Operations Director
Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, Winona, MN, United States
Overview
OPERATIONS DIRECTOR
— Frozen River Film Festival (FRFF) is seeking a visionary leader to oversee operations and contribute to the organization’s festival, educational programming, and community initiatives in Winona, MN.
FRFF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit presenting an annual winter all-documentary film festival and year-round programs. We celebrate our 21st anniversary and aim to inspire curiosity, connection, and community through film and filmmaking.
Location: Winona, MN. Modality: In person with some exceptions.
Application To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume to
apply@frff.org . Application reviews begin after March 6, 2026. For questions, please reach out.
Compensation This is a 1099 contracted position. Total compensation is $38,000 annually, paid every two weeks (or monthly/quarterly by negotiation). Weekly workload is 30–35 hours, with heavier weeks around the annual winter festival (January). Some night and weekend work is required for screenings and events.
Responsibilities and Structure The Operations Director (OD) is one of two contracted staff members and handles responsibilities in several areas: Board Governance, Organizational Mission & Strategy, Event Implementation, Financial Reporting, Marketing & Social Media, Grant Writing, Community & Public Relations, and Personnel Management. The OD oversees volunteers and contractors, aligns activities with FRFF’s mission, and supports budgeting with the Board and Grant Writer.
FRFF is undergoing organizational revision and has a new building, enabling expanded programming. The ideal candidate will drive program development, grant writing, stakeholder engagement, and cross-functional leadership.
Duties & Responsibilities
Board Governance (10% Time):
Prepare a monthly Operations Director report for board meetings
Prepare a monthly board meeting agenda template
Schedule monthly committee and board meetings and set up Zoom links
Serve as point person for FRFF Google account; manage emails and permissions
Update FRFF website; attend committee meetings
Other duties as assigned
Organizational Mission & Strategy + Event Implementation (30% Time):
Implement programs aligned with FRFF’s mission, including:
Annual winter festival in Winona, MN
Off-season screenings (approximately 4 per year, budget-dependent)
Educational camps for kids (typically 2–3 weeks each summer)
Subcomponents include poster/program design, block schedule development, volunteer recruitment/training, cue card development, and equipment logistics
Coordinate setup and teardown of equipment for screenings and events
Organize and oversee off-season screenings
Other duties as assigned
Strategic Planning
Collaborate with Board and staff to fulfill FRFF’s mission
Assist Board with annual retreat planning and materials
Implement Mission, Vision, and Strategy in public materials
Support grant planning and alignment with programming
Other duties as assigned
Financial Management + Reporting (20% Time):
Prepare monthly Finance Director report for board meetings
Prepare monthly financial documents (cash flow, dashboard, etc.)
Maintain monthly balance sheets for all accounts
Create quarterly financial projections for the board
Attend finance/development committee and full board meetings
Pay bills, process payrolls for contractors and employees
Other duties as assigned
Prepare and file annual 990 with the accounting firm; manage taxes
Marketing & Social Media (5% Time):
Plan and implement social media campaigns to support screenings
Direct work of Marketing Associates/Interns; maintain posting schedule
Grow social channels and engage audiences
Coordinate poster program delivery in December/January for the winter festival
Grant Writing (20% Time):
Plan, write, and submit grant opportunities; adhere to guidelines
Develop narratives and revisions; coordinate with Grant Writer
Align grants with programming; manage submission schedules
Other duties as assigned
Community + Public Relations Duties (5% Time):
Establish and maintain relationships with other festivals and film arts organizations
Establish partnerships with aligned organizations; explore collaborations
Enhance FRFF’s image through active community presence
Collaborate with local and regional organizations to strengthen the Winona arts community
Other duties as assigned
Personnel Management (10% Time):
Oversee staffing for the winter festival and off-season events
Recruit and train volunteers for events
Recruit and hire interns for fall, spring, and summer terms
Manage contractor LOAs and board-approved contracts
Other duties as assigned
Potential Yearly Division of Labor The OD spends fall/winter on festival execution; post-festival, reconciles the festival and prepares the next fiscal year budget. Summer and early fall focus on groundwork for the next festival, community engagement, and grant work.
September – February: Board Governance 5%, Mission & Strategy 5%, Event Implementation 30%, Financial Management 10%, Marketing 10%, Grant Writing 5%, Community Relations 10%, Personnel Management 25%
March – August: Board Governance 5%, Mission & Strategy 10%, Event Implementation 10%, Financial Management 20%, Marketing 5%, Grant Writing 25%, Community Relations 20%, Personnel Management 5%
Qualifications Preferred Qualifications
2+ years nonprofit management
2+ years fund development and donor stewardship experience
2+ years personnel management experience
2+ years event management experience
Budget creation and management experience
Understanding of marketing and strategic planning; grant writing and reporting experience
Required Qualifications
Strong written and verbal skills
Must have own transportation
Must be able to lift 30 lbs.
Cooperative collaborator
Skills
Attention to detail
Self-motivation and initiative
Follow-through and accountability
Project management
Interpersonal communication
Multi-tasking
Creative and critical thinking
Consensus building
Personnel management and conflict resolution
Public speaking
Creative problem-solving
Benefits
Flexible schedule
Flexible workspace
8 paid days off – holidays
#J-18808-Ljbffr
— Frozen River Film Festival (FRFF) is seeking a visionary leader to oversee operations and contribute to the organization’s festival, educational programming, and community initiatives in Winona, MN.
