Director of Operations

Organization: Mycelium Youth Network (MYN) prepares frontline youth for hopeful and imaginative leadership in climate adaptation, mitigation, and resilience through hands-on ancestral approaches and STEAM that emphasize stewardship and relationship-building. We believe youth need to be trained in both climate adaptation and mitigation as part of their math and science education in order to lead the way toward comprehensive solutions to climate change.

Job Summary:

The Organizational Culture and Operations Director is a new position at Mycelium. The position is critical to streamlining organizational systems, solidifying policies and procedures and will play a key role in stewarding organizational workplace culture to support a thriving, interconnected staff and team for a climate resilient future.

The Operations Director will be responsible for bringing in technical expertise of day-to-day operations with a passion for strengthening the organization's internal HR functions to more fully support our staff and reflect our values and political philosophies. They will manage internal processes, administrative systems, and organizational infrastructure, enabling the Executive Director and Leadership Team to identify and focus on strategic priorities. The Operations Director will act as an advisor to the Executive Director and a key resource for programmatic and administrative staff, fostering collaboration and sustainable growth within the organization.

Principal Responsibilities

Operational & Cultural Leadership (35%)

• Develop, implement, and refine organizational policies, procedures, and systems to ensure smooth day-to-day operations.
• Oversee administrative functions, including facilities, IT, vendor management, and program and office supplies and budget maintenance.
• Serve as a key advisor to the Executive Director, providing insights and recommendations on operational improvements and organizational challenges alongside maintaining and deepening a culture of trust, collaboration, and joy across all staff and team members.
• Creates a bi-annual performance review process to support self-reflection and peer-to-peer evaluation across all staff and team members
• Collaborates with the Leadership Team and all-staff to develop and implement an organizational decision-making framework
• Collaborates with the Leadership Team, Board of Directors, and all staff to develop and implement a three- to five-year operational plan that aligns with strategic goals.
• Co-creates processes and oversees retreat planning for all-staff, team members, and Board of Directors.

Human Resources Management (35%)

• Oversees human resources functions, including recruitment, onboarding, off boarding and exit interviews.
• Creates systems to ensure all appropriate organizational policies, procedures, and functions are accessible and transparent across staff and team members.
• Supports payroll and employee benefits, ensuring compliance with applicable labor laws and regulations in conjunction with the organization's attorney and finance team.
• Maintain and update employee handbooks, HR policies, and procedures.
• Works with the Leadership Team to create processes that ensure all staff and team members have access to the appropriate and relevant information and resources needed to grow into their respective roles and responsibilities.
• Works with the Leadership Team to build processes and systems for the development of new programs, staff/ team member positions, and creates pathways for staff to grow into organizational leadership positions.

Compliance and Risk Management (15%)

• Ensure organizational compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, including labor laws, tax requirements, and insurance policies.
• Maintain organizational records, including contracts, insurance policies, and compliance documentation.
• Collaborate with the Finance position and appropriate staff to monitor organizational risk and maintain proper internal controls.
• Support the Leadership Team in preparing for audits, evaluations, and external reporting requirements.

Systems and Administrative (10%)

• Works with the Leadership Team to identify and implement organizational systems and processes that support a transparent, collaborative, and engaging work environment in a hybrid setting.
• Co-creates processes to ensure document management is updated and used effectively across teams
• Support external organizational communication functions as needed

Qualifications

Operational Knowledge and Skills

• 5+ years of supervisory or management experience, preferably for a non-profit;
• Demonstrated success managing day-to-day operations for a small to medium-sized non-profit (annual budget $750,000–$1,500,000).
• Proven ability to build and maintain efficient systems and processes that foster organizational growth.
• Strong problem-solving skills with a proactive approach to identifying and addressing challenges.
• Experience advising senior leadership and contributing to strategic planning processes.
• Knowledge of compliance requirements for non-profits, including labor laws and insurance policies.

Human Resources and Project Management

• Experience managing HR functions, including payroll, employee benefits, and performance management.
• Understanding and experience with building diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices in a changing and growing organization.
• Project management experience, including planning, coordination, and execution of events or large-scale initiatives.

Technology Skills

• Experience with project management tools and HR systems.
• Familiarity with database management and digital collaboration platforms with a specific focus on Salesforce, Quickbooks and Google Workplace. Familiarity with systems such as Notion, Slack, and Asana are a bonus.

Personal Attributes and Superpowers

• Strong project management and projExcellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Loves systems and excited to operationalize Mycelium’s vision, mission, and goals so that we can move with coordinated action for impact.
• High level of organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritize and delegate effectively.
• A commitment to Mycelium Youth Network’s mission and values, including environmental justice and youth empowerment.
• Bonus if you have experience in horizontal groups that continually seek to find a balance between self-initiating work and consensus processes.