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Heartland Fund is seeking an experienced nonprofit operations leader to be its first Operations Director. For a thoughtful, mission-driven professional, this leadership position is an exciting opportunity to develop new systems and processes in a rapidly growing 501c3-501c4 grantmaking organization and ever changing compliance environment.
Heartland Fund’s Operations Director oversees core operational functions that support the organization’s effectiveness, compliance, and long-term sustainability. This role is responsible for managing systems, vendors, risk and insurance matters, employee benefits administration, event operations, and key compliance processes. The successful candidate will be a highly organized, solutions-oriented leader who can manage multiple priorities, strengthen internal processes, and support a remote team environment.
You will have an opportunity to help us shape this new leadership role and enable historic, equitable investment in rural communities, democracy, and climate solutions. This is a unique and dynamic position with opportunities for leadership, growth, and impact as the Heartland Fund prepares to launch as an independent entity in 2027.
This is a remote position with a salary range of $127,500 to $150,000 and includes a generous benefits package.
Applications will be reviewed and considered on a rolling basis. A limited number of screening calls and interview spots will be filled starting in August 2026, with a desired start date by October 2026. Early applications are strongly encouraged.
As a funder collaborative, the Heartland Fund scales investment, supports local leaders, and builds long-term partnerships with rural and Native organizations to create thriving places where rural working people can determine our own futures, strengthening the entire nation. Heartland's grantmaking and programmatic investments support rural people working to transform their lives and communities toward shared prosperity, a healthy climate, and stronger democracy. We invest in building local capacity for issue advocacy, community organizing, economic development and local jobs, climate solutions, civic engagement, and sustainable urban-rural coalitions. We prioritize racial justice in all aspects of our work. In addition to grantmaking, Heartland also supports rural leaders and organizations through convening, research, and communications and storytelling.
Heartland Fund has three programs:
Rural Democracy expands nonpartisan civic participation and counters policies that harm our democratic institutions in places where rural action can define policy and democratic outcomes.
Resource Rural (RR) mobilizes resources enabling rural communities to unlock public and private investment to create positive economic change in their communities.
Rural Climate Partnership (RCP) supports hometowns across America to accelerate climate solutions and build healthy local economies.
Both RR and RCP programs help rural communities access public funding – through place-based technical assistance, local organizing, and a large-scale communications and narrative effort – to make a tangible difference in rural people’s lives and to advance climate mitigation and resilience.
The Operations Director reports to the Senior Director of Finance and Operations and works closely with leadership, staff, vendors, and external advisors to ensure strong organizational operations and compliance. This role supervises the Operations & Contracts Manager and provides oversight for external IT contractors. Primary responsibilities include overseeing day-to-day operational systems and processes, supporting compliance obligations, and helping the organization function efficiently and effectively.
Oversee organizational technology and data systems with external IT support.
Manage technology security practices, policies, and procedures to protect organizational data and operations.
In partnership with other organizational leaders, develop, maintain, and oversee organizational systems, workflows, policies, and procedures.
Serve on the cross-org data governance committee.
Oversee organizational risk management practices and identify operational risk areas. Develop and train staff on compliance procedures.
Manage business insurance policies, renewals, documentation, and coordination with brokers or advisors.
Manage nation-wide fundraising registrations with support of external vendor.
Partner with internal leaders and external counsel to identify compliance risks and operational requirements related to the request and receipt of funds, grantmaking expenditures, and other activities. Serve on the cross-org compliance committee.
Oversee compliance required activities such as time-tracking and external reporting related to lobbying and political activity rules at the federal and state levels.
Oversee contract administration and procurement processes for vendors, consultants, and service providers.
Ensure contracts are tracked, executed, and maintained in accordance with organizational procedures.
Oversee logistical planning and operations for in-person and virtual meetings, convenings, and organizational events with staff and/or contractor/vendor support.
Ensure events are compliant with internal procedures, and aligned with organizational needs.
Manage the organization’s relationship with the PEO and related administrative processes.
Oversee employee benefits administration, enrollments, changes, and coordination with external providers.
