Business Operations Director

ABOUT THE GROWHAUS

The mission of The GrowHaus is to cultivate community-driven food justice through education and food access. We offer food access programming, educational opportunities related to growing and cooking food, and overall wellness. We strive to be a community-driven organization, with all programs led and implemented by members of our community or others from similar neighborhoods.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The GrowHaus seeks a talented Business Operations Director to play a key role in shaping our next chapter. Upon receiving several large grants, The GrowHaus is embarking on its next growth phase. We are in the midst of defining our next big project, which may involve real estate and facilities management and/or establishing a new product. We seek an experienced business leader with an entrepreneurial mindset to meet our growing needs, oversee our operations and finances, and help us build capacity to enhance our programming and impact. This is a unique opportunity for an experienced nonprofit or small business professional to join a dedicated team of food justice experts and contribute to the next big chapter of The GrowHaus. The Business Operations Director will be tasked with managing the day-to-day operations at The GrowHaus. This work will include, but is not limited to, financial oversight and budget tracking, facilities management, human resources support, implementing internal systems for efficiency and accountability, supporting IT and general administrative functions, managing organizational insurance and risk protocols, and contributing to strategic planning and decision-making processes. In collaboration with the Executive Director and Board of Directors, the Business Operations Director will ensure our internal systems are secure, efficient, and sustainable by driving our work around risk mitigation, financial planning, and legal compliance. The ideal candidate is an experienced nonprofit or small business leader who is driven, strategic, and proactive in their approach to overseeing operations, managing teams, and overseeing sound financial planning practices. The Business Operations Director should be an experienced people manager who values personal and professional growth and can hit the ground running and learn on the fly while simultaneously applying learned practices and a forward-thinking mindset to enhance the internal structure of The GrowHaus. The ideal candidate should have a well-rounded background in nonprofit or small business operations, with the ability to support the Executive Director in managing all GrowHaus stakeholders and representing the organization to all external partners. This person must be bilingual (English/Spanish) and will be successful if they are highly organized, proactive, flexible, collaborative, grounded, optimistic, and a diplomatic leader with high emotional intelligence. We are seeking a hands-on individual who leads by example and collaborative inclusion. Interpersonal skills, empathetic leadership, and commitment to stewarding a richly diverse culture are essential qualities for this position.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Operations (60%)

Ensure operations at all levels of the organization function efficiently and effectively, and manage our facilities and new projects. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Leading efforts to mitigate risk, manage compliance efforts, and maintain a strategic viewpoint on all regulations, codes, zoning, licenses, and other relevant requirements
• Oversight of and primary point of contact for all general infrastructure operations, including leases, maintenance, permits, and required reporting and filings
• Oversight of contract and vendor management and management of all invoicing
• Oversight of and primary point of contact for all construction and facilities management
• Leading security and safety protocols for all emergency procedures
• Providing supplemental support for internal IT needs and ensuring staff is adequately trained on all technologies utilized within the organization
• Oversight and day-to-day management of all front office operations, including the warehouse and administrative issues related to tech, supplies, equipment, and vehicle maintenance

Human Resources and Personnel Management (25%)

Support the GrowHaus staff and staffing needs as a steward of the organization’s mission, goals, and culture to ensure compliance, stay current on changing regulations, and manage associated financial planning requirements. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Monitoring of local, state, and federal regulations to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations and apply changes and updates when necessary
• Ensuring fair, equitable, and transparent employment and compensation practices are in place
• Development, refinement, and upkeep of all HR policies, processes, and manuals, including the employee handbook; standardized processes in staff hiring, training, onboarding, and offboarding systems; the performance management system, including proper performance evaluations and documentation; and the staff professional development system and relevant training programs
• Management and oversight of all employee benefits
• Support of The GrowHaus’s strategic plan by developing and managing systems to monitor progress, define and address gap areas, assess and monitor teamwork plans, measure goals, and manage quarterly check-ins within each department
• Ensuring successful internal communications across the organization
• Planning of staff meetings and appreciation events

Financial Oversight (15%)

Oversee and support internal financial operations and systems to ensure the financial integrity and viability of The GrowHaus. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Maintaining general knowledge of nonprofit accounting principles and reporting requirements
• Serving as the main liaison with external bookkeepers, accountants, and finance contractors
• Leading the annual audit process
• Supporting the annual budgeting process
• Collaborating with external contractors on any necessary reports or forecasts, as requested by the Executive Director or Board of Directors
• Supporting the grant tracking process for each department
• Management of payroll processing and time cards
• Oversight of the annual state charitable compliance process

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

The ideal candidate is committed to advancing The GrowHaus’s mission and strategic goals. In addition, you should have:

• A collaborative leadership style that encompasses learned practices and applied successes with new opportunities to grow and develop as an executive
• A forward-thinking approach to establishing and managing systems and best practices
• A firm, consistent, hands-on approach and attention to detail
• An organized work style, with the ability to follow through on work assignments independently
• A collaborative and inclusive approach to problem-solving
• Strong interpersonal skills, including an ability to navigate and resolve conflict in a manner that values and respects relationships
• The ability to manage various tasks, requests, and inquiries in an efficient and timely manner
• The ability to adhere to internal policies and exercise sound judgment in maintaining confidentiality of all organizational information
• A commitment to anti-racism and all forms of equity, both internally in our organization

and externally in the communities that we serve

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Fluent bilingual communicator (English/Spanish), both written and oral
• 5+ years of professional experience in business administration, finance, or accounting in the nonprofit sector or in a small business setting
• 5+ years in a leadership role or independently leading a business function
• General understanding of nonprofit accounting principles
• Experience leading and coordinating annual audits, documentation, and preparation
• Experience with grant management
• Demonstrated experience in personnel management and human resources
• Experience managing and directly contributing to the success of complex, multi-department operations
• Comfort and experience with Google Workplace administration for a mid-size organization, along with the ability to learn or onboard other technologies that contribute to the functioning of a multi-faceted nonprofit organization