Director of Workplace & Business Operations

Position Summary & Dimensions

Summary

At an exciting time of organizational growth and investment in our core systems and infrastructure, the Director of Workplace & Business Operations is a key strategic leader who ensures that Wilderness Inquiry’s business model, employee experience, systems, and risk posture can support mission‑driven impact and growth. This position leads enterprise‑level business analysis; drives management and continuous improvement of core business and employee engagement processes and systems (including a technology transformation project); and stewards organization‑wide policies, risk management, and compliance. In partnership with the Executive Director and other members of the Directors Leadership Team (DLT), the Director of Workplace & Business Operations will build and grow our business and people systems using financial, culture, and operational data to make clear decisions about program portfolio mix, people systems, pricing, and investments—so that Wilderness Inquiry can deepen our services in the communities we serve, while remaining financially healthy and operationally strong. Dimensions Working Title: Director of Workplace & Business Operations Position Classification: Assistant Director Employment Conditions: Exempt Department/Section: Business Administration Department Classification Range: $99,400 – $128,200 Reports To: Executive Director Supervisory Responsibilities: Finance & Human Resources Manager, Organizational Effectiveness Senior Manager; additional staff and contract resources as growth and budget allows Direct Budget Oversight: Oversight of the operational and capital budget, in collaboration with the Senior Management Team Essential Roles and Responsibilities Responsibility 1: Develop, Implement, & Manage Effective Systems for Budgeting, Financial Reporting, Fiscal Controls, Audits, and Other Business Administration Needs (~30% time) Tasks

• Implement, manage, and improve processes for creating, regularly monitoring, and making quarterly adjustments to the annual organizational budget, working closely with the DLT to ensure all financial needs are met.
• Oversee accounts payable and receivable systems to ensure that all transactions are accurately documented, timely invoiced, and paid.
• Design, train, manage, and audit systems to ensure:
• Compliance with government grants policies and procedures; and
• Timely drawdowns for reimbursable expenditures.
• Liaise with external accounting vendors to produce monthly financial statements, monitor fiscal controls, conduct the annual financial audit, and remedy any financial reporting or fiscal control shortcomings.
• Work across departments to maintain systems for managing program budgets.
• Collaborate with the Board of Directors, Finance Committee, and Wilderness Inquiry Foundation Board to oversee the organizational budget and investments, ensuring availability of proper financial resources while supporting fiscal growth and accountability.

Responsibility 2: Lead Strategic Business & Program Portfolio Analysis (~25% time) Tasks

• Develop and maintain tools and dashboards that provide clear insight into revenue, margin, and cost drivers across Wilderness Inquiry’s programs, adventures, and customer segments.
• Analyze the full programs/adventures portfolio to identify profit leaders, subsidy‑dependent offerings, and key expense drivers; translate findings into clear recommendations for program design, pricing, and resource allocation.
• Partner with organizational leadership to model scenarios for new initiatives (e.g., locations for deepening national engagement, new partnerships, fleet or facility investments), assessing financial sustainability, and managing risk.
• Provide timely, decision‑ready analysis to the Executive Director, Board Finance Committee, and key organizational leaders to inform strategy, growth, and course corrections.
• Work across departments to ensure that reasonable margins will cover fixed and variable costs.

Responsibility 3: Manage and Drive Continuous Improvement of Workplace & Business Processes and Systems, Including Technology Transformation (~25% time) Tasks

• Lead organization‑wide efforts to document, assess, and continuously improve core business processes (e.g., budgeting, trip pricing, contracting, billing, procurement, payroll, reimbursements).
• Serve as executive sponsor for major strategic and systems projects—guiding vendor selection, implementation timelines, change‑management plans, and success metrics.
• Provide strategic leadership for Wilderness Inquiry’s technology transformation from a single enterprise system to integrated, configured platforms (including a new enterprise resource platform, ERP), ensuring systems are right‑sized, interoperable, and aligned with business needs.
• Oversee the management and long‑range planning for Wilderness Inquiry’s facilities and capital assets at headquarters and base camp properties, ensuring that maintenance, upgrades, and capital investments support organizational growth, safety, operational efficiency, accessibility, and financial sustainability.
• Provide executive leadership for human resources and organizational culture, ensuring that HR systems, practices, and processes (e.g., recruitment, onboarding, performance management, compensation/benefits, and staff engagement) are aligned with Wilderness Inquiry’s mission, values, Workplace Community Agreements, and commitments to equity and inclusion.
• In collaboration with department leaders, design and implement training and support so staff can confidently and consistently use new systems and processes.
• Establish and maintain documentation (SOPs, workflows, knowledge bases) that supports operational continuity and reduces key‑person risk.

