Operations Manager

Organization: Open Heartland
Location: 3 E. Benton St, Iowa City, IA
Employment Type: Full-Time (40 hours/week) – Flexible Hours
Salary: $45,000/year
Reports To: Open Heartland Board of Directors
Start Date: April 1-15, 2026

About Open Heartland

Open Heartland is a nonprofit organization dedicated to building community, connection, and opportunity for immigrant, refugee, and under-resourced families. We provide a welcoming environment where families thrive through programming, volunteer engagement, food access, cultural celebration, and resource sharing.

We center dignity, belonging, and empowerment in everything we do.

We are seeking an Operations Manager who shares our mission and values; a collaborative, organized leader who will keep daily operations running smoothly and ensure that every part of our work consistently supports the families we serve.

Position Summary

The Operations Manager serves as the organizational lead for day-to-day operations while acting as a trusted Community Resource for immigrant and refugee families. This individual ensures that Open Heartland’s programs, partnerships, volunteers, and services operate smoothly and in alignment with our mission.

The Operations Manager builds relationships across the community, connects families to resources, supports volunteers, and serves as the primary liaison between the Leadership Team, Special Program Committees, and the Board of Directors.

We are seeking a collaborative, highly organized leader who understands the strengths, challenges, and resilience of immigrant communities.

Schedule Requirements

Required On-Site Hours:

• Monday: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM

• Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

• Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

• Thursday: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM

• Friday: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Remaining 14 hours: Flexible; must include availability for programs, events, and community meetings.

Key Responsibilities

1. Community Resource & Engagement

• Serve as a welcoming and trusted point of contact for immigrant and refugee families.

• Connect families to community resources, services, and partner organizations.

• Represent Open Heartland at community events and with partner organizations.

• Assist in delivering presentations about Open Heartland to community groups.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with local partners and collaborators.

2. Volunteer Oversight

• Train and support volunteers in alignment with organizational values and safety practices.

• Foster a positive, inclusive, mission-driven volunteer culture.

• Track volunteer hours and engagement metrics.

3. Special Programs Management

• Oversee all special programs, including ESL, Folklórico, Mobile Health Clinics, Women’s Wellness, Teen Mental Health Support, and other emerging initiatives.

• Coordinate program logistics, scheduling, materials, and volunteer support.

• Ensure programs are culturally responsive and community informed.

4. Food Insecurity Program

• Oversee food ordering, packaging, and distribution for families.

• Develop and maintain efficient systems for inventory, ordering, and storage.

• Manage partnerships and reporting requirements with HACAP, Table2Table, Grow Johnson County, and other food access partners.

• Ensure dignity-centered distribution practices.

5.  Events & Community Programming

• Assist in planning and leading major community events (Back to School, Holiday Elves, Children’s Day, etc.).

• Coordinate logistics, volunteers, and budget adherence for events.

• Ensure events reflect the cultural diversity and strengths of the community.

6. Administration & Organizational Leadership

• Serve as the primary liaison between the Leadership Team, Special Program Committees, and the Board of Directors.

• Manage the membership program, track participation, and facilitate feedback surveys.

• Maintain accurate program and participant records.

• Develop and maintain an Open Heartland Procedures Manual to ensure operational continuity.

• Staff and oversee the Tienda, ensuring it remains organized, welcoming, and responsive to community needs.

• Support grant reporting and data tracking.

• Present a monthly summary of operational activities at Board meetings.

• Manage budgets for each program area.

• Track program expenses and ensure spending aligns with Board-approved guidelines.

• Provide financial updates as requested.

Preferred Qualifications

• Significant experience working within immigrant communities. Lived immigrant or refugee experience is highly valued.

• Experience in nonprofit operations, community organizing, or program oversight.

• Bilingual (Spanish preferred) and ability to communicate effectively across cultures and languages.

• Strong organizational and time-management skills.

• Experience coordinating and training volunteers.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities with professionalism and flexibility.

• Experience managing budgets or tracking program expenses.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

• Self-motivated, adaptable, and deeply committed to serving immigrant and refugee communities.

• Comfortable working both independently and collaboratively in a diverse environment.

Benefits

• Paid Time Off (vacation, personal and sick leave)

• Supportive, mission-driven, community-centered work environment

• Opportunities for professional development and leadership growth

• Meaningful work serving immigrant and refugee families