Title: Director of Operations 

Pay: $35 - $40/hr (20 hours/wk) 

Position Type: Part-Time Employee with Benefits

Location: Must live in Hawaiʻi, meets in-person and virtually

 

Who We Are: Since 2016, Wisdom Circles Oceania (WCO) has been a catalyst for healing and justice through creative expression. Our vision is rooted in creating restorative environments that center collaboration, creativity, and ʻāina to improve the quality of life for Hawaiʻi’s communities.

 

WCO builds community power by fostering a community of care that amplifies youth voices, supports community workers, and provides accessible creative spaces for all ages. We prioritize inclusivity, especially for LGBTQIA+, Foster, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander youth, ensuring accessibility for all abilities.

 

Through youth programs on Maui and Oʻahu, we provide hands-on opportunities for community organizing, cultural connection, and creative expression. Our intergenerational work fosters co-creation across generations, contributing to building a more inclusive, resilient, and empowered Hawaiʻi. Together, we strive to inspire positive systems change and cultivate a deeper sense of safety, understanding, and collective well-being. 

 

 

Programs

• Story Quilt Youth Arts provides young people arts + ʻāina based techniques to strengthen mental health, build resilience, and empower themselves.

• The Creative Community Workers/Community of Care program provides service providers in education and Maui fire relief efforts with strategies to manage stress, promote well-being and inspire their work. 

• The ‘Ōpio Protectors Network centers the needs and feedback of BIPOC and LGBTQ+ to create safer program spaces, where we contribute through restorative arts + ʻāina programming. 

 

 

About the Position:
The Director of Operations will provide leadership and oversight for essential organizational functions that keep our programs running effectively, including Operations Management, Fund Development, Budgeting, Compliance, Program Evaluation, and Research. This role is critical in helping us meet increasing program demand while ensuring our story is shared meaningfully. Key responsibilities include overseeing financial management, supporting HR and team development, leading program assessment, and managing data. 

 

At Wisdom Circles Oceania, we embrace a collaborative, leaderful structure, encouraging team members to take ownership of their skills and responsibilities while supporting and collaborating with one another to meet needs effectively. As a startup nonprofit transitioning into greater stability and sustainability, this role is pivotal in bridging that growth while maintaining our dynamic, creative approach to community programming. 

 

Values/personal characteristics: 

At the heart of our work lies a commitment to aloha ʻāina, the arts, youth development, and addressing the unique needs of Hawaiʻi’s local communities. These values guide our approach with our personal development and our organizational work.

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• Pilina: We prioritize building meaningful relationships and reciprocity with our team, youth, and communities. These connections are the foundation of trust, collaboration, and shared growth. 

• Integrity: We embody honesty, transparency, and follow-through, staying true to our gifts and purpose. We strive for excellence, aligning our actions with our values and committing to the discovery and actualization of our potential. Kūlia i ka nuʻu—strive for the summit.  

• Personal Practice: We believe a healthy internal environment is essential for creating lasting external impact. By fostering balance and resilience within our team and communities, we support meaningful, sustainable change. We each take responsibility for maintaining a personal care practice.

• Aloha ʻĀina is our commitment to love, care for, and protect Hawaiʻi’s lands, waters, and peoples. Rooted in Kānaka Maoli perspectives, stories, protocols, and connections that foster community healing and sovereignty. We honor the voices and lived experiences of those we serve, ensuring our work reflects respect for ʻāina and the cultural relationships that sustain them. 

• Diversity + Collaboration: We value co-creation and accessibility, striving to meet the diverse needs of local families and youth. By working together, we create convergent solutions that empower, inspire, and meet the needs of the whole. 

• Mālama + Empathy: Addressing Hawaiʻi’s unique challenges requires deep understanding and care, especially for the next generation. We strive to approach our work and each other with compassion, deep listening and respect for all perspectives.

• Reflection + Emergence: We take our time to reassess direction in accordance with emerging needs and ideas. We value flexibility and remaining responsive to the evolving needs of our community.

