Operations Director

Application Due: Sunday, March 22, 2026

Compensation: $80,000–$90,000, dependent on experience, medical, vision, dental, FSA, 403(b), and 14 days paid holidays, including your birthday.

Position: Full Time, exempt, hybrid in Oakland, CA with 1day/week of in-person meetings

DESCRIPTION

Vital Arts is seeking an Operations Director responsible for strengthening Vital Arts’ internal systems, supervising staff, and ensuring sound financial and operational management across programs.

This role translates organizational vision into clear operational plans, aligns staffing and budgets with strategic priorities, and helps build the infrastructure needed for responsible growth.

The Operations Director partners closely with the Executive Director and staff to ensure operational rigor, financial sustainability, and a resilient, values-aligned workplace culture.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategy & Planning

• Support the implementation of the organizational strategic plan
• Align annual work plans with budget and staffing capacity
• Develop internal dashboards to track progress toward program and financial goals
• Identify operational and programmatic improvements
• Support scenario planning related to growth and resource allocation

Operations

• Oversee internal systems, workflows, and documentation
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures across programs and operations
• Ensure cross-program coordination and timeline accountability
• Improve organizational efficiency and clarity

Staff Leadership & Culture

• Supervise program and operations staff
• Support clear role definition and workload balance
• Foster a culture rooted in kindness, resilience, accountability, and equity
• Support team-building with collective and trauma-informed leadership

Financial Oversight

• Support the annual budgeting process in partnership with the Executive Director
• Monitor budget-to-actuals and support cash flow tracking
• Maintain grant tracking systems
• Maintain compliance documentation with contractors and artists

Grants & Governance

• Maintain grant tracking and reporting systems
• Ensure compliance documentation is up to date
• Support board reporting with clear operational and financial updates

QUALIFICATIONS

• 5–8 years of nonprofit operations or management experience
• Experience supervising staff
• Strong financial literacy and experience managing budgets
• Demonstrated ability to build or improve systems
• Experience supporting strategic planning implementation preferred
• Commitment to equity-centered, community-based work

COMPENSATION

This position is a full-time, exempt, hybrid role with a pay range of $80,000-$90,000, dependent on experience. Vital Arts’ comprehensive benefits package includes generous vacation and paid holidays; medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage; a flexible spending account (FSA); and a 403(b) retirement plan.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Please send a current résumé that reflects any relevant experience and skills, along with two professional references (contact information only, no reference letters required) and a short cover letter that explains what you will bring to the position to info@vitalarts.org with the subject line: “Operations Director Application - [Full Name].

This position is a full-time, exempt, hybrid role with a pay range of $80,000-$90,000, dependent on experience. Vital Arts’ comprehensive benefits package includes generous vacation and paid holidays; medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage; a flexible spending account (FSA); and a 403(b) retirement plan.

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