FRFF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit presenting an annual winter all-documentary film festival and year-round programs. We celebrate our 21st anniversary and aim to inspire curiosity, connection, and community through film and filmmaking.
Location: Winona, MN. Modality: In person with some exceptions.
Application To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume to
apply@frff.org . Application reviews begin after March 6, 2026. For questions, please reach out.
Compensation This is a 1099 contracted position. Total compensation is $38,000 annually, paid every two weeks (or monthly/quarterly by negotiation). Weekly workload is 30–35 hours, with heavier weeks around the annual winter festival (January). Some night and weekend work is required for screenings and events.
Responsibilities and Structure The Operations Director (OD) is one of two contracted staff members and handles responsibilities in several areas: Board Governance, Organizational Mission & Strategy, Event Implementation, Financial Reporting, Marketing & Social Media, Grant Writing, Community & Public Relations, and Personnel Management. The OD oversees volunteers and contractors, aligns activities with FRFF’s mission, and supports budgeting with the Board and Grant Writer.
FRFF is undergoing organizational revision and has a new building, enabling expanded programming. The ideal candidate will drive program development, grant writing, stakeholder engagement, and cross-functional leadership.
Duties & Responsibilities
Board Governance (10% Time):
Prepare a monthly Operations Director report for board meetings
Prepare a monthly board meeting agenda template
Schedule monthly committee and board meetings and set up Zoom links
Serve as point person for FRFF Google account; manage emails and permissions
Update FRFF website; attend committee meetings
Other duties as assigned
Organizational Mission & Strategy + Event Implementation (30% Time):
Implement programs aligned with FRFF’s mission, including:
Annual winter festival in Winona, MN
Off-season screenings (approximately 4 per year, budget-dependent)
Educational camps for kids (typically 2–3 weeks each summer)
Subcomponents include poster/program design, block schedule development, volunteer recruitment/training, cue card development, and equipment logistics
Coordinate setup and teardown of equipment for screenings and events
Organize and oversee off-season screenings
Other duties as assigned
Strategic Planning
Collaborate with Board and staff to fulfill FRFF’s mission
Assist Board with annual retreat planning and materials
Implement Mission, Vision, and Strategy in public materials
Support grant planning and alignment with programming
Other duties as assigned
Financial Management + Reporting (20% Time):
Prepare monthly Finance Director report for board meetings
Prepare monthly financial documents (cash flow, dashboard, etc.)
Maintain monthly balance sheets for all accounts
Create quarterly financial projections for the board
Attend finance/development committee and full board meetings
Pay bills, process payrolls for contractors and employees
Other duties as assigned
Prepare and file annual 990 with the accounting firm; manage taxes
Marketing & Social Media (5% Time):
Plan and implement social media campaigns to support screenings
Direct work of Marketing Associates/Interns; maintain posting schedule
Grow social channels and engage audiences
Coordinate poster program delivery in December/January for the winter festival
Grant Writing (20% Time):
Plan, write, and submit grant opportunities; adhere to guidelines
Develop narratives and revisions; coordinate with Grant Writer
Align grants with programming; manage submission schedules
Other duties as assigned
Community + Public Relations Duties (5% Time):
Establish and maintain relationships with other festivals and film arts organizations
Establish partnerships with aligned organizations; explore collaborations
Enhance FRFF’s image through active community presence
Collaborate with local and regional organizations to strengthen the Winona arts community
Other duties as assigned
Personnel Management (10% Time):
Oversee staffing for the winter festival and off-season events
Recruit and train volunteers for events
Recruit and hire interns for fall, spring, and summer terms
Manage contractor LOAs and board-approved contracts
Other duties as assigned
Potential Yearly Division of Labor The OD spends fall/winter on festival execution; post-festival, reconciles the festival and prepares the next fiscal year budget. Summer and early fall focus on groundwork for the next festival, community engagement, and grant work.
September – February: Board Governance 5%, Mission & Strategy 5%, Event Implementation 30%, Financial Management 10%, Marketing 10%, Grant Writing 5%, Community Relations 10%, Personnel Management 25%
March – August: Board Governance 5%, Mission & Strategy 10%, Event Implementation 10%, Financial Management 20%, Marketing 5%, Grant Writing 25%, Community Relations 20%, Personnel Management 5%
Qualifications Preferred Qualifications
2+ years nonprofit management
2+ years fund development and donor stewardship experience
2+ years personnel management experience
2+ years event management experience
Budget creation and management experience
Understanding of marketing and strategic planning; grant writing and reporting experience
Required Qualifications
Strong written and verbal skills
Must have own transportation
Must be able to lift 30 lbs.
Cooperative collaborator
Skills
Attention to detail
Self-motivation and initiative
Follow-through and accountability
Project management
Interpersonal communication
Multi-tasking
Creative and critical thinking
Consensus building
Personnel management and conflict resolution
Public speaking
Creative problem-solving
Benefits
Flexible schedule
Flexible workspace
8 paid days off – holidays
#J-18808-Ljbffr