Operations Manager

Position Description - Operations Manager

Strawtown Studio seeks a skilled and experienced individual to be the Operations Manager for its education nonprofit. This role is primarily responsible for supporting day-to-day operations across the organization, including administration, fundraising, communications, and programming. This position features plenty of self-directed work as well as project-based teamwork. The ideal candidate is highly organized, innovative, and detail-oriented with the ability to understand what is happening at all levels of the organization. They are a systems thinker and a collaborator, and they will want to grow with the organization long-term.

The Operations Manager position at Strawtown Studio is in the center of an artful community that is dedicated to experiential learning, relationship-building, and making a difference. This role is supported with a personable and team-oriented work culture.

This is a full-time, hybrid position that includes three days per week in-person time at the office/studio space and at various program locations. See below for details on responsibilities, hours, and qualifications.

About Strawtown Studio

Strawtown Studio is an award-winning arts-based environmental education organization. Strawtown’s mission is dedicated to connecting children and communities with the natural world through arts and nature discovery programming. As a team of artists, naturalists and educators, we also seek to model and inspire environmental stewardship. This work atmosphere is rich in the areas of: place-based education in the lower Hudson Valley region, community building, and water advocacy. Strawtown Studio is a small organization on a growth trajectory. Current staff includes a full-time Executive Director, a full-time Program Director, and 5 part-time teaching artists. For more information on Strawtown Studio’s work, please visit our website, and Facebook and Instagram profiles.

Operations Manager Responsibilities

Administration:

• Manage financial administration, including accounts payable/receivable, providing records for bookkeeper and accountant, tracking employee timesheets and PTO, and maintaining internal controls.
• Maintain organizational records and files, including overall digital infrastructure, software, online account registrations and subscriptions.
• Support communications administration, including email newsletters, website updates, and client and donor outreach.
• Provide project management support in the online platform Asana.
• Maintain company policies and ensure compliance.
• Manage insurance coverages.
• Support preparation and documentation of board meetings.
• Support general office organization and supplies procurement.
• Pick up and process mail from PO box.

Fundraising Support:

• Fundraising administration, including managing the CRM database (Bloomerang), entering gifts, sending donor acknowledgements, managing integrations, running reports, coordinating mailings, etc.
• Grants administration, including reviewing funding opportunities, assisting with assembling proposals, managing deadlines, and assisting with grant reporting requirements.

Programming & Events:

• Provide administrative and logistical support for all programs, events, and fundraising initiatives including: planning, communications, program registration, online forms, managing event sponsors, day-of event logistics, tech support for online events, and program follow up.
• Provide support for online marketing, social media, and website platforms as needed.

Desired Qualifications:

• 5+ Years experience in administration, such as non-profit, financial management, and/or business operations.
• Experience in prioritizing and executing multiple tasks, with excellent attention to detail.
• Project management experience and strong time management skills.
• Proficiency with data entry and record-keeping.
• Proficiency with CRM databases (such as Bloomerang).
• Excellent computer skills. Experience with MacOS, Microsoft Office, Google
• Workspace, WordPress websites, and/or Mailchimp is a plus.
• Ability to identify opportunities and make recommendations for improving internal systems and processes.
• A valid driver’s license, for travel to work-related events and programs.

Recommended Characteristics:

• Excellent organizational skills, consistency, and attention to detail.
• Adept at multi-tasking, and managing multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and listening skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and ability to think creatively and develop efficient working systems.
• High aptitude for learning new programs.
• Ability to foster trust, and accept responsibility and accountability for results.
• Inclusive and interested in helping others through fostering a work environment of mutual respect, team building, and collaboration.
• People skills and professionalism. While this position will be working on internal operations, the role also includes external-facing work with outside clients, partners, donors, sponsors, etc.

We encourage anyone with an interest in the position to apply, even if they do not meet 100% of the desired qualifications. While past work experience with nonprofit operations is helpful, a motivated candidate with the right personal characteristics and other relevant experience will be able to learn on the job.

Hours and Schedule:

• This is a Full-Time, Salaried, Exempt position at 40 hours per week.
• Weekly schedules are flexible, provided all positional needs are met. We
• anticipate three days/week in-person with the option to work remotely.
• This position will include occasional local / regional travel, and occasional
• evening or weekend work, especially to provide support for events and programs.

Reports to: Executive Dir. and Program Dir.

Compensation & Benefits:

• $65,000 - $75,000 Annual Salary, commensurate with experience
• Benefits: inclusion in health, dental, vision, and life insurance plans, and disability coverage; Paid time off for holidays, vacation and sick days, as well as paid family leave and other benefits, available after 90-day trial period.
• Professional development is encouraged and opportunities are made available.

How to Apply:

• Send a cover letter and resume to: info@strawtownstudio.org with “Operations Manager” in the subject line.
• Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled.
• The target start date is Dec. 1, 2024.
• Contact information for three professional references and a writing sample will be requested after the first round of interviews.

Please familiarize yourself with our website before applying: http://strawtownstudio.org

Thank you.

Strawtown Studio is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values diversity in thought, background and experience and insists on equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees. All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, disability, marital status, family responsibilities, or any other basis protected by applicable laws, regulations, or guidelines relating to discrimination in employment.

NOTE: This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the job and the general nature and level of work performed by incumbents within this job. This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of qualifications, skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities or working conditions associated with the position.

Desired Qualifications:

• 5+ Years experience in administration, such as non-profit, financial management, and/or business operations.
• Experience in prioritizing and executing multiple tasks, with excellent attention to detail.
• Project management experience and strong time management skills.
• Proficiency with data entry and record-keeping.
• Proficiency with CRM databases (such as Bloomerang).
• Excellent computer skills. Experience with MacOS, Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, WordPress websites, and/or Mailchimp is a plus.
• Ability to identify opportunities and make recommendations for improving internal systems and processes.
• A valid driver’s license, for travel to work-related events and programs.

Recommended Characteristics:

• Excellent organizational skills, consistency, and attention to detail.
• Adept at multi-tasking, and managing multiple priorities and deadlines
• Excellent verbal and written communication and listening skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and ability to think creatively and develop efficient working systems
• High aptitude for learning new programs
• Ability to foster trust, and accept responsibility and accountability for results
• Inclusive and interested in helping others through fostering a work environment of mutual respect, team building, and collaboration.
• People skills and professionalism. While this position will be working on internal operations, the role also includes external-facing work with outside clients, partners, donors, sponsors, etc.