Operations Manager

Are you an organizational wizard who is equally excellent at managing people and creating the ecosystem in which they will thrive? Humble Design San Diego is seeking an Operations Manager to lead the inside-the-house work that makes possible our mission to furnish homes – and transform lives – for individuals and families emerging from homelessness.

Who We Are

At Humble Design, we turn empty spaces into homes with dignity, hope, and a healthy dose of trademark “Humble Magic.” Our San Diego team has helped hundreds of individuals, families, and veterans leaving homelessness to regain stability and begin to thrive by transforming their empty houses into warm, welcoming homes.

What we do works: according to a 2024 UC San Diego Homelessness Hub study, 98 percent of Humble San Diego clients stay housed after receiving our services, because having a home instead of only having housing is a social determinant of health and well-being. We are looking to grow our mission and serve more of our neighbors.

We believe that every piece, every detail, and every moment – together – creates a special kind of magic. Humble Design welcomes people home, so that lives are changed for good.

The Role:

The Operations Manager is an organized, motivated, empathetic individual leading our core team in service to our mission and community. This person will be a crucial member of our leadership team, with the responsibility of creating and maintaining the environment for staff and volunteers to best serve Humble’s mission and clients.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Operations Manager will oversee the day-to-day operations of Humble Design San Diego, ensuring our team’s ability to serve our clients each week. This person needs to be flexible and willing to jump in where needed, skilled at time management and prioritization, and able to communicate effectively with the team and volunteers.

Overall duties include team management and professional development; oversight of the programs and systems that power our everyday work; and collaboration with the Executive Director to design and implement reliable infrastructure and steward critical relationships to sustain and grow our mission.

What You’ll Do

Keep the Business Engine Running Smoothly: You will lead the team in ensuring all tools and technology solutions are deployed effectively. You’ll manage operational expenses and serve as the key strategist for in-kind donation logistics management.

Manage the Core Team: Our everyday mission is powered by incredible people. You’ll directly manage our interior design team, our Warehouse Manager, and our Client Services Manager. You’ll empower seven direct reports, plus three on-call team members, to effectively and joyfully deliver our services. You’ll lead all-team scheduling and communication and will partner with the Executive Director to ensure that operations and strategy align.

Own Team-Wide Skill-Building and Support: Team culture is everything at Humble. You’ll design and manage the systems that make our work efficient, effective, and joyful. This includes process development, implementation, and accountability; Human Resources and professional development opportunity management; and ongoing team-building initiatives to ensure our team members are equipped, engaged, and inspired.

Empower the Volunteer Ecosystem: Humble’s work is intentionally dependent on extraordinary volunteerism. You’ll ensure volunteers understand their roles, have the tools they need to effectively support the team, and have the information they need to be critical ambassadors for our mission in the community.

Manage Aligned Partnerships: You will steward key partnerships across Humble’s network, including – but not limited to – the design, hospitality, and furniture sectors. You will manage Humble’s formal partnership with the American Society of Interior Designers and will oversee engagement with community volunteer groups seeking to support Humble’s mission. You will partner with other members of the administrative team to strengthen relationships that lead to deeper investment in Humble’s mission.

You’ll Shine if You Have

• A passion for Humble Design’s mission and a belief in the transformative “magic” of beautiful, dignified homes.
• 3+ years of operations and nonprofit management experience
• A proven track record of excellence in people and systems management.
• Top-tier communication and organizational skills.
• The ability to work both independently and collaboratively in an ever-evolving environment.
• An action-oriented growth mindset: the ability to anticipate upcoming needs, identify opportunities for process improvement, and ensure follow-through to implementation and communication of solutions.
• Facility and comfort with learning and managing multiple online platforms.
• The ability to both envision and articulate the big picture and do the boots-on-the-ground work to bring it to life – Humble is a team sport, and everyone is a player.

Bonus Points For

• Knowledge of and facility with social media platform management
• Experience within the design and/or homelessness sectors

Why You’ll Love Working Here

• You’ll be part of a passionate team creating real impact in your own community.
• You’ll see the magic in action on “Days of Joy.” Imagine walking into an empty house in the morning…and opening the door in the afternoon to welcome a family home on the best day of their year.
• You’ll learn and grow in an inspiring nonprofit that’s making a measurable difference.

How to Apply

We’re excited to meet people who care as much about our inspiring clients and their beautiful homes as we do. To apply via Breezy HR, please submit:

1. Resume
2. Cover Letter including:
   • Why you’re drawn to Humble Design’s mission
   • A system you built and/or managed that you’re proud of
   • How your skills and approach fit a collaborative, mission-driven team

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Every application is read with care.

Got questions? Email us at jobs.san@humbledesign.org

Humble Design is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law. Humble Design provides reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and for sincerely held religious beliefs, in accordance with applicable law.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS (must be met in order to successfully complete the essential functions of the job), While largely sedentary, this position requires the ability to sit, stand, lift up to 20 lbs., speak, and hear, sometimes for extended periods of time. Requires the ability to traverse, survey, and evaluate external and internal spaces within the property. Requires the ability to use a computer and office equipment traditionally found in office settings. Requires the ability to travel regionally. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

• This is a full-time, salaried position
• Salary is competitive for the region and based on experience and demonstrated capacities: $70,500
• Benefits: Medical insurance and PTO