Responsibility 4: Lead Enterprise Risk Management, Policy Development, and Compliance (~20% time) Tasks

• Maintain and annually update the enterprise risk management framework that identifies, assesses, and monitors key risks across financial, operational, safety, legal/compliance, IT/cybersecurity, and reputational domains.
• Coordinate an annual risk review with the DLT and relevant Board committees, updating the risk register and mitigation plans as programs, geographies, and partnerships evolve.
• Lead development, implementation, and periodic review of organization‑wide policies and procedures (e.g., safety, finance, technology, data privacy, grants management), ensuring alignment with best practices and applicable laws and regulations.
• Provide oversight of human resources policies, practices, and systems (including recruitment, onboarding, performance management, compensation, benefits, and payroll) to ensure legal compliance, alignment with Workplace Community Agreements, consistent application across the organization, and mitigation of people‑related risks.
• Ensure all staff receive timely, role‑appropriate training on critical policies and procedures upon hire and at least annually, in collaboration with human resources and program leadership.
• Oversee organizational insurance coverage (general liability, property, auto/fleet, D&O, cyber, etc.), ensuring appropriate levels of protection, timely renewals, and accurate claims reporting.

Responsibility 5: Embrace Values, Community Agreements and Other Roles/Responsibilities as Assigned Tasks

• Act as the DLT liaison to the Board of Directors’ Finance Committee, Wilderness Inquiry Foundation Board, and support the Executive Committee and Governance Committees as needed.
• Ensure that annual committee work plans are established to address the organization’s highest priorities.
• Ensure timely and effective two-way communication between the committees and DLT.
• Work with the executive assistant to maintain committee schedules, charters, agendas, and meeting minutes.
• Perform all job responsibilities in a manner that centers Wilderness Inquiry values and supports a healthy, safe, and productive work environment for all employees by adhering to Workplace Community Agreements.
• Support organizational special events including Seasonal Staff Training (May & September), Great River Race, Opportunity Fund, Board Meetings, and other in office gatherings.

Please note: These are not intended to encompass all roles and responsibilities of this position; other duties may be assigned at the discretion of the supervisor. Qualifications and RequirementsRequired Qualifications:

• Significant experience (typically 5+ years) in progressively responsible roles in business administration, finance, human resources, operations, or related functions, including at least 3+ years in a leadership or management position.
• Demonstrated experience using financial and operational data to inform strategic decisions, such as portfolio analysis, scenario modeling, or contribution margin analysis across programs, services, or business lines.
• Proven track record leading and managing complex process and systems improvements, including implementation of core business platforms, and managing change across departments.
• Experience overseeing budgeting, financial reporting, fiscal controls, and audits in a nonprofit, public sector, or values‑aligned organization, in partnership with internal teams and/or external vendors.
• Familiarity with enterprise risk management concepts and practice (e.g., developing or maintaining a risk register, leading policy development, managing insurance coverage, or coordinating compliance across functions such as human resources, safety, information technology, and finance).
• Strong people leadership skills, including 3+ years of direct supervisory experience and developing staff, setting priorities, and supporting professional growth in a way that reflects Wilderness Inquiry’s mission and Workplace Community Agreements.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills, with the ability to translate complex information into clear, actionable insights for a variety of stakeholders (e.g., staff, leadership, Board of Directors, and partners).

Desired Qualifications and Characteristics:

• A bachelor’s degree in business, finance, public administration, nonprofit management, or a related field is helpful, but not required. We welcome candidates who bring equivalent knowledge and skills gained through a combination of education, professional, and lived experience.
• Commitment to Wilderness Inquiry’s mission of inclusive outdoor access and alignment with our shared values of paddling together, nurturing inclusion, seeking the exceptional, and finding a way.
• Experience in a nonprofit, social impact, or mission‑driven organization with blended revenue streams (earned, contributed, and government).
• Experience working with a Board of Directors and/or Finance/Executive Committees or similar governance bodies, including preparing materials and presenting financial/operational analysis.
• Excellent computer and database skills. Direct experience with enterprise resource platform (ERP) implementation and/or integration of multiple off‑the‑shelf systems (e.g., finance, CRM, scheduling, HRIS) and the associated change management.
• Knowledge of government grants and contracts administration, including fiscal compliance and reporting requirements.
• Background in enterprise risk management, internal controls, or related fields (e.g., audit, compliance, safety, or insurance) is a strong plus.
• Comfort working in a hybrid environment with cloud‑based tools and platforms.
• A collaborative, solutions‑oriented leadership style that reflects Wilderness Inquiry’s values of intentional inclusion, steady stewardship, and clear, calm guidance.
• Enjoys variety, is willing to “find a way” through complex challenges, and is open to learning new tools and approaches as Wilderness Inquiry grows.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to use a telephone and computer.
• Must possess a legal driver’s license and ability to drive a car, as the position may require off-site meetings with some regularity.
• Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Work Environment: This is a hybrid position that reports to Wilderness Inquiry’s Headquarters in Bloomington, MN. Individuals can expect 3 days in-person each week, with opportunities for remote work when responsibilities allow. Wilderness Inquiry is a Minnesota-based equal opportunity employer and follows all applicable state and federal employment laws. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, gender identity, and sexual orientation), marital status, status with regard to public assistance, disability, age, familial status, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, or protected veteran status. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. Wilderness Inquiry is an equal opportunity employer. Apply tot his job Apply To this Job