Operations Director

Operations Director

Shalom Farms

 

Location: Richmond, VA (Hybrid Eligible)
Position Type: Full-time, Exempt (40 hours/week)
Reports To: Executive Director
Supervises: Office Manager
Salary: $83,000–$88,000 annually

 

About Shalom Farms

 

Shalom Farms is a nonprofit food justice organization committed to ensuring everyone has equitable access to nourishing food and meaningful opportunities to grow, choose, cook, and enjoy that food.

 

Across two Certified Naturally Grown farms, Shalom Farms works with thousands of volunteers each year to produce more than 200,000 pounds of fruits and vegetables, which are distributed throughout the Richmond, Virginia region through a variety of programs and partnerships.

 

Position Summary

 

The Operations Director is a senior leadership position responsible for providing strategic leadership and oversight of the organization's operations, human resources, finance, and organizational effectiveness functions.

 

Reporting directly to the Executive Director, the Operations Director serves as a key member of the Leadership Team and supervises the Office Manager. This role ensures that organizational systems, people, processes, and resources support Shalom Farms' mission, strategic priorities, and long-term sustainability.

 

The ideal candidate is a systems-oriented leader who combines strategic thinking with strong operational execution, builds cross-functional collaboration, manages complex initiatives, and provides thoughtful leadership while handling confidential matters with professionalism and discretion.

 

Key Areas of Responsibility

 

Operations Strategy & Organizational Effectiveness (35%)

 

Provide strategic leadership for organizational operations, ensuring systems, policies, workflows, and processes support the mission and strategic plan while strengthening organizational effectiveness.

 

Responsibilities include:

 

• Develop, implement, and continuously improve organizational systems, policies, procedures, and operating practices.

• Lead cross-department planning, coordination, and problem solving.

• Establish project management practices, organizational workflows, and accountability systems.

• Identify operational risks and implement process improvements.

• Monitor implementation of the strategic plan and elevate barriers to leadership.

• Oversee organizational compliance with licenses, insurance, registrations, policies, and regulatory requirements.

• Partner with the Office Manager to oversee administration, records management, technology systems, vendor relationships, and facilities.

• Lead planning and logistics for staff retreats, trainings, and internal initiatives.

• Serve as a resource to department leaders on systems design and organizational effectiveness.

 

Human Resources & Talent Strategy (25%)

 

Lead the organization's people strategy while supporting compliance, staff wellbeing, equitable workplace practices, and organizational culture.

 

Responsibilities include:

 

• Partner with leadership to develop workforce and talent strategies.

• Lead recruitment, hiring, onboarding, retention, succession planning, and talent development.

• Oversee performance management, goal setting, coaching, and employee development.

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws.

• Maintain HR policies, employee handbook, and HR practices.

• Oversee employee relations, conflict resolution, investigations, and disciplinary processes.

• Lead compensation, benefits, and leave administration in partnership with the Executive Director.

• Monitor HR trends, employment law, and organizational development best practices.

• Advance racial equity through HR policies, practices, and organizational culture.

• Assess organizational culture, employee engagement, and professional development needs.

• Oversee EASE benefits administration, CheckRight payroll, and other HR platforms.

• Foster a workplace culture grounded in justice, collaboration, integrity, respect, and sustainability.

• Lead workforce planning and succession planning efforts.

• Partner with leadership to strengthen employee engagement, leadership development, and organizational culture.

 

Finance & Business Operations (25%)

 

Provide strategic oversight of financial operations while partnering with external accounting professionals to ensure sound financial management.

 

Responsibilities include:

 

• Oversee day-to-day financial operations using Bill.com and QuickBooks Online.

• Supervise and partner with the Office Manager.

• Serve as the primary liaison to external accountants, auditors, and finance consultants.

• Lead the annual budgeting process with the Executive Director and department leaders.

• Monitor financial performance, cash flow, and budget-to-actual results.

• Develop financial analyses, forecasts, and recommendations.

• Ensure timely completion of audits, Form 990, tax filings, and compliance requirements.

• Support grant budgeting, financial reporting, and restricted fund management.

• Oversee financial policies, internal controls, and risk management.

• Lead the Finance Committee and support Board committee activities.

• Present financial reports and recommendations to leadership and the Board.

 

Leadership Team Support & Organizational Alignment (15%)

 

Serve as a strategic partner to the Executive Director while helping coordinate organizational priorities and leadership initiatives.

 

Responsibilities include:

 

• Serve as a member of the Leadership Team.

• Coordinate strategic planning and organizational decision-making.

• Prepare Leadership Team meeting agendas, facilitation processes, and accountability tracking.

• Coordinate cross-functional initiatives and organizational priorities.

• Provide strategic analysis and recommendations to leadership.

• Lead organizational projects that advance strategic goals.

• Monitor organizational capacity and staffing needs.

• Facilitate communication among leadership, staff, committees, and the Board.

• Attend Board and committee meetings as assigned.

• Prepare dashboards, reports, and organizational updates.

• Represent Shalom Farms with funders, consultants, partners, and stakeholders.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

 

Qualifications

 

 

Required

 

• 5+ years of progressive leadership experience in operations, finance, human resources, nonprofit management, or a related field.

• Knowledge of employment law, HR regulations, and best practices.

• Demonstrated success leading cross-functional initiatives and organizational improvement efforts.

• Strong strategic planning and operational execution skills.

• Experience managing budgets, financial reporting, forecasting, and financial planning.

• Experience partnering with senior leadership, boards, or governing bodies.

• Strong project management skills with multiple stakeholders.

• Demonstrated leadership in coaching, performance management, talent development, and team building.

• High emotional intelligence, professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment.

• Strong facilitation, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.

• Commitment to anti-racism and Shalom Farms' values of justice, collaboration, integrity, respect, and sustainability.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Passion for food justice, equitable food access, and systems change.

 

Preferred

 

• Experience working in a nonprofit organization.

• Experience supporting boards and governance processes.

• Experience implementing strategic plans and performance measurement systems.

• Experience with nonprofit compliance, grant management, and restricted fund accounting.

• Experience with HRIS, payroll, and benefits administration systems.

• Familiarity with QuickBooks or similar accounting software.

• Experience in food systems, agriculture, public health, community development, or related fields.

 

Compensation & Benefits

 

• Salary: $83,000–$88,000

• Hybrid work opportunity

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance

• Paid holidays

• Generous vacation and sick leave

• One paid week off each August

• Free farm produce

• Full-time, year-round exempt position with occasional evening and weekend work

 

How to Apply

 

Submit the following:

 

• Cover letter

• Resume

• 2–3 professional references

 

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Priority consideration will be given to applications received by July 20, 2026. Interviews are expected in July and August, with a target start date during the week of September 14, 2026.

 

Equal Opportunity Employer

 

Shalom Farms is committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects the communities it serves. The organization values equity, inclusion, and diversity at every level and welcomes candidates from all backgrounds. All employees are expected to comply with organizational policies and all applicable federal, state, and local laws.