Senior Operations Partner

ECMC Foundation•Minneapolis, MN

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

ECMC Foundation is a nationally focused foundation working to improve higher education for career success among underserved populations through evidence-based innovation. The Senior Operations Partner is a senior-level operational professional responsible for shaping and advancing the infrastructure, governance, and business practices that support the Foundation’s mission and strategic priorities. Reporting to the Director of Operations, the role manages a broad portfolio that includes financial operations, contracting, risk and compliance, systems, vendor management, and organizational planning. The Senior Operations Partner advises Foundation leadership, translates strategy into scalable operating models, leads complex cross-functional initiatives, and uses data and operational insight to improve decision-making, efficiency, transparency, and organizational resilience. The position exercises significant independent judgment and works with Foundation teams, ECMC Group Shared Services, and external organizations to deliver sustainable solutions and measurable operational impact. The position is hybrid, with attendance in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Monday through Wednesday, and requires domestic travel of up to 25%. The pay range is $90,000–$120,000, with actual compensation potentially varying based on relevant experience, peer and market benchmarks, and geographic location.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in finance, business administration, nonprofit management, public administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience.
At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in operations, grantmaking, finance, or a related function.
Demonstrated success operating at a senior or lead level, with accountability for a complex portfolio of operational processes, systems, programs, or enterprise initiatives.
Ability to translate organizational strategy into operating plans, governance structures, decision frameworks, milestones, performance measures, and sustainable practices.
Experience leading complex cross-functional initiatives and influencing senior leaders, business partners, and external stakeholders without relying on direct authority.
Strong judgment and demonstrated ability to identify, assess, communicate, and mitigate operational, financial, compliance, and reputational risks.
Strong experience with budget planning, forecasting, financial reporting, expense management, reconciliations, controls, and decision-support analysis.
Experience managing contract and procurement lifecycles, vendor relationships, service expectations, and operational agreements in partnership with legal, finance, and business stakeholders.
Advanced ability to synthesize financial, operational, and business data into clear recommendations for varied audiences.
Experience defining performance indicators, service standards, dashboards, or other mechanisms to measure operational effectiveness and drive accountability.
Experience utilizing and improving CRM, grants management, financial, or other enterprise systems, including platforms such as Fluxx, Salesforce, or comparable applications.
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
Ability to travel domestically up to 25% and work effectively within the Foundation’s hybrid work environment.
Ability to perform the essential duties satisfactorily; reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.

Nice To Haves

Experience working within a foundation, nonprofit, philanthropic, or grantmaking organization, with knowledge of sector practices, governance, and stewardship expectations.
Experience managing enterprise system implementations, process redesign, change management, or operational transformation initiatives.
Experience managing the development, maintenance, and communication of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and grantmaking policies.
Experience supporting strategic planning, annual operating planning, organizational performance management, or executive-level decision support.
Experience supporting operations across multiple locations, states, or time zones.

Responsibilities

Manage the design, execution, and continuous evolution of the Foundation’s operating model, systems, controls, and workflows; establish multiyear roadmaps and priorities aligned with strategy, growth, and capacity.
Advise the Director of Operations and Foundation leadership on operational implications, tradeoffs, risks, resource needs, and opportunities; translate strategic direction into plans, governance, milestones, and measures of success.
Lead complex, high-impact initiatives across Foundation teams, ECMC Group Shared Services, and external partners; clarify decision rights, align stakeholders, resolve dependencies, and drive implementation and adoption.
Lead Foundation budget administration, forecasting, expense monitoring, reconciliations, and management reporting; identify trends and variances, improve controls, and provide analysis for resource allocation and leadership decisions.
Manage the operational lifecycle of Foundation contracts and vendor relationships, including intake, coordination, performance monitoring, renewals, issue escalation, and partnership with legal, procurement, finance, and business owners.
Establish and maintain operational controls, policies, and governance practices that support compliance, stewardship, audit readiness, business continuity, and timely operational risk mitigation.
Define business requirements and lead improvements to financial and related systems; promote data integrity, effective adoption, reporting discipline, and scalable technology-enabled processes.
Establish service levels, key performance indicators, and feedback mechanisms; analyze operational data and stakeholder needs to prioritize improvements in efficiency, accuracy, transparency, and user experience.
Set standards for and oversee the development, maintenance, and communication of operational procedures, grantmaking policies, and documentation to support consistency, compliance, continuity, and organizational learning.
Provide senior-level consultation, training, and change leadership to help employees and partners adopt systems, policies, and processes; build operational capability and accountability across the Foundation.
Oversee honoraria and travel stipends, ensuring effective service delivery, appropriate controls, recordkeeping, and alignment with organizational priorities.
Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance plan options with a generous employer subsidy.
Company-paid life and disability insurance.
Pre-tax flexible spending accounts.
Wellness programs.
401(k) plan with a company match up to 6% and potential additional discretionary contributions.
Paid time off starting at 20 days per year.
Commuter subsidy.
Tuition reimbursement up to $10,500 per year for approved programs.
Student loan payment reimbursement up to $4,800 per year.
Up to $5,250 of qualifying education benefits can be reimbursed pre-tax.