Director of Operations; Integrator

Director of Operations (Integrator)
Time:
Full-Time Status:
Exempt, Permanent or 2-3 Year Transitional

Location:

Minneapolis, MN - Hybrid (4 days/week in person)
Final date to receive applications:
November 12, 2026

Reports To:

Executive Director / CEOAbout Spark-YSpark-Y is a youth empowerment nonprofit that provides access and opportunity to youth through hands-on education, projects, and employment rooted in sustainability and entrepreneurship. Since 2013, over 13,000 youth have participated in our award-winning programs, sparking personal and professional development and collective care for the Earth we all share.

Learn more at Spark-y.org Position Description Spark-Y is seeking a Director of Operations to serve as the organization’s Integrator—the internal owner of day-to-day execution across every functional area. FY27 is a transformation year: the Board has approved a restructured FY27 budget, and this role will play a major part in year-one budgeting and execution.

This is not a blank slate. The incoming Director will strengthen and operationalize a plan already in motion, not rebuild it from scratch. The role frees the Executive Director to focus on external growth: fundraising, marketing, messaging, and relationship-building that fulfill Spark-Y’s 2030 strategic plan.

This is the organization’s number two role. In year two and beyond, strong performance here can open the door to broader downstream impact—shaping systems and structure well past year-one execution. Because the work is hands-on and team-facing, the Director of Operations is expected in person four days per week, with flexibility on the fifth.

Key Responsibilities Global Operations Leadership Lead, direct, and oversee day-to-day operations across every functional area Ensure consistent execution against the strategic plan and the newly approved FY27 budget

Program & Project Delivery Own program management end-to-end, including: staffing, deliverables tracking, outcome measurement, and ensuring contract/grant obligations are met Ensure high standards of client satisfaction

Budget & Financial Execution Execute the FY27 operating budget

Partner with finance on grant spend modeling

Allocate resources within operational constraints

Deliver decision-ready monthly reporting to the Executive Director and Board Staff & Team Management Primary manager for program, delivery, and operations staff

Build the org chart, coach direct reports, and create clear lines of accountability

Resourcing Decisions Determine staffing and budget needs for each project

Make routine operational calls the Executive Director shouldn’t have to Systems & Process Build reporting cadence, project tracking, and financial visibility

Enable organizational scaling without proportional overhead growth

Own AI workflow evaluation, adoption, and scaling, establishing effective workflows as standard practice with clear guardrails for privacy, accuracy, and human oversightEOS Integrator Function Run 2-3 key operating meetings (e.g., Level 10 / leadership team)
Hold the organization accountable to its scorecard and quarterly priorities

Free the Executive Director / Visionary to focus on growth work

What the Executive Director / CEO Owns Growth, expansion, marketing, fundraising

Board and donor relationships

Overall strategic execution of the growth plan (the EOS Visionary role)
Essential Experience5–15 years leading operations (e.g., Chief of Staff, Operations Director, or operations/plants/manufacturing background)
Experience running complex, multi-workstream operations

Track record setting and managing a budget, including reimbursable grant funding with categorical spending rules and approval cycles

Strong people leader who can manage a team, hold people accountable, and build…