Director of Operations

National Loon Center - Director of Operations

Position Summary

Posted July 23, 2025

The National Loon Center Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit organization based in Crosslake, MN dedicated to the conservation of loons and freshwater ecosystems across North America. As a central part of its educational mission, the organization has begun construction on a world class facility in Crosslake, MN that will attract visitors for many generations. The forthcoming 15,000 square foot National Loon Center will educate many thousands of visitors with immersive exhibits while coordinating continent-wide loon research.

The Board of Directors (BOD) and the Executive Director (ED) are looking for a strategic Director of Operations (DO) to play a key role in the organization’s facility and grounds planning, while overseeing daily operations. The DO will be an essential member of the National Loon Center’s leadership team.

The successful DO will design and implement efficient and effective operating systems to form the foundation of a thriving National Loon Center, where a projected 66,000 annual visitors will enjoy a state-of-the-art facility and learn about the internationally significant loon research and education occurring at the Center.

The DO will work closely with the Executive Director to ensure that the operational activities align with the strategic goals and objectives of the organization. A successful DO will exemplify and foster a productive and supportive work environment for team members, ensuring effective execution of day-to-day tasks. The DO is a vital leader of internal operations and administrative functions.

Primary Responsibilities

• Design and implement the NLC’s operational plans and policies related to the facility and in support of its programs.
• Oversee facility operations and visitor experience considerations, building management, business operations, and retail operations.
• Provide a strong day-to-day leadership presence for staff and volunteers.
• Build a team and related plans to effectively engage the public at the new facility.
• Lead office management and technology needs.
• Design and implement maintenance plans for properties, facilities and other assets.
• Work with treasurer and BOD governance committee to ensure that adequate insurance coverages are maintained.
• Design and communicate risk management strategies with staff and BOD.
• Manage contracts, organizational reporting and compliance with City of Crosslake, State of Minnesota, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and others as required.
• Develop the annual budget in partnership with the Board Treasurer and ED.
• Manage daily revenue and expense tracking to enable effective accounting and budget tracking.
• Manage audit processes with support from the Board Treasurer and ED.
• Ensure most efficient utilization/integration of POS (Square), CRM (Bloomerang) and accounting systems (QuickBooks online).
• Actively contribute to exhibit design and construction-related meetings to provide operational insight.
• Prepare and deliver reports for BOD.
• Work with BOD governance committee to ensure policies and bylaws are reviewed and updated annually.
• Manage NLC’s equipment and storage needs.

Organizational Relationship

The DO reports to the ED. The DO will produce written and oral reports for the Board of Directors in coordination with the ED. The DO oversees all internal functions, while the ED focuses more specifically on external matters such as fundraising, public relations, and partnership and business development.

Key Qualifications

As a prerequisite, the successful candidate must believe in the core values of the National Loon Center and be driven by the mission. A successful candidate should have proven experience in facility/venue operational management and organizational administration. We also value a proven leader who thrives in building the foundation for organizational excellence.

Exceptional candidates will also:

• • Seize the opportunity to “scale up” the operating systems of a growing organization to achieve strategic growth goals and provide an exceptional visitor experience.
  • Enjoy working in “start-up” mode and contributing to rapid and sustainable growth.
  • Foster accountability, develop and empower employees across departments, and learn the strengths and weaknesses of the team to maximize the NLC’s potential.
  • Possess an undergraduate degree at a minimum; an advanced degree related to business and/or facility administration is highly desired.
  • Reside within or be willing to relocate to the beautiful Brainerd Lakes Area of Minnesota. The individual who fills this position will be highly visible in Crosslake and be integrally involved with day-to-day activities on-site.

Compensation

This is an exciting opportunity for a skilled professional to play a key role in the development of the National Loon Center’s operating foundation, enabling long-term success for this world class facility. The National Loon Center, with essential personnel support from the Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerce, is prepared to offer a very attractive compensation package, including a competitive base salary and a variety of great benefits.

The hiring range for this position is $70,000 - $90,000.

If this opportunity inspires you, please email your resume, cover letter and three (3) professional references to Jon Mobeck at jon@nationallooncenter.org. We look forward to hearing from you. There is no deadline to apply; the position will remain open until successfully filled.