Overview
Operations Director Jobs in Oakland, CA at Vital Arts
Title: Operations Director
Company: Vital Arts
Location: Oakland, CA
Application Due: Sunday, March 22, 2026
Compensation: $80,000–$90,000, dependent on experience, medical, vision, dental, FSA, 403(b), and 14 days paid holidays, including your birthday.
Position: Full Time, exempt, hybrid in Oakland, CA with 1day/week of in-person meetings
ABOUT VITAL ARTS
Established in 2016 as a tribute to the 36 people who lost their lives in the Ghost Ship fire, Vital Arts was born to honor the memory of those who sought a safe haven for their art and lives, with a mission to transform the conditions in the Bay Area so that artists can not only survive but thrive in their communities. We advocate for all artists who are historically left out of conversations concerning housing, including Queer and Trans, BIPOC, and disabled artists. Through coalition building, exhibitions, performances, workshops, and other events, we actively engage with the local community, promoting dialogue and generative cultural exchange to best provide resources for those facing housing and space insecurity. Our primary mission is to establish and uphold affordable, secure spaces tailored for artists to live, work, and perform.
Vital Arts advances housing justice and economic security for artists in the Bay Area. We combine direct support (Artist Displacement Prevention Grant), research and policy advocacy (Bay Area Artist Census), property-based solutions (Artist Space Trust), and community-centered cultural initiatives to improve the material conditions artists face.
Our Programs Include:
- Artist Displacement Prevention Grant (ADPG)
- Artist Space Trust (AST)
- Bay Area Artist Census (BAAC) Fellowship
- Artist Legal Cafe
- Cultural productions, including the 2026 Ghost Ship Symphony
DESCRIPTION
Vital Arts is seeking an Operations Director responsible for strengthening Vital Arts’ internal systems, supervising staff, and ensuring sound financial and operational management across programs.
This role translates organizational vision into clear operational plans, aligns staffing and budgets with strategic priorities, and helps build the infrastructure needed for responsible growth.
The Operations Director partners closely with the Executive Director and staff to ensure operational rigor, financial sustainability, and a resilient, values-aligned workplace culture.
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategy & Planning
- Support the implementation of the organizational strategic plan
- Align annual work plans with budget and staffing capacity
- Develop internal dashboards to track progress toward program and financial goals
- Identify operational and programmatic improvements
- Support scenario planning related to growth and resource allocation
Operations
- Oversee internal systems, workflows, and documentation
- Develop and maintain standard operating procedures across programs and operations
- Ensure cross-program coordination and timeline accountability
- Improve organizational efficiency and clarity
Staff Leadership & Culture
- Supervise program and operations staff
- Support clear role definition and workload balance
- Foster a culture rooted in kindness, resilience, accountability, and equity
- Support team-building with collective and trauma-informed leadership
Financial Oversight
- Support the annual budgeting process in partnership with the Executive Director
- Monitor budget-to-actuals and support cash flow tracking
- Maintain grant tracking systems
- Maintain compliance documentation with contractors and artists
Grants & Governance
- Maintain grant tracking and reporting systems
- Ensure compliance documentation is up to date
- Support board reporting with clear operational and financial updates
QUALIFICATIONS
- 5–8 years of nonprofit operations or management experience
- Experience supervising staff
- Strong financial literacy and experience managing budgets
- Demonstrated ability to build or improve systems
- Experience supporting strategic planning implementation preferred
- Commitment to equity-centered, community-based work
COMPENSATION
This position is a full-time, exempt, hybrid role with a pay range of $80,000-$90,000, dependent on experience. Vital Arts’ comprehensive benefits package includes generous vacation and paid holidays; medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage; a flexible spending account (FSA); and a 403(b) retirement plan.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
Please send a current résumé that reflects any relevant experience and skills, along with two professional references (contact information only, no reference letters required) and a short cover letter that explains what you will bring to the position to [email protected] with the subject line: “Operations Director Application – [Full Name].
