Operations Director

ABOUT MAINE NEEDS

Maine Needs is a community-centered nonprofit dedicated to providing critical resources through community building. Serving all 16 Maine counties, we mobilize a large and growing volunteer base to deliver essential goods and support to individuals and families statewide. We are a growing organization with a lean, passionate team and deep roots in the communities we serve.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Operations Director is the organizational backbone of Maine Needs. At the scale Maine Needs operates — coordinating thousands of volunteers, managing statewide logistics, and overseeing programs across 16 counties — this role requires both the strategic vision to build systems and the operational discipline to execute them. Working in close partnership with the Executive Director, the Operations Director ensures that programs run smoothly, staff are supported, volunteers are effectively deployed, and the facility and logistics infrastructure are functioning at the level the mission demands. This is a senior leadership role for someone who finds deep satisfaction in building the systems that allow a community-centered organization to thrive at scale.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Oversight: Ensures the effective day-to-day implementation of Maine Needs programs across all service areas and counties. Identifies operational gaps, develops scalable solutions, and works across teams to maintain consistent, high-quality service delivery statewide. Staff Management: Directly supervises the Volunteer Program Manager, Material Resource Officer and Provider Liaison. Conducts regular check‑ins, sets clear performance expectations, and fosters a culture of accountability, equity, and care across the operations team. Volunteer Program Oversight: Partners with the Volunteer Program Manager to oversee the coordination and deployment of a large and growing volunteer base. Ensures volunteer capacity aligns with program demand, that shift coverage is reliable statewide, and that Maine Needs maintains an inclusive, welcoming volunteer culture that brings people back year after year. Human Resources and Policy: Manages HR functions including onboarding, staff communications, policy development and implementation, and compliance. Serves as the primary point of contact for internal HR matters and ensures all staff have the support, clarity, and resources they need to do their best work. Facility Management: Oversees the physical operations of the Maine Needs facility — cleanliness, safety, organization, and functionality. Coordinates maintenance, vendor relationships, and facility needs in alignment with program requirements and organizational growth. Delivery Logistics: Manages the planning, coordination, and execution of all delivery operations statewide. Oversees scheduling, routing, volunteer and staff deployment, and ensures reliable, efficient distribution of resources to individuals and families across all 16 Maine counties. Resource and Inventory Oversight: Works in close collaboration with the Material Resource Officer on procurement, inventory management, and resource planning. Ensures the organization maintains adequate supply levels to meet statewide demand, and that resources are allocated equitably across service areas. Organizational Systems and Scaling: Builds, evaluates, and continuously improves the operational systems that allow Maine Needs to function effectively at scale. Identifies opportunities to increase efficiency, expand reach, and reduce friction across programs, logistics, and volunteer operations. Reporting and Collaboration: Reports to and collaborates closely with the Executive Director. Works in active partnership with the Director of Marketing and Development on volunteer and program messaging, and with the Finance Manager on budget tracking and resource allocation.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

5–8 years of experience in nonprofit operations, program management, logistics, or a related field Demonstrated experience managing large-scale volunteer programs or community mobilization efforts Proven ability to build and supervise high-performing teams across multiple functions Strong organizational and systems‑thinking skills — comfortable managing complexity at scale Experience with statewide or multi‑site operations strongly preferred Familiarity with HR functions in a nonprofit environment Experience with delivery logistics, supply chain, or inventory management a plus Deep commitment to equity, community, and the mission of Maine Needs Primarily on‑site in Portland with statewide travel as needed

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Salary: $78,000 Monday – Friday, 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM 21 Paid Holidays 15 Days PTO 12‑Week Family Leave Monthly Wellness Stipend A collaborative, mission‑driven leadership team and the opportunity to build systems that matter At Maine Needs we believe that taking care of our community every day begins with taking care of our staff — paying them market value for their efforts and offering built‑in respite to step away from this work. This cultivates work‑life balance, encourages self‑care, and has a ripple effect felt across the organization, fostering a positive culture that volunteers and staff want to be part of.

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

Programs run reliably across all 16 counties. Volunteers show up, feel valued, and come back. Staff are clear on their roles, supported in their work, and proud of what Maine Needs delivers. Logistics are smooth, inventory is stocked, and nothing falls through the cracks. The Executive Director can focus on mission and relationships because operations are in strong, capable hands.

TO APPLY

Please send your resume and cover letter to View email address on click.appcast.io describing why Maine Needs’ mission resonates with you. Include the contact information for three professional references with your application. In the body of the email, include answers to the following questions:

1. If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?
2. What service, program, or organization doesn't exist but should?
3. What is a universal need?

Maine Needs is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive team that reflects the communities we support. #J-18808-Ljbffr Maine Tasting Center