Director of Operations
Position Title: Director of Operations
Position Type: Full-Time, Exempt
Salary Range: $95,000–$125,000 annually DOE
Reports To: Executive Director
Location: Cloverdale, CA
Supervises: Administrative, Facilities, HR, Operations, and other assigned staff
About La Familia Sana La Familia Sana is a community-rooted nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening family well-being, community resilience, health equity, and preparedness throughout Northern Sonoma County.
What began as a grassroots effort has evolved into a rapidly growing organization managing multiple public and private funding streams, large-scale community initiatives, capital improvement projects, family resource programming, emergency preparedness efforts, and strategic partnerships across the region.
As we continue to scale, we are seeking an experienced operations leader who can help build the systems, infrastructure, and organizational capacity needed to support sustainable growth while preserving the community-centered values that define our work.
Position Summary
The Director of Operations serves as a key member of the executive leadership team and is responsible for ensuring that La Familia Sana's internal operations, infrastructure, compliance systems, facilities, human resources, technology, risk management, and administrative functions operate efficiently and effectively.
This position translates organizational vision into operational excellence.
The Director of Operations will oversee the systems and structures that allow programs and staff to thrive while ensuring compliance with grant requirements, labor laws, nonprofit regulations, and organizational policies.
The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker, strong people manager, skilled project leader, and systems builder who thrives in fast-paced environments and enjoys creating order from complexity.
Because La Familia Sana is experiencing significant growth, the successful candidate must be comfortable operating in an evolving environment where priorities may shift and new systems may need to be created from the ground up.
Essential Leadership Functions
The Director of Operations is expected to:
- Serve as a strategic thought partner to the Executive Director.
- Oversees Partnerships Manager, Director of Children & Family Services, CHW Supervisor and Health & Housing Specialist
- Build infrastructure that supports organizational growth and sustainability.
- Develop systems that improve efficiency, accountability, communication, and compliance.
- Create operational capacity that allows leadership and program staff to focus on mission delivery.
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, transparency, and continuous improvement.
- Ensure organizational resources are stewarded responsibly and effectively.
Core Responsibilities
Organizational Operations & Administration
Organizational Systems
- Design, implement, and improve operational systems across the organization.
- Develop policies, procedures, workflows, and internal controls.
- Ensure consistency and efficiency across departments.
- Monitor organizational performance metrics and operational outcomes.
- Create systems that support scalability and long-term sustainability.
- Identify operational bottlenecks and implement solutions.
Strategic Planning & Implementation
- Support development and execution of organizational strategic plans.
- Translate strategic goals into actionable work plans.
- Monitor progress toward organizational objectives.
- Coordinate cross-departmental initiatives.
- Lead implementation of operational improvement projects.
Project Management
- Oversee organizational projects from planning through completion.
- Develop timelines, budgets, accountability measures, and implementation plans.
- Ensure projects remain on schedule and within budget.
- Provide regular updates to executive leadership.
Human Resources & People Operations
Human Resources Management
- Lead and oversee all HR systems and processes.
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment regulations.
- Maintain employee records and personnel documentation.
- Manage onboarding and offboarding processes.
- Oversee employee handbook implementation and updates.
- Coordinate leave administration and accommodations.
- Support employee relations and conflict resolution efforts.
Talent Development
- Partner with supervisors to strengthen leadership and management practices.
- Support staff development and training initiatives.
- Create systems that promote accountability and performance.
- Coordinate annual performance evaluations.
- Assist with succession planning and workforce development.
Culture & Employee Engagement
- Foster a positive and inclusive workplace culture.
- Promote organizational values and mission alignment.
- Support employee wellness and retention initiatives.
- Build systems that strengthen communication and collaboration.
Financial Operations & Compliance
Financial Oversight
- Partner with Executive Director and finance staff to monitor organizational finances.
- Support annual budgeting and forecasting processes.
- Monitor expenditures against approved budgets.
- Review financial systems and internal controls.
- Support cash flow planning and operational decision-making.
Grant & Contract Compliance
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, county, foundation, and private grant requirements.
- Support grant reporting and documentation systems.
- Develop systems to track deliverables and contract obligations.
- Monitor compliance requirements across funding streams.
- Prepare documentation for audits and monitoring status.
Risk Management
- Identify operational, financial, legal, and organizational risks.
- Develop risk mitigation strategies.
- Oversee organizational insurance programs.
- Maintain compliance with organizational policies and regulatory requirements.
Facilities & Capital Projects
Works closely with Facilities & Capital Projects Manager to ensure:
Facilities Management
- Oversee maintenance and operations of organizational facilities.
