Job Title: Director of Operations

Reports To: Executive Director

Status: Full-Time, Exempt

Pay Range: $70,000-$80,000 /annual

Expected Start Date: Rolling

About Boulder County Farmers Markets

For nearly 40 years, Boulder County Farmers Markets (BCFM)  has connected farmers, food producers, and communities through vibrant farmers markets and innovative food access programs. Today, BCFM is a growing nonprofit organization with a broader vision: building a thriving local food system that supports regional agriculture, strengthens community connection, and expands access to local food. The Director of Operations will join at a pivotal moment — helping transform a successful, entrepreneurial organization into a sustainable, resilient institution prepared for its next four decades.

Position Description

BCFM is seeking an experienced operations leader who combines strategic thinking with practical execution. The ideal candidate will be a collaborative builder who can strengthen organizational systems while honoring the relationships, entrepreneurial spirit, and community-centered culture that have shaped BCFM for nearly 40 years. You may be a strong fit if you are a:

Nonprofit Operations Leader: You have experience managing the systems, processes, and infrastructure that allow mission-driven organizations to grow effectively. You understand the realities of balancing limited resources, ambitious goals, and community expectations.

People-Centered Manager: You believe strong organizations are built through strong teams. You have experience supporting managers, improving workplace culture, developing staff, and creating environments where people can do their best work.

Systems Builder: You enjoy turning complexity into clarity. You know when to create structure, when to simplify, and when to preserve flexibility. You have experience implementing practical systems that people actually use.

Collaborative Partner: You build trust across departments and functions. You understand that operations is a service function — creating the conditions for programs, fundraising, partnerships, and community impact to succeed.

Mission-Aligned Leader: You are motivated by BCFM’s mission to build a thriving local food system and believe in the power of farmers markets, local agriculture, food access, and community connection to create a better future.

Core Responsibilities

The Director of Operations will serve as a key member of Boulder County Farmers Markets’ leadership team, partnering closely with the Executive Director, Director of Finance, and Director of Marketing & Development to strengthen the systems, structures, and culture that will support BCFM’s next era of growth.

This is a builder role for an experienced nonprofit operations leader who enjoys creating clarity where complexity exists. The Director of Operations will bring thoughtful systems, strong people leadership, and operational discipline to an organization that has grown quickly through creativity, entrepreneurship, and deep community commitment. The Director of Operations will:

Build Organizational Infrastructure & Operational Systems

Develop and strengthen the internal systems, processes, and tools needed to support a growing nonprofit organization.

Translate organizational goals into practical workflows, timelines, accountability structures, and decision-making processes.

Lead efforts to improve operational efficiency, cross-team communication, documentation, and organizational alignment.

Establish scalable systems that allow staff to spend more time advancing mission impact and less time navigating operational barriers.

Build long-term partnerships with key stakeholders, including City and Boulder County partners, to ensure smooth operations

Lead People Operations & Organizational Culture

Serve as a trusted partner to staff and leadership on organizational culture, communication, and team effectiveness.

Oversee human resources functions, including policies, employee lifecycle processes, performance management, compensation practices, onboarding, and professional development.

Support managers in becoming stronger leaders through coaching, clear expectations, and consistent management practices.

Help cultivate a workplace culture grounded in collaboration, accountability, equity, and care.

Support Program Operations & Team Alignment

Partner with program leaders across Seasonal Markets, Food Hub, Food Access, and Community Programs to strengthen operational planning and execution.

Create structures that support coordination across year-round and seasonal teams.

Improve annual planning, budgeting processes, staffing models, and resource allocation.

Identify opportunities to simplify systems and eliminate unnecessary complexity.

Strengthen Financial & Administrative Operations

Partner with the Director of Finance and Executive Director to strengthen financial systems, reporting rhythms, and operational decision-making.

Support effective budgeting, forecasting, and resource planning across program departments.

Ensure administrative systems are aligned with organizational growth and future needs.

Prepare BCFM for Its Next Chapter of Growth

Help build the organizational foundation and systems needed to support year-round local food access, expanded fundraising, increased community engagement, and the potential development of a year-round market and community hub.

First-Year Priorities

1. Build the Operational Foundation for Growth: Create the systems, structures, and rhythms that help a growing organization operate with greater clarity and effectiveness.**

In the first year, the Director of Operations will:

Conduct an organizational operations assessment and identify highest-impact improvements.

Establish clear operational priorities, ownership, and accountability across teams.

Develop repeatable processes for planning, communication, documentation, and decision-making.

Improve internal tools and systems to reduce administrative burden.

Success metrics: Systems support the mission instead of slowing it down. This means that core operational processes are easier to execute, administrative burden is reduced and teams have improved tools and workflows.

2. Strengthen People Systems & Leadership Capacity: Help BCFM evolve from a highly entrepreneurial organization into a sustainably managed organization. In the first year, the Director of Operations will:

Create a more consistent employee experience from onboarding through performance development.

