Operations Manager, Optimization

NWF; United States; Remote; USD 72,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Flexible scheduling

Health, dental, vision insurance

Job summary

National Wildlife Federation is seeking an Operations Manager to optimize program operations, map processes, and analyze data for leadership decisions. This remote role partners with Finance, Philanthropy, Legal, HR, and Accounts Payable to drive operational excellence.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in nonprofit operations/finance, strong PM skills, and expertise in Excel/Smartsheet/Airtable. Travel 1–2 times per year; flexible, mission‑driven environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent years of experience in a relevant field.
• 5+ years in financial management, operations, or administration, preferably nonprofit.
• 2+ years of experience influencing others to achieve goals.
• Strong ability to analyze datasets and present findings to leaders.
• Proficiency with MS Office; experience with Smartsheet/Airtable.

Responsibilities

• Develop operational performance metrics with program teams.
• Visualize data to identify budget risks or opportunities and inform decisions.
• Map processes and drive improvements; manage required implementations.
• Create and maintain standard operating procedures and onboarding docs.
• Lead cross‑functional teams to resolve urgent operational issues and provide surge support.

Skills

Data analysis

Project management

Communication

Influence & teamwork

Excel / Office / Airtable

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Tools

Smartsheet

Airtable

Excel

Job description

Founded in 1936, the National Wildlife Federation has grown into America’s largest and most trusted grassroots conservation organization with 52 state and territorial affiliates and more than seven million members and supporters, including hunters, anglers, gardeners, birders, hikers, campers, paddlers, and outdoor enthusiasts of all ages and stripes. The mission of the National Wildlife Federation is to unite all Americans to ensure wildlife thrive in our rapidly changing world. We advance this mission through programming focused on conserving wildlife, restoring habitats and waterways, expanding outdoor opportunities, connecting children with nature, advancing environmental justice, and addressing the causes and consequences of climate change.

The Operations Manager position is part of NWF’s Program Operations team and focuses on business optimization. The Operations Manager will work with stakeholders across the organization to help NWF achieve operational excellence. On any given day, that might consist of writing a guidance document, mapping a process, analyzing data to understand impact or pain points, and strategizing to help leadership make decisions.

The ideal candidate will be curious about how things work, passionate about making things better, and practiced at bringing people together and moving them to action. This position calls for someone who is fearless in carving their own path when the project is ambiguous and who will know how to create clarity for others.

This position is matrixed, reporting directly to the Senior Director of Program Operations and working collaboratively to support program leaders. This position will also work closely with other support departments of the organization including (but not limited to) Finance, Philanthropy, Legal, Human Resources, and Accounts Payable.

Key Responsibilities

Data and Evaluation

• Work with program and advocacy teams to develop operational performance metrics
• Help program and advocacy teams visualize data to identify where budgets face risks or opportunities with resources
• Analyze data and provide insights to help leaders make strategic operational decisions
• Report on program operational health and performance to leadership
• Administer current Airtable bases, ensure good data hygiene, and act as training resource on bases

Process and System Improvement

• Collaborate with various teams to map processes and pinch points
• Work collaboratively to suggest process improvements and project-manage implementation as required

Best Practices & Training

• Document best practices and create process documentation and standard operating procedures
• Develop onboarding documentation for Program Operations - standardized templates and workflows
• Train program operations leaders on new processes and systems as needed
• Train new Program Ops staff in tandem with their managers

General Program Operational Support

• Lead teams to solve complex and/or urgent operational issues
• Provide surge support when program operations teams need assistance with budget and grant management