- Ensure compliance with safety, accessibility, and health requirements.
- Manage vendor relationships and service contracts.
- Coordinate repairs and preventative maintenance.
Capital Improvement Projects
- Support facility development and improvement initiatives.
- Oversee project timelines and contractor coordination.
- Monitor project budgets and expenditures.
- Ensure projects align with organizational priorities and funding requirements.
Emergency Preparedness
- Maintain organizational emergency preparedness plans.
- Ensure operational readiness during emergencies.
- Support continuity of operations planning.
Technology & Information Systems
Technology Infrastructure
- Oversee organizational technology systems and platforms.
- Ensure effective use of software and operational tools.
- Support technology upgrades and implementation efforts.
Data Management & Security
- Ensure confidentiality and security of organizational information.
- Develop data management policies and procedures.
- Support HIPAA and privacy-related compliance requirements where applicable.
- Promote best practices in data security and technology use.
Board & Executive Support
Governance Support
- Assist with board committee and governance functions.
- Support preparation of board reports and operational updates.
- Maintain organizational records and compliance documentation.
- Coordinate policy review processes.
Executive Partnership
- Serve as a trusted advisor to the Executive Director.
- Provide operational analysis and recommendations.
- Anticipate challenges and proactively develop solutions.
- Support organizational decision-making through data and operational insight.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible leadership experience.
- Experience managing staff and multidisciplinary teams.
- Experience overseeing organizational operations, compliance, budgets, and systems.
- Strong knowledge of nonprofit management and organizational infrastructure.
- Experience with public funding, grants, contracts, or government-funded programs.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong project management and organizational abilities.
- Advanced proficiency with Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, and cloud-based systems.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in nonprofit executive or senior leadership roles.
- Experience managing First 5, county, state, CAL-Aim or federal funding.
- Human Resources certification or equivalent HR leadership experience.
- Bilingual English/Spanish.
- Experience overseeing facilities, capital projects, or organizational expansion.
- Experience preparing organizations for audits, monitoring visits, and compliance reviews.
Leadership Competencies
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- Strategic thinking
- Operational excellence
- Financial stewardship
- Emotional intelligence
- Strong people management skills
- Sound judgment
- Change management expertise
- Systems thinking
- Accountability and integrity
- Cultural humility
- Adaptability and resilience
Compensation & Benefits
La Familia Sana offers a competitive benefits package including:
- Annual salary of $95,000–$125,000 DOE
- Medical, dental, and vision benefits (subject to eligibility)
- 2 weeks paid vacation annually, accrued throughout the year (1.6 every 40 hours)
- Paid sick leave accrued (1.6 every 40 hours)
- Paid holidays - 26 days a year (closed 2 weeks for end year Holidays)
- Professional development support
- Flexible scheduling when operationally feasible
- Opportunity to help shape the future of a growing regional nonprofit organization
Work Environment & Organizational Growth
La Familia Sana is in a period of significant growth and organizational development. The Director of Operations must be comfortable working in an environment where systems are continually evolving, priorities may shift, and new opportunities emerge regularly.
Success in this role requires flexibility, initiative, strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to lead through ambiguity while helping build the infrastructure necessary for long-term organizational success.
Physical Requirements & Working Conditions
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The Director of Operations will regularly:
- Sit, stand, walk, speak, hear, and use a computer for extended periods.
- Use hands and fingers to operate computers, office equipment, and communication devices.
- Move throughout office, meeting, program, and community event environments.
- Travel locally throughout Sonoma County and surrounding communities as needed.
- Attend occasional evening and weekend meetings, trainings, community events, and organizational activities.
The Director of Operations may occasionally:
- Lift, carry, push, pull, or move materials and supplies weighing up to 30 pounds.
- Assist with event setup and breakdown, including moving tables, chairs, outreach materials, and equipment.
- Access storage areas, facilities, and worksites that may require bending, reaching, kneeling, or climbing stairs.
Work is performed in a variety of settings including office environments, community facilities, schools, partner sites, outdoor locations, and organizational events.
Other Duties
The Director of Operations is expected to coordinate with the Executive Director, legal counsel, payroll providers, auditors, insurance brokers, and other outside professionals as appropriate on employment, compliance, risk management, financial, and organizational policy matters. This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, or qualifications. Additional duties may be assigned as organizational needs evolve.
Application Deadline: Open Until Filled. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply early, as interviews may begin before the position closes. La Familia Sana is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace that reflects the communities we serve.
Employment may be subject to legally compliant reference checks and any other legally permitted post-offer screening required for the position.
La Familia Sana is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace that reflects the communities we serve.