach direct reports, and create clear lines of accountabilityResourcing DecisionsDetermine staffing and budget needs for each projectMake routine operational calls the Executive Director shouldn’t have toSystems & ProcessBuild reporting cadence, project tracking, and financial visibilityEnable organizational scaling without proportional overhead growthOwn AI workflow evaluation, adoption, and scaling, establishing effective workflows as standard practice with clear guardrails for privacy, accuracy, and human oversightEOS Integrator FunctionRun 2-3 key operating meetings (e.g., Level 10 / leadership team)Hold the organization accountable to its scorecard and quarterly prioritiesFree the Executive Director / Visionary to focus on growth workWhat the Executive Director / CEO OwnsGrowth, expansion, marketing, fundraisingBoard and donor relationshipsOverall strategic execution of the growth plan (the EOS Visionary role)Essential Experience5–15 years leading operations (e.g., Chief of Staff, Operations Director, or operations/plants/manufacturing background)Experience running complex, multi-workstream operationsTrack record setting and managing a budget, including reimbursable grant funding with categorical spending rules and approval cyclesStrong people leader who can manage a team, hold people accountable, and build trust quickly with the Executive Director and BoardNonprofit, youth workforce, or education experience is a plus (corporate operators transitioning in are encouraged to apply)Own AI workflow evaluation, adoption, and scaling, establishing effective workflows as standard practice with clear guardrails for privacy, accuracy, and human oversightEOS familiarity preferredCompensation & BenefitsSalary Range: $105,000 – $145,000 FTE base (salary commensurate with experience) Full benefits available. Details shared during the interview process.Why This Role, Why NowSpark-Y is looking for the person who runs toward complexity. After twelve years building one of the Twin Cities’ most trusted youth workforce and environmental education organizations and just approving a bold new plan to grow toward a $10M future, Spark-Y needs a Director of Operations who can turn ambition into infrastructure.This is not a maintenance role. You will own the day-to-day engine of a $2M nonprofit navigating real growth: sharpening systems, building accountability, and freeing up leadership to chase the next big win. If you’ve wanted your fingerprints to end up on every part of an organization’s future, this is it.Equal Employment OpportunitySpark-Y is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive team regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender, gender identity or expression, or veteran status.We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.E04JI800clpr409dzm7