Operations and Engagement Manager

Operations and Engagement Manager

Operations Events Communications Program Support

LOCATION: Minneapolis, MN
REPORTS TO: Executive Director
STATUS: Full-time, exempt
SALARY: $55,000–$60,000
SCHEDULE: Hybrid, primarily weekdays (in-person days at our Minneapolis office); occasional evening/weekend events

826 MSP and our eight sister chapters around the country were named in GOOD Magazine's 30 Places We Want to Work. We couldn't agree more.

Working at 826 MSP offers an unparalleled experience, combining a fulfilling mission with exceptional work-life balance. Our commitment to employee well-being supports a culture of creativity, care, and innovation.

826 MSP amplifies the voices, stories, and power of K-12 BIPOC students through writing, publishing, and leadership programs. Each year, we serve thousands of students across the Twin Cities and publish dozens of student books and publications — proof that when young people are given the tools, space, and support to write, they change how their communities see them, and how they see themselves.

Every program 826 MSP runs — every workshop, book launch, and after‑school session — depends on someone keeping the behind‑the‑scenes work running smoothly. That's this role.

826 MSP seeks a warm, organized, creative, and self‑driven Operations and Engagement Manager to help keep daily operations running smoothly, coordinate events, support communications, assist with youth programs and publications, and create a welcoming experience for students, families, volunteers, interns, donors, educators, and community partners. This person genuinely enjoys building systems and processes that others — staff, volunteers, and the board — can easily follow and use.

The work is a mix of steady, behind‑the‑scenes systems‑building and hands‑on time in the room with students and community — [team to confirm the approximate balance, e.g. roughly X% operational / Y% direct student and community engagement, so candidates know what to expect].

Operations and administration:
Maintain calendars, supplies, records, files, meeting notes, vendors, purchases, invoices, reimbursements, and shared workflows — the infrastructure that lets programs run without a hitch.

Events and community engagement:
Coordinate student readings, book launches, community gatherings, volunteer events, donor events, fundraisers, open houses, and partner events — the moments where students' work meets an audience.

Communications and storytelling:
Support newsletters, social media, website updates, flyers, donor communications, program announcements, and youth‑centered storytelling that carries students' voices beyond our walls.

Program support and student experience:
Prepare materials, schedules, sign‑in sheets, snacks, supplies, consent forms, attendance tracking, surveys, room setup, and partner communications so every student who walks in feels welcomed and ready to write.

Publications and special projects:
Support publication timelines, vendor communication, printing logistics, data entry, launch events, and documentation of program impact — helping turn student manuscripts into finished, printed books.

Interns, volunteers, and team support:
Coordinate intern recruitment logistics, onboarding, scheduling, hour tracking, project coordination, offboarding, and volunteer/team support that keeps our community of helpers engaged and effective.

• 2–4 years of relevant experience in operations, events, or program coordination
• Strong organization and follow‑through
• Enjoys building systems and processes that staff, volunteers, and the board can easily follow
• Clear writing and editing skills
• Comfort working with youth, families, volunteers, educators, donors, and partners
• Commitment to racial equity, youth voice, and creativity

Event planning; newsletters, social media, flyers, or website updates; building or documenting systems and processes rather than just executing one‑off tasks; intern, volunteer, student‑worker, or early‑career staff support; youth development, writing, publishing, education, arts, or nonprofit settings; work with…