Position description 

Great MN Schools seeks a Senior Manager, Finance & Operations to oversee the organization’s finance, operations, and human resources functions. This role ensures Great MN Schools operates efficiently and effectively in service of our mission by managing a $4.5M budget, optimizing systems across finance, HR, compliance, and technology, and supporting board governance. Reporting to the VP of Community Engagement and Operations and partnering closely with the CEO, this multifaceted leader fosters a collaborative work environment and manages day-to-day operational and financial matters. This is a supervisory role that will manage the Operations Coordinator. Financial management is the primary responsibility of this role (approximately 45%), with demonstrated experience in finance needed. The remaining responsibilities span operational management (30%, including supervision of one team member) and HR functions (25%), offering opportunities to develop additional skills with organizational support. Key activities for the Senior Manager, Finance & Operations include:

FINANCE

• Budget development and oversight: Lead the development and management of the organization’s annual budget, including expense tracking, cash flow management, budget forecasting and reporting, and multi-year financial projections
• Board financial reporting: Support quarterly Finance Committee meetings and prepare comprehensive financial reports and materials for Board of Directors review
• Accounting operations: Manage the monthly reconciliation (via our external partner) and financial reporting processes
• Financial transactions and contracts: Oversee accounts payable, accounts receivable, and contract/grant tracking (both received and issued)
• Audit and compliance: Serve as liaison with the board treasurer, external accountant, and auditors for annual audits and 990 submissions. Ensure compliance with financial policies and facilitate updates as needed
• Payroll administration: Review and prepare monthly payroll for CEO approval

OPERATIONS & PROJECT MANAGEMENT

• Board governance support: Partner with the CEO to manage Board of Directors operations (and subcommittees), including preparing packets and materials, maintaining the board calendar and organizational policies, and coordinating meeting logistics for board and committee meetings
• Infrastructure and technology management: Oversee the organization’s operational infrastructure, including facility management, vendor relationships, and technology systems (Salesforce CRM, Bill.com management for the team, communications platforms, and organizational software subscriptions)
• Organizational coordination and policies: Serve as the primary point person for team policies and operational procedures, proactively communicating with all team members, tracking deadlines, and ensuring timely completion of organizational requirements and deliverables

HUMAN RESOURCES

• Benefits administration: Lead the annual benefits renewal process and serve as the primary resource for team members navigating benefits, HR policies, or workplace concerns
• Compensation management: Ensure adherence to the organization’s compensation policy by monitoring compliance, conducting compensation benchmarking audits, and recommending updates as needed
• Talent management: Manage the complete employee lifecycle, including recruitment, hiring, onboarding, professional development planning, and employee exits
• Policy and compliance: Maintain current organizational policies and manage renewals for nonprofit insurance, workers’ compensation, and other required coverage

SUPPORT TEAM CULTURE AND PERFORMANCE

• Team culture and development: foster a collaborative team environment by organizing teamwide professional development opportunities, planning annual retreats and team-building activities, and supporting the Operations Coordinator in coordinating weekly team meetings
• Performance management: Lead the annual performance management process; provide support to managers who are facilitating goal-setting and leading performance reviews with individual team members
• Operational improvement: Identify and implement opportunities to enhance team operations and culture through process improvements, new tools, or system enhancements
• DEI support: Support the organization’s diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives as directed by leadership

QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate has 5-7 years of professional experience in finance and operations. The successful candidate is highly detail-oriented, excels at managing competing priorities, will react with flexibility when problem solving is needed, and thrives in collaborative team environments. They are passionate about educational equity in Minneapolis and bring a diversity, equity, and inclusion lens to all aspects of their work.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE 

• Finance: Experience managing and responsibility for financial systems for a business or nonprofit organization, including budget development, forecasting, expense and cash flow management, financial reporting, accounts payable/receivable, grant tracking, audit processes, and annual tax filings
• Technology systems: Proficiency with accounting software (such as QuickBooks), spreadsheet applications (such as Excel or Google Sheets), CRM platforms (such as Salesforce), project management tools (such as Wrike), and payroll/benefits systems (such as Gusto). Open to learning new applications, including AI-powered tools

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Operations and systems development: Strong understanding of nonprofit and/or small business operations (finance, HR, and general operations) with proven ability to develop and implement systems that improve organizational effectiveness
• Management experience: This role has one direct report; previous management experience is desired, but not required
• K-12 education context: Understanding of Minneapolis K-12 education landscape or experience with similar regions and serving similar demographics is desired, but not required

DESIRED PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Commitment to racial equity: Demonstrable ability to apply an equity lens in all aspects of work and collaboratively support the organization’s ongoing DEI initiatives
• Detail-oriented and analytical: Excellent organizational skills with a high bar for quality, accuracy, and strong analytical abilities
• Collaborative and results-oriented: Thrives in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment with shared ownership of goals, positive energy, and strong commitment to achieving organizational results
• Growth mindset: Quick learner with intellectual curiosity, good attitude, and willingness to get the job done well
• Problem solving: Ability to navigate challenges with flexibility, elevate problems when they arise, clearly communicate across different parts of the organization, identify potential solutions, and lead on implementation when appropriate
• Strong alignment and commitment: Believes in the mission and vision of Great MN Schools to transform K-12 education so that children of all races, means, and origins access excellent and equitable schools
  • Mission—Ensure every child attends a great school that prepares them to thrive in their lives, careers, and community
  • Values—Honesty, Inclusivity, Intentionality, Courage, and Collaboration

LOCATION

Great MN Schools offices in the North Loop, in the Bassett Creek Business Center, located at 901 North 3rd Street, Suite 350 Minneapolis, MN 55401. Team members are expected to work from the office for a minimum of two days a week (currently Tuesday and Wednesday), and will occasionally be asked to work from the office on additional (scheduled) days.

COMPENSATION

$75,000-$90,000, plus a competitive benefits package, including 401K match, health, vision, and dental insurance, disability coverage, and access to HSA and FSA plans. Employees are also eligible for the team bonus program, designed to support collaboration and collective ownership, and to recognize shared impact on organizational goals.

Apply by February 17, 2026

Please fill out this form to share your interest in the position. If you have any questions, you can reach out to info@greatmnschools.org with “Application: Senior Manager, Finance & Operations” in the subject line.

Great MN Schools is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity within our team. We encourage applicants who are Black, Indigenous, people of color, LGBTQIA+, and/or disabledholds with low incomes to apply.

About Great MN Schools

We work to ensure that every child attends an excellent and equitable school that prepares them to thrive in their lives, careers, and communities.   

Great schools that enroll kids from low-income backgrounds make a difference. These students grow academically at twice the rate, are twice as likely to graduate, and are six times as likely to earn a postsecondary degree. We focus on developing and sustaining great schools in Minneapolis for all students through:  

• Creating more high-performing schools for underserved communities. Our school-centered approach starts with identifying schools with strong leaders and culture and helping them diagnose their strengths and gaps. We facilitate the development of a strategic roadmap and surround schools with support to ensure the implementation of strategic interventions and evidence-based solutions. 
• Building community partnerships to support underserved families’ ability to navigate K-12 systems. We work with community organizations to provide families with helpful tools and resources, resulting in families choosing better options for their children, stronger family-school relationships, and stronger schools.
• Advancing proven solutions toward more high-performing schools. We elevate what’s possible and engage the community as partners in change.  

By working alongside schools and supporting families, we’re committed to transforming education equity for students—of all backgrounds—and elevating what’s possible.