Strengthen manager support, coaching, and accountability practices.

Refresh HR policies and practices to reflect BCFM’s values and organizational needs.

Build structures that support seasonal staff, year-round employees, and evolving team needs.

Success metrics: Managers are more confident and effective leaders with clearer expectations, tools, and support. Performance management and employee development practices are consistent and the staff experiences stronger communication and organizational support.

3. Improve Cross-Department Coordination: Create stronger alignment between programs, operations, finance, fundraising, and community engagement. In the first year, the Director of Operations will:

Establish leadership team operating rhythms and decision-making practices.

Improve annual planning and cross-functional coordination.

Clarify roles, responsibilities, and communication pathways.

Support program teams in balancing innovation with operational consistency.

Success metrics: The organization operates with greater clarity and alignment. Staff now understand priorities, responsibilities, and decision-making pathways. Operational challenges are identified and addressed proactively. Leadership has stronger systems for planning and communication. 

4. Partner in Building a Sustainable Future: Help prepare BCFM for continued impact, including future facilities and program growth. In the first year, the Director of Operations will:

Work with leadership team to create new, sustainable revenue streams through increased fundraising, community partnerships, and business planning/development.

Strengthen organizational readiness for capital investment and expanded programming.

Build systems that support increased community partnerships through strong internal capacity.

Success metrics: The culture that built BCFM is strengthened, not replaced, and we are prepared for sustainable growth. We maintain our entrepreneurial spirit while building greater consistency and sustainability. Staff feel supported, connected, and empowered to advance BCFM’s mission. The organization has stronger infrastructure to support increased programs, partnerships, and fundraising. Future growth opportunities are supported by thoughtful operational planning.

Who Thrives in This Role
The Director of Operations role is ideal for a leader who enjoys building. You are energized by the opportunity to bring structure, clarity, and sustainable systems to an organization with a strong mission, talented people, and significant momentum.

You thrive in environments where:

The vision is clear, but the systems to support that vision are still being built.

Creativity, entrepreneurship, and flexibility are valued alongside accountability and operational excellence.

You can move between strategy and execution — helping shape big-picture direction while also improving the day-to-day systems that make the work possible.

Relationships matter. You understand that strong operations are built through trust, communication, and partnership.

You enjoy solving problems, simplifying complexity, and creating tools that help others succeed.

The right person will not need every answer on day one. They will bring curiosity, good judgment, and the ability to listen deeply, understand what makes BCFM special, and help build what comes next.

This role will be especially rewarding for someone who has worked in a growing nonprofit, social enterprise, community organization, or mission-driven business and understands the unique challenge of building infrastructure while continuing to deliver meaningful impact.

Required Qualifications

7+ years of progressive experience in nonprofit operations, administration, organizational management, or a related field.

Demonstrated experience building and improving organizational systems, processes, and infrastructure.

Experience managing and developing staff, including supporting managers and building healthy team culture.

Strong understanding of nonprofit operations, including human resources, budgeting, planning, compliance, and organizational systems.

Experience successfully leading change, improving workflows, or helping organizations grow.

Excellent communication, relationship-building, and problem-solving skills.

Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on implementation.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience working in a nonprofit organization, social enterprise, community-based organization, food system organization, or similarly mission-driven environment.

Experience supporting organizations through periods of growth or transition.

Experience with organizational assessment, process improvement, or change management.

Familiarity with nonprofit financial management, fundraising operations, and board relationships.

Experience with event management and  managing seasonal, part-time, or distributed teams.

Passion for local food systems, agriculture, community development, or equitable access to healthy food.

Application Instructions 

Applicants are encouraged to submit their resume and a cover letter summarizing interest in the position and relevant skills and experience to Mackenzie Sehlke at director@bcfm.org. No phone calls please. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the role is filled..

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. Boulder County Farmers Markets is dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and passionate workplace, so if you're excited about this role but you don’t check every box noted above, we encourage you to apply!

Compensation and Benefits 

The salary range is $70,000-$80,000/annually. The compensation package includes a competitive salary, 401k plan and match, workers compensation coverage, earned sick leave, and health coverage. Boulder County Farmers Markets believes in providing employees and applicants with equal employment opportunities. The salary range above represents the low and high end of the range; the actual salary will be determined based on various factors, such as relevant experience. 

Boulder County Farmers Markets believes in providing employees and applicants with equal employment opportunities. We make employment decisions without regard to race, color, gender, age (40 and over), mental or physical disability, religion or religious practices, creed, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression (such as transgender status), ancestry, citizenship, veteran status (other than as permitted by applicable law), pregnancy, genetic characteristics or information (which includes, but is not limited to, genetic test results and family medical history records and which should not be provided to the Company), or any other unlawful consideration. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, training and development, promotion, compensation, transfer, termination, layoff and all other conditions and privileges of employment, all in accordance with applicable laws.