Oversee internal processes related to employment administration, policies, and staff operational needs.
The ideal candidate will have deep nonprofit operations management and compliance experience, ideally in both a grantmaking setting and a 501c3/501c4 environment. They will understand the challenges facing nonprofits today and have experience developing systems and training staff on how to keep organizations safe.
Heartland Fund’s growing team takes pride in building an organizational culture rooted in learning, collaboration, racial justice, and a deep commitment to our mission. All staff are expected to provide leadership and vision to advance our mission, vision, and core strategies.
We realize that some great candidates may not have every single thing on this list. If you believe you would be a great fit for this role, we encourage you to apply.
Minimum of 10 years of professional experience. At least 7 years of operations and compliance management experience in a nonprofit organization.
Experience overseeing operational systems, vendors, and cross-functional administrative processes.
Experience with risk management, insurance coordination, contracts, procurement, and/or other compliance-related responsibilities.
Experience overseeing technology systems and security.
Strong project management and organizational skills, with excellent attention to detail.
Ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and stakeholders effectively.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment in a remote work environment.
Experience in a start-up environment.
2+ years of managing operations staff and/or teams.
Experience in a 501c3 and 501c4 multi entity organization, including knowledge of lobbying and political activity compliance requirements applicable to charitable, advocacy, and/or social welfare organizations.
Experience working in a grantmaking philanthropic or nonprofit intermediary organization.
Advanced proficiency with Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Calendar, Drive), video conferencing platforms (Zoom, etc.), virtual collaboration platforms, and CRM systems (Donor Perfect preferred).
Experience managing PEO relationships, employee benefits administration, and remote operations.
Experience with event operations and vendor management.
Demonstrated experience working effectively with colleagues of diverse backgrounds and perspectives:
Appreciation of the diverse cultural traditions of rural people and places.
Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills.
Comfort working with a range of individuals in nonprofit organizations, government, foundations, and private sectors.
Experience living and/or working in rural America is strongly preferred.
This is a full-time, exempt position with occasional travel within the United States. The organization is virtual, and the position may work remotely from their home within the United States. The starting salary range for this position is $127,500 to $150,000.
The comprehensive benefits package includes 100% employer-paid health, dental, and vision insurance for employees (and their families). Employees are able to enroll in a 401k retirement plan and are eligible for a 3% automatic contribution and up to a 3% employer match on 401k contributions. Employees are also eligible for pre-tax transportation benefits. Full-time employees will receive 120 hours of vacation time, 80 hours of health leave, up to 2 days of casual leave, and 20 hours of volunteer leave annually. Employees will also receive 13 paid holidays throughout the calendar year. Employees are eligible for 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave after 90 days of employment. All employees of Windward are required to complete timesheets.
Heartland Fund is a project of Windward Fund, a 501(c)(3) public charity that incubates new and innovative public-interest projects and grant-making programs. Windward Fund is committed to attracting, developing and retaining exceptional people, and to creating a work environment that is dynamic, rewarding and enables each of us to realize our potential.
Windward Fund’s work environment is safe and open to all employees and partners, respecting the full spectrum of race, color, religious creed, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and all other classifications protected by law in the locality and/or state in which you are working.
The individual holding this position will also work part-time for a coordinated project, Rural Victory Fund, in Sixteen Thirty Fund, a 501(c)(4) organization, under a resource-sharing agreement between Windward Fund and Sixteen Thirty Fund. The responsibilities under that position will be overseen by Sixteen Thirty Fund.
Windward participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with employees’ Form I-9 information to confirm authorization to work in the United States. Job candidates and employees authorized to work may not be discriminated against on the basis of national origin or citizenship status.
Applications will be reviewed and considered on a rolling basis. A limited number of screening calls and interview spots will be filled starting in August 2026, with a desired start date by October 2026. Early applications are strongly encouraged.
The Heartland Fund is partnering with Clover Search Works on this search. Questions regarding this opportunity are welcomed and can be directed to Yohanna Briscoe at yohanna (at) cloversearchworks.com.
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