Operations Manager

Browning the Green Space

Boston, MA 02298, USA

Published: 6/14/2022

Full Time

Job Description

Classification: Exempt (Salaried)

Status: Full-Time

Location: Massachusetts / Hybrid-Remote

Reports to: Executive Director

Salary: $80,000 to $100,000

Send resumes and CLs to: careers@browningthegreenspace.org

About Us

Browning the Green Space (BGS) is a Massachusetts-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit working to accelerate an equitable clean energy transition by developing diverse talent, empowering BIPOC-led clean energy businesses, and shaping policies and systems that reduce structural barriers. Through trusted relationships, a unique cross-sector network, and deep clean energy expertise, BGS serves as a bridge among communities, employers, entrepreneurs, funders, policymakers, and innovators so that clean energy growth creates meaningful economic opportunity for communities historically excluded

from the sector.

BGS works through an integrated model spanning workforce development, business acceleration, and policy and systems change. Its work includes career pathways and employer engagement, support for BIPOC-led clean energy businesses, coalition building, strategic partnerships, policy advocacy, and ecosystem convening.

About the Role

The Operations Manager is a highly trusted partner to the Executive Director (ED) and a central operational resource for Browning the Green Space. In a small and growing organization, this is one intentionally hybrid role that blends executive partnership, high-level administrative support, organizational operations, project management, Board support, systems building, and hands-on execution. The position creates the structure, coordination, and follow-through that allows the ED and broader team to remain focused on BGS’s mission and strategic priorities.

The role operates across both tactical and strategic work. The Operations Manager may move in the same day from managing the ED’s calendar and preparing Board materials to building project plans, coordinating consultants, improving organizational processes, conducting research, or assisting with the execution of strategic priorities. The position is expected to understand the broader organizational context, anticipate what is needed, and then personally help get the work done.

The ideal candidate is resourceful, highly organized, discreet, proactive, and comfortable working in an entrepreneurial environment where priorities evolve and team members wear multiple hats. This person will be a trusted thought partner to the ED, and a hands-on operator without becoming the default owner of every organizational gap. Success requires strong judgment, exceptional follow-through, comfort with ambiguity, and the ability to distinguish what should be handled directly, coordinated through others, or elevated to the ED.

Essential Functions, Duties and Responsibilities

Executive Support & Prioritization

Serve as a trusted partner to the Executive Director (ED), helping organize priorities, manage competing demands, and ensure commitments, decisions, and follow-up actions move forward.

Manage the ED’s calendar, organizational programming calendar, scheduling, meetings, travel, and related logistics with an understanding of organizational priorities.

Prepare agendas, briefing materials, presentations, correspondence, talking points, and other materials for meetings, events, partner engagement, and decision-making.

Track action items and commitments and proactively follow up with staff, consultants, Board members, and external partners.

Triage incoming requests, information, opportunities, and decisions, determining what requires the ED’s attention and what can be addressed, coordinated, delegated, or routed elsewhere.

Handle sensitive organizational, personnel, financial, partner, and Board information with discretion and sound judgment.

Organizational Operations & Administration

Coordinate day-to-day administrative and operational needs that support organizational effectiveness.

Develop, document, maintain, and improve organizational processes, workflows, templates, files, and standard operating practices.

Support consistent use of organizational systems, including Monday.com, Airtable, HubSpot, 1Password, shared drives, calendars, and other tools.

Maintain organized records, document management, and institutional knowledge to support continuity.

Coordinate vendors, consultants, subscriptions, insurance, virtual workplace needs, agreements, renewals, and deliverables.

Identify operational gaps and recommend practical process, system, or workflow improvements.

Project Coordination & Strategic Follow-Through

Partner with the ED and directors to translate strategic priorities and decisions into clear workplans, timelines, owners, milestones, and next steps.

Drive follow-through on selected organizational priorities and special projects, tracking progress and identifying risks, dependencies, and delays.

Coordinate cross-functional work involving staff, consultants, and partners while respecting established ownership and decision-making authority.

Conduct research, synthesize information, and prepare concise summaries, options, or recommendations to support decision-making.

Provide hands-on coordination and execution for time-sensitive or emerging priorities when additional capacity is needed.

Board & Governance Support

Coordinate Board and committee meetings, including calendars, agendas, materials, presentations, minutes, and follow-up.

Maintain Board records, governance documents, calendars, and action items.

Support Board communications, events, retreats, onboarding, and other governance-related activities.

Finance, Grants & Business Administration Support

Serve as an administrative liaison with BGS’s finance, bookkeeping, HR, legal, and other outside consultants.

Support routine financial administration, including invoices and expenses, accounts receivable follow-up, budget tracking, contracts, and grant documentation.

Maintain tracking for grants, contracts, reporting deadlines, renewals, compliance requirements, and other recurring obligations.

Coordinate grant and contract administration, including documentation, internal information gathering, records, and deadlines.

Coordinate administrative aspects of people operations, including onboarding/offboarding, employee records, benefits, payroll processing, and related processes in partnership with the ED and outside resources.

Team, Communications & External Coordination

Coordinate staff meetings and planning sessions and support clear communication, decisions, action items, and accountability.

Serve as a professional point of contact for selected partners, funders, Board members, vendors, consultants, and other stakeholders.

Support organizational events and external engagements, including logistics, materials, invitations, registration, and follow-up.

Provide coordination and execution support for presentations, website updates, contact lists, communications, and distribution of materials in partnership with external marketing and communications resources.

Education, Experience and Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience preferred.

5–7+ years of progressively responsible experience in executive support, operations, project management, administration, nonprofit management, or a related environment.

Experience supporting a senior executive, founder, or organizational leader strongly preferred.

Demonstrated ability to independently manage complex calendars, priorities, projects, information, deadlines, and follow-through.

Experience improving operational systems, documenting processes, and creating structure within a small, growing, entrepreneurial, or resource-constrained organization.

Strong project-management skills with the ability to move work from discussion to execution through clear next steps, ownership, timelines, and accountability.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to prepare professional correspondence, meeting materials, presentations, and concise summaries.

High level of discretion, judgment, maturity, and professionalism when handling confidential or sensitive information.

Strong technology aptitude and ability to learn and optimize collaborative work-management, CRM/database, document-management, and productivity systems.

Experience with nonprofit Boards, grants/contracts, finance administration, HR administration, vendors, or consultants is helpful but not required across every area.

Interest in BGS’s mission and work across clean energy, climate, racial equity, workforce development, entrepreneurship, community development, or related fields.

Travel

Local and regional travel may be required for meetings, events, Board activities, stakeholder engagement, and other organizational needs, primarily within Massachusetts and the surrounding region.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Browning the Green Space is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. BGS provides equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination and harassment based on characteristics protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Benefits and Perks

The salary range for this position is based on experience. BGS offers full-time employees with the following generous benefits package:

Remote work and flexible schedule

Access to coworking desk at CIC Boston

Medical, dental, and vision insurance (paid at 100% for employees and 75% for dependents)

Life insurance

Short and long-term disability insurance

403(b) retirement plan

Unlimited paid time off, Federally designated holidays, and four weeks of paid time off during office closures (two weeks at the end of August and two weeks at the end of December)