Senior Director of Operations

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Senior Director of Operations performs a wide range of duties, including but not limited to the following:

Financial Oversight

• Supervise the Director of Finance and provide oversight of all accounting, budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting activities.
• Ensure compliance with federal and state regulations, internal controls, and nonprofit best practices.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director and Director of Finance on annual budget planning and long-term financial strategy.
• Oversee the management of incoming grants, including compliance, reporting and invoicing processes to ensure timely and accurate financial tracking and accountability.

Strategic Engagement Communication and External Affairs

• Supervise the Director of the Strategic Engagement department, including communications and network and stakeholder engagement.
• Support the development and implementation of strategies that enhance MCAN’s visibility, credibility, and statewide influence.
• Build and maintain a positive reputation with key external stakeholders, including government agencies, nonprofit partners, community organizations, and funders.

Human Resources

• Supervise the Director of the Human Resources and Administration department, including recruitment, onboarding, compensation and benefits, professional development, and performance management.
• Foster collaboration and teamwork across departments to achieve organizational goals.

Administration

• Oversee facilities operations and space planning to ensure a safe and functional work environment; manage vendor contracts and facility related budgets.
• Provide strategic oversight of information technology systems, cybersecurity; align IT initiatives with organizational goals and ensure reliable technical support services.

Network Engagement and Convenings

• Supervise the Director of Network Engagement and Convenings and provide oversight on MCAN hosted events.
• Support the execution of strategic convenings, events, and engagement efforts across MCAN.
• Build and maintain, in coordination with programmatic staff, a portfolio of gatherings that build capacity, foster collaboration, and advance the movement toward Sixty by 30.D

Organizational Leadership & Strategic Planning

• Oversee the day-to-day internal operations of the organization, ensuring alignment with MCAN’s strategic priorities.
• Support programming departments to find creative solutions to allow departments to achieve success.
• Promote a culture of equity, inclusion, innovation, and accountability throughout the organization.
• Create and implement policies and practices that foster a healthy, engaged, and high-performing team.
• significant experience in operations, finance, or administration within a nonprofit, philanthropic, educational, or mission-driven organization.

EDUCATION, SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Demonstrated success in senior operational or executive leadership roles, with the ability to develop and execute implementation plans across departments.
• Strong financial acumen, including experience with nonprofit budgeting, forecasting, compliance, and financial reporting.
• Deep understanding of nonprofit management best practices, including internal controls, risk mitigation, and regulatory compliance.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate strategies, priorities, and outcomes to diverse audiences.
• Experience leading communications, public policy, or stakeholder engagement functions that advance organizational visibility and impact.
• Skilled in supervising and developing high-performing teams across functions, including finance, human resources, and strategic engagement.
• Proven ability to cultivate a collaborative, inclusive, and accountable workplace culture aligned with organizational values.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to prioritize, delegate, and manage multiple complex initiatives simultaneously.
• Relationship-building expertise with internal and external stakeholders, including government agencies, community partners, funders, and staff.
• Flexibility and adaptability to navigate a dynamic nonprofit and educational environment, while maintaining long-term strategic focus.
• Willingness and ability for periodic in-state and national travel, including overnight stays as necessary.

Education and Experience:

• Master’s degree required in public administration, nonprofit management, business administration, education, human resources, accounting or a related field.
• Minimum of 8–10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience, including
• Demonstrated experience supervising senior-level staff across multiple departments and functions.
• Experience with nonprofit financial oversight, including law, budget development and financial reporting.
• Experience leading or working closely with teams responsible for communications, stakeholder engagement, advocacy, or public policy is preferred.
• Human resources leadership experience, including developing systems for recruitment, performance management, and employee engagement, is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with the higher education, K-12, or college access and success landscape is helpful.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of working on a computer either in a sitting or standing position.
• Must be able to lift 20 pounds at times.
• Must be able to access and navigate organization’s office facilities.

Benefits: Full benefits package includes platinum health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance. Also includes education support program, employee development program, 403b retirement plan (with standard 4% employer contribution and up to an additional 3% match), 240 hours of PTO, 13 paid holidays, 6 weeks fully paid parental leave, employee assistance program, downtown Lansing parking permit and cell phone reimbursement.