Operations Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Position Title: Operations Manager

Position Level: Manager

Reports to: President + CEO

Status: Salary, Exempt, Full-Time, 40 hours

Hiring Range: $44,000 - $47,000

Prepared Date: September, 2026

About WMCAT

The West Michigan Center for Arts + Technology (WMCAT) provides a culture of opportunity for people to make social and economic progress in their lives and community. We fulfill our mission through visual arts and tech engagement and workforce development.

Position Summary

The Operations Manager is an integral member of the team, leveraging systems and cross-organizational coordination to advance WMCAT's mission-based programming and community-facing work. This position manages WMCAT's internal operations — technology liaison and asset management, facilities, financial support (data entry, and trained backup payroll processing), and human resources support — while providing backup front-desk coverage for the Administrative Associate.

The ideal candidate brings curiosity, initiative, and a systems mindset to our operations, and thrives in a collaborative environment that advances WMCAT's mission of providing equitable access to opportunity.

Essential Duties + Responsibilities

Operations

• Coordinate daily administrative and operational activities across departments, supporting program teams with logistics, reporting, and compliance needs.
• Develop and implement systems to improve workflows and cross-organizational communication.
• Manage relationships with vendors and contractors.
• Create and maintain a welcoming environment for students, families, guests, and staff.
• Provide backup to the Administrative Associate by covering times away from the front desk.

Technology

• Serve as the primary point of contact for technology needs experienced by students and staff, managing the relationship with WMCAT's external IT partner (troubleshoot basic issues internally and escalate more complex needs as appropriate).
• Order, inventory, and maintain hardware and software across the organization, including documentation of IT assets and user access credentials.
• Ensure systems remain updated and secure, including antivirus protection and software patches.
• Collaborate with President + CEO to operationalize AI at WMCAT, including use-case identification, ethical and human-centered guardrails, and platform standards.

Facilities

• Serve as an escalation point for facility needs beyond the Administrative Associate's day-to-day scope.
• Manage facilities-related vendor relationships, contracts and standards.

Human Resources

• Support the hiring process, including posting positions in the talent management software, scheduling candidate interviews, and providing structure and support to hiring managers throughout onboarding and offboarding.
• Coordinate timeline and process for the performance review cycle in collaboration with the President + CEO.
• Administer employee benefits, including facilitating open enrollment.
• Foster a positive and inclusive workplace culture in partnership with the President + CEO.
• Ensure compliance with employment laws and nonprofit standards.

Accounting

• Serve as a trained backup for data entry and payroll processing, when primary coverage is unavailable.
• Support annual audit and coordinate with WMCAT’s financial partners.

WMCAT Mission + Organizational Expectations

• Maintain a commitment to the mission and vision of WMCAT. 
• Demonstrate a willingness and desire to grow professionally, learn new skills, and contribute to a culture of inclusivity and equity. 
• Represent WMCAT at occasional designated events throughout the year, which may occur outside of standard scheduled hours.
• Desire to align with WMCAT’s values (listed below).

Requirements

Preferred Experiences + Skills

Could include some of the following:

• Experience managing relationships with vendors or contractors. 
• Basic technology troubleshooting skills and comfort supporting others with tech issues.
• Experience with HR functions such as recruitment, onboarding, or benefits administration.
• Comfort with, or willingness to be trained in, payroll processing procedures. 
• Strong proficiency in working with computers and various software systems, including but not limited to Microsoft Office suite and QuickBooks Online. 
• Comfort working both independently and collaboratively in a mission-driven environment. 
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks and maximize efficiency. 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills to connect with a diverse group of people. 
• Ability to communicate in Spanish is a plus. 

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to handle, or feel, and is frequently required to talk or hear. The employee regularly is required to sit, walk, stand, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, climb or crouch. The employee must frequently lift and/or move from 10-25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and ability to adjust focus.

Additional Details:

Recognizing there is leadership in every community, WMCAT is seeking candidates with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences. We are dedicated to hiring employees that reflect the communities we serve across race, gender, sexual orientation, ability, and socioeconomic status. No person shall be excluded from WMCAT services, employment or volunteer participation because of ethnicity, race, national origin, age, height, weight, genetic status, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, economic circumstance, veteran status, physical and/or mental abilities/characteristics, philosophy/religion, or any other status that is protected by State of Michigan or federal law or by local ordinance for those jurisdictions where WMCAT operates.

WMCAT’s Values

• Design for Equity: Creating a world that works for all of us. Rooted in an understanding that systemic oppression is perpetuated by design, we center marginalized voices, consciously co-create solutions, and challenge unjust systems to provide equitable access to opportunity.
• Pursue Learning: Engaging the experiences and expertise around us. Acknowledging that we never “arrive” in our understanding, we engage each other, ourselves, and our community with curiosity and appreciation for diverse lived experiences, seeking out new ideas, more robust context, and opportunities for growth. 
• Build Community: Curating belonging for collective good. Grounded in the belief that our humanity, prosperity and futures are interconnected, we intentionally create space for belonging, build authentic relationships, seek partnership in our collective work, and respect our shared context. 
• Center People: Leading with empathy. Guided by the mindsets of equitable human-centered design, we seek the perspectives of and create solutions with those most affected, embracing the inherent value of each individual and prioritizing whole-person thriving. 

Transportation: Consistent personal transportation will be necessary.

In-person, full-time at WMCAT: This position is in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The candidate should be comfortable working in-person as responsibilities necessitate, with flexibility for remote work at other times. WMCAT's regular office hours are Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.  

Benefits

Pay:  Compensation within the listed hiring range is based on experience and nonprofit industry standards. Competitive benefits package provided, including:  

• 15 days of PTO  

• 15 paid holidays  

• Birthday day off  

• Half-day Fridays during the summer  

• Simple IRA with employer match of up to 3%  

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental, and Vision), premium 65% (average) paid by employer  

• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary, and AD&D)  

• Paid Family Leave  

• Professional development and opportunities for personal growth 

Resume and cover letter are required for application. Resumes will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning October 2, 2026 until candidates are identified. Interviews will begin October 12, 2026. Candidates invited to interview for the position will be asked to provide a writing sample.