Operations Director Job Description

Frozen River Film Festival; Winona (MN); On-site; USD 34,200 - 41,800; Part time

Job summary

Frozen River Film Festival in Winona, MN, is seeking an Operations Director to manage the annual winter festival and educational programs. This role encompasses event planning, financial reporting, and community engagement.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong skills in event management, finance, and grant writing. The position offers a contracted compensation of $38,000 annually, with a workload of 30–35 hours per week.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in event management and organization.
• Strong financial reporting skills and knowledge.
• Experience with grant writing and fundraising.

Responsibilities

• Prepare monthly Operations Director reports for board meetings.
• Oversee planning and implementation of the winter festival.
• Maintain monthly financial records and reporting.

Skills

Event Management

Financial Reporting

Grant Writing

Social Media Management

Board Governance

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Google Suite

Social Media Platforms

Finance Software

Job description

Operations Director

Frozen River Film Festival (FRFF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization presenting an annual winter documentary film festival and offering year‑round opportunities for people of all ages to connect through film and filmmaking.

Celebrating its 21st anniversary, FRFF aims to present film experiences that inspire curiosity, connection, and community. The organization is looking for an Operations Director to help develop the festival, educational programming, and community building, and contribute to the thriving film and arts culture in Winona, MN.

About Winona, MN

Winona is a micropolitan community on the banks of the Mississippi River, situated on Mni Sota Makoce, the ancestral lands of the Dakota people. It is a hub of cultural festivals and experiences, highlighting the community’s love of film, art, music, dance, and theater. Home to Winona State University and St. Mary’s University, this college town enjoys access to nature and outdoor recreation year‑round.

Location & Modality

• In person with some exceptions

Application

To apply, send a cover letter and resume to [e-mail]. Application review begins after April 1 2026. The position will remain posted until filled.

Compensation

This is a 1099 contracted position with an annual compensation of $38,000, paid every two weeks or monthly/quarterly per negotiation. The expected workload is 30–35 hours per week with heavier weeks leading up to and during the annual winter festival (January). Additional night and weekend work for film screenings and events may be required.

Overview

The Operations Director (OD) is one of two contracted staff members at FRFF and handles responsibilities in several areas: Board Governance, Organizational Mission & Strategy, Event Implementation, Financial Reporting, Marketing & Social Media, Grant Writing, Community & Public Relations, and Personnel Management. The OD is the primary stakeholder in delivering the annual Frozen River Film Festival and oversees volunteers and contractors, works with the Board to ensure alignment with mission, and collaborates with a grant writer to meet budgetary goals.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Prepare a monthly Operations Director report for board meetings
• Prepare a monthly board meeting agenda template
• Work with committee chairs to schedule monthly committee and board meetings, including setting up Zoom links
• Serve as point person for FRFF Google account, including email address setup
• Assist in updating the FRFF website
• Attend committee meetings (executive, finance/development, etc.) each month
• Organize and oversee the planning, development, and implementation of:
  • The annual winter festival in Winona, MN
  • Off‑season screenings (typically 4 per year)
  • Educational camps for children (typically 2–3 weeks each summer)
• For the winter festival:
  • Hire or design posters and programs
  • Develop the block schedule of film sets, days, and times with the Programmer and Screening Committee Coordinator
  • Recruit and train volunteers for shifts
  • Create and train volunteers, staff, and board members on cue cards for film set announcements
  • Coordinate setup and teardown of equipment (screens, projectors, speakers, audio systems, tables, box office, merchandise, etc.)
• Organize and oversee planning and implementation of off‑season screenings, including setting up tables, chairs, merchandise, screens, projectors, and box office
• Assist the Board in scheduling and planning the annual Board Retreat (typically August) and provide needed materials
• Implement mission, vision, and strategy statements in public‑facing materials
• Assist in developing boilerplate documents for grant opportunities, including needs, outcomes, and organization capacity statements
• Work with the Marketing & Finance Director to align grant opportunities with events throughout the year
• Prepare a monthly Finance Director report for board meetings
• Prepare monthly finance reporting documents (cash flow, dashboard, etc.)
• Maintain monthly balance sheet for all accounts and create quarterly financial projections
• Attend finance/development committee meetings and full board meetings each month
• Pay all FRFF bills monthly and manage payroll for contractors and employees
• Prepare annual Form 990 for accounting firm and pay required local, state, or federal taxes
• Organize and oversee social media campaigns to support film screenings:
  • Direct work of marketing associates and/or interns in posting to social media
  • Develop a posting schedule to ensure continuous engagement
  • Develop strategies to grow social media channels
  • Organize installation of posters and delivery of programs in December/January ahead of the winter festival
• Organize and oversee the planning, writing, and submission of all grant opportunities throughout the year:
  • Adhere to grant guidelines for each submission
  • Develop narratives with multiple revisions as needed
  • Follow grant schedule to ensure timely submissions with board and grant writer feedback
  • Coordinate feedback from grant writer contractor (Marcie)
  • Plan alignment of potential grant funds with programming throughout the year
• Other duties as assigned