Senior Manager of Operations and People

About the Role

The Center for Ecoliteracy is looking for a Senior Manager of Operations and People to join their dedicated team composed of educators, food system experts, advocates, and parents. This position is focused on overseeing the daily operational and administrative needs of the organization, ensuring smooth functioning and sustained growth. The role balances strategic insight with practical execution by addressing operational challenges, supporting staff, refining processes, and fostering an environment conducive to the organization's mission.

Reporting to the Director of Strategy and Innovation, the incoming manager will collaborate closely with the retiring Deputy Director of Finance and Operations during onboarding to ensure knowledge transfer and maintain operational continuity. This is a full-time exempt role based in Berkeley, California, with a hybrid work schedule.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage daily operations to ensure organizational efficiency and alignment with core values.
• Preemptively identify and mitigate operational risks, improve workflows, and develop scalable systems.
• Manage vendor relationships, including IT, payroll, benefits, insurance, and facilities, maintaining consistent and responsive service delivery.
• Create, document, and refine organizational policies, procedures, and internal systems for clarity and effectiveness.
• Oversee contract administration, tracking agreements and renewals systematically.
• Collaborate with executive leadership on operational planning, capacity development, and risk management, providing proactive solutions.
• Maintain and support the organization's technology infrastructure, including hardware, software, and IT vendor coordination.
• Lead comprehensive human resources functions: recruitment, onboarding, performance management, and offboarding.
• Serve as primary HR contact, managing HR vendors, updating the employee handbook, and interpreting policies consistently and empathetically.
• Administer benefits, coordinate payroll, track leaves, and ensure compliance with federal and California employment laws.
• Support leadership in fostering an inclusive, collaborative, and mission-driven workplace culture.
• Organize and facilitate staff professional development and learning initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with employment laws, nonprofit regulations, grant requirements, insurance policies, and internal standards.
• Coordinate recurring filings, certifications, renewals, and reports in partnership with finance to prepare for audits and reviews.
• Strengthen organizational systems and decision-making alongside executive teams to promote long-term health.
• Collaborate with finance on payroll administration, budget preparation, forecasting, and operational planning, maintaining delineated responsibilities.
• Conduct a thorough transition period shadowing the retiring Deputy Director to absorb existing practices, followed by evaluating and improving systems for modernization and simplification.

About the Organization

The Center for Ecoliteracy is a nonprofit dedicated to transforming education through school food programs. For over 30 years, it has partnered with school districts and educators to promote fresh, locally-sourced meals and educate students on connections among food, culture, health, and the environment. Located in the David Brower Center in Berkeley, the organization operates on a hybrid schedule requiring in-office presence on Tuesdays and Thursdays and remote work on other weekdays, with occasional travel within California.

Culture and Commitment

This organization values integrity, high professional standards, and successful collaboration with diverse stakeholders. It emphasizes equity and inclusion in its internal culture and program efforts, fostering a cooperative environment characterized by flexibility, resilience, optimism, curiosity, and shared purpose. The Center is committed to racial and social justice, actively working to address systemic inequities affecting education and food systems.

Compensation and Benefits

The position offers a salary ranging from $90,000 to $105,000 annually, depending on experience, inclusive of a comprehensive benefits package. Detailed benefits information is available upon request.

Application Process

Qualified candidates are encouraged to submit a resume and a tailored cover letter highlighting relevant career experience and contributions to workplace culture. Applications will undergo review with interviews scheduled in July and August 2026.

Equal Opportunity

The Center for Ecoliteracy is an Equal Opportunity Employer, welcoming applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, age, veteran status, or disability.