Operations Director

The Operations Director ensures FWDC’s financial, administrative, communications and operational stability.

Primary Focus: Collaborate with the Board President, Executive Committee, staff, FWDC artists, community partners and stakeholders to oversee Governance, Administration, Finance, Human Resources, Communications, Institutional Branding, Marketing Oversight and Risk Management.

Summary of Responsibilities

  • Provide operational leadership and oversight of finance, compliance, human resources, administrative systems, internal communications, and risk management
  • Oversee marketing implementation and institutional branding, including supervision of the Arts Administrative Assistant and coordination with the Marketing Committee
  • Maintain organizational calendars, operational procedures, and grant compliance tracking (grant writing managed by contracted resources)

Leadership & Governance

  • Participate in organizational strategic planning with Board, Executive Committee, staff and partners
  • Support Board President and Executive Committee with reports and board relations
  • Ensure compliance with bylaws, policies and legal requirements
  • Recommend updates to operational policies and procedures
  • Maintain positive, safe, compliant work systems
  • Maintain Operations & Communications Calendar (operations, compliance, board reports, marketing cycles)
  • Coordinate internal communications across departments 

Finance & Administration

  • Develop budgets, projections, and financial reports in collaboration with the Finance Committee
  • Oversee bookkeeping, accounting and payroll processes
  • Monitor accounts payable/receivable, expenditures and cash flow
  • Manage vendor, purchasing and financial documentation systems
  • Maintain grant administration tracking (reporting deadlines, data and compliance) 

Communications & Marketing Oversight

  • Provide oversight of communications and marketing operations
  • Supervise the Arts Administrative Assistant for marketing-related duties
  • Coordinate with the Artistic Director on artistic approvals (images, assets, artistic messaging) while retaining authority over branding and execution
  • Maintain institutional branding guidelines, templates, language standards and visual identity
  • Ensure marketing supports programs, performances, fundraising and organizational priorities
  • Review marketing analytics and prepare summary updates for staff and Board
  • Maintain communications and marketing calendars 

Human Resources & Administration

  • Support hiring, onboarding, performance evaluation and HR documentation
  • Maintain personnel files and compliance with employment law
  • Oversee HR policies, job descriptions, salary ranges and grievance processes
  • Coordinate employee evaluations with the Executive Committee
  • Ensure staff training and workplace resources 

Risk Management & Legal Compliance

  • Identify and mitigate financial, legal, operational and reputational risks
  • Ensure appropriate insurance coverage
  • Maintain crisis and emergency protocols
  • Ensure compliance with nonprofit regulations and reporting requirements

Skills & Qualifications

  • Demonstrated experience in nonprofit operations, administration or organizational management
  • Knowledge of nonprofit finance including budgeting, cash flow and financial reporting
  • Familiarity with grant compliance, reporting cycles and documentation requirements
  • Experience supervising staff, interns or contractors
  • Strong organizational and administrative systems skills
  • Ability to coordinate across multiple departments and priorities
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Demonstrated ability to develop and improve operational processes
  • Working knowledge of HR policies, payroll workflows, and employment documentation
  • Ability to learn or oversee website, communications and branding tools
  • Proficiency with Google Workspace and/or Microsoft Office required
  • Ability to handle confidential information with discretion
  • Problem-solving mindset with ability to work both independently and collaboratively
  • Commitment to FWDC’s mission, values and community impact

Reporting Structure

  • Reports day-to-day to the Board President
  • Reports formally to the Executive Committee
  • Supervises the Office Coordinator and Arts Administrative Assistant (with dotted line to Artistic Director during production periods)