 

 

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

 

Organizational Infrastructure and Leadership:

• Provide leadership for Operations, Funds Development, Budgeting & Finance, Non-profit Compliance, and Research and Evaluation, working with the Director to align with organizational values.

• Develop strategic financial goals, ensure financial management and compliance.

• Maintain consistent quality and access to operational functions; recommend timelines and resources for goals that reflect collective input and emerging needs.

• Oversee financial reviews/audits and prepare state and federal reports.

• Support calendar and file management to ensure smooth, coordinated operations across all levels of the team. 

 

Financial Management and Development:

• Implement and manage the annual fundraising plan.

• Conduct research for comprehensive fund development.

• Lead administrative aspects of individual giving, corporate giving, and grants management.

• Oversee new research and applications for grants.

• Oversee grants and funds reports including an annual report. 

• Oversee accounting support and ensure financial compliance.

• Manage budgets and financial reports.

• Maintain records and with nonprofit compliance, and other industry-specific regulations.

 

Team Development and Support:

• Ensure team members have necessary resources they need to succeed while fostering a supportive, connected environment.

• Maintain check-ins, and hold office hours for questions, approvals, and guidance for mutual accountability.

• Support HR Compliance including oversight of policies and procedures for onboarding, offboarding, review cycles, and professional development.

• Provide updates to the Board of Directors on financial operations.

• Manage + support Admin team members in their role.

 

Programs and Operational Procedures:

• Develop and maintain operational policies and procedures, files, and systems.

• Collaborate with leadership, and support team task management.

• Oversee and refine data collection and assessment processes to align with program and funding goals.

 

Qualifications:

• 3+ years in a nonprofit related senior leadership position; grassroots/startup experience preferred.

• 4+ years working in Hawaiʻi with Native Hawaiian + local communities preferred. 

• Proven leadership skills in motivating management-level teams.

• Demonstrated experience in organizational/resource development, and financial/budget administration.

• Proficiency in data analysis and storytelling.

• Highly organized, able to coordinate multiple projects, and manage timelines.

• Commitment to continuous learning and improvement.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to prioritize and align work with organizational needs.

• Strong commitment to the organization’s mission, vision, and values.

 

Benefits:

• Competitive wage ($35-$40/hr based on experience)

• Medical

• Flexible PTO (vacation, sick, holidays)

• Monthly Wellness Stipend

• Professional development and leadership opportunities

• Flexible schedule, with remote and in-person flexibility (Select weekends may be needed on a case-by-case basis.)

 

Initial Evaluation Period:

Giving and receiving feedback for ongoing learning is important to us.  Space to share what's working and what's not is made at regular team meetings.  A 90 calendar-day/3-month review meeting will be held to ensure a mutually agreeable fit. An annual review meeting will be held to celebrate successes and discuss development goals and future opportunities.

 

*Please note, We are a growing nonprofit. We will adjust the workload to fit part-time hours and value well-being to prevent burnout. You will participate in developing and envisioning a healthier nonprofit structure and what that means for this role and the organization's culture.

 

How to Apply:

Wisdom Circles Oceania is an Equal Opportunity employer. Personnel are chosen based on ability without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, marital status, or sexual orientation, in accordance with state and federal law.

 

If you’re interested, please submit the following as a single document to aloha@wisdomcircles.org with the subject line “Application for Director of Operations”:

 

1. Your resume or a document listing your relevant experience.

2. A cover letter including the following:

   1. Your nonprofit operations and fund development experience.

   2. Your approach to improving existing systems.

   3. Why you are interested in this position.

   4. How this work could contribute to your well-being. 

 

We look forward to receiving your application. Please note we will not be responding to submissions or conducting interviews until January 2025. Mahalo for your patience. Candidates who best match the position will go through a multi-step interview process to ensure a mutual fit. Applications will only be considered if you have at least 3 years of experience in a related role within a nonprofit organization, with experience working in Hawai’i.  

 

Mahalo nui!