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent years of experience in a relevant field (e.g., business administration, finance, )
• 5+ years of relevant experience in financial management, operations, or administration capacity, preferably in a nonprofit setting. Federal grant management is a plus.
• 2+ years of experience influencing others (either with direct or indirect authority) to achieve a shared goal
• Comfort with adapting to changing priorities and learning new processes and software
• Demonstrated strong project management skills while collaborating across multidisciplinary teams, preferably in operations
• Ability to analyze datasets, synthesize data, and present findings to leaders
• Communicate clearly and distill complex technical concepts into layperson language
• Experience with soliciting information from teams while minimizing burden
• Reputation as a changemaker with a positive, solutions-oriented attitude
• Demonstrate skill in collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to support project outcomes
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office products including MS Word, PowerPoint, and Exhibit advanced skills in Excel functions such as writing formulas and data manipulation. Ability and experience working with Smartsheet, Airtable, or other project management tools

NWF Values

Your actions are expected to reflect the staff values of the National Wildlife Federation: collaboration, mindfulness, empowerment, inclusivity, and mission focus. Your competencies should include:

• Being motivated by values of equity and responsibility to those most marginalized
• Consistently bringing a high level of empathy and social skills to work and interpersonal interactions
• Being committed to deepening an environmental justice approach in policy priorities, program development and partner engagement
• Actively seeks feedback, direction, and guidance from all team members and keeps staff informed of decisions that impact them
• Being dedicated to advancing NWF’s internal equity transformation and compelling partners and allies to incorporate equity into their work
• Passion for and commitment to NWF’s mission

Travel Requirements

Approximately 1-2 times per year; 2-4 nights per trip.

Location and Work Mode

The National Wildlife Federation is committed to a flexible and empowered work environment with an authentic community of care for all staff. This position will work remotely, although some travel throughout the year is expected.

Physical Requirements:

Cognitive & Intellectual Requirements

• Ability to understand, analyze, and apply complex information, policies, and concepts
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, problem-solve, and make decisions in situations involving ambiguity or competing priorities
• Ability to maintain focus and sustained attentionand manage multiple tasks or work-streams
• Ability to listen, interpret, and respond appropriatelyin discussions with colleagues, leadership, and external stakeholders
• Physical Requirements
• Ability to remain in a stationary positionfor extended periods of time while working at a computer or attending meetings
• Ability to operate standard office equipment, including computers, keyboards, monitors, telephones, and video conferencing tools
• Ability to communicate and exchange informationin person, via telephone, and through electronic or virtual platforms
• Ability to read, review, and produce written and electronic documents, including prolonged use of computer screens
• Ability to move within an office or remote work environmentto access files, meetings, or equipment as needed

Work Environment

• Work is performed primarily in an office or remote environment
• Role may involve extended screen timeand participation in virtual meetings

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $72,000 - $80,000, commensurate with experience.

We are proud of our designation by Mogul as a Top 100 Workplace with the Best Benefits, and by Forbes as one of America’s best small employers! We value work-life balance and a family-friendly atmosphere with flexible scheduling. We want you to be able to integrate work and personal life with attention to your self-care, so that your work schedule is not depleting. We offer benefits so you feel restored and fueled through the day and week.

We offer these supports to help manage your mental, emotional, and physical health:

• Paid time off: Vacation that starts off at three weeks accrual based on a full-time schedule, unlimited wellbeing (this time can be used for physical, spiritual, emotional, cultural, religious or financial wellbeing for yourself, a partner, or family member – including pets), and 11 holidays
• We close down for a paid winter break between December 25 to January 1 to recognize end of-year stress, and time for reflection, rejuvenation, and spending time with family.
• Up to 16 weeks of fully paid Family and Medical Leave
• Low-cost health, dental, and vision insurance options – all outpatient mental health is covered at in-network rates
• Therapist available at no cost
• Pet insurance and discount perk program
• Annual wellbeing allowance

In addition to your salary, we offer the following supports to your personal finances:

• Retirement plan with immediate match and vesting
• Annual year end retirement contribution
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Adoption and Surrogacy assistance
• Pet adoption stipend
• Student Loan management

To be eligible for this role you must be a U.S. citizen or have valid work authorization to work in the U.S.

If selected for this position, a background check will be conducted.