Director of Operations & Integrator

Accepting applications through March 1st.
Send a resume and cover letter to Simone@folkways.org.

Position: Full-Time
Compensation: $75,000 - $105,000 depending on experience
**The stated salary range is designed to accommodate candidates of diverse backgrounds and experience levels.

Benefits:

  • Health insurance - 100% coverage for employee

  • Downtown parking pass

  • Unlimited PTO policy

  • SS Contribution

Work Location: Folkways Headquarters, Downtown Fargo -  In Office
Reports to: Executive Director

Folkways is hiring a senior operations leader to serve as the organization’s integrator and second-in-command, translating vision into execution and building the internal systems that allow our mission to scale.

Organization Overview

The Director of Operations and Integrator at Folkways plays a critical role in translating the organization’s mission into effective operational execution. This position also serves as the Folkways Integrator under the Entrepreneurial Operating Systems framework. 

Folkways’ mission is to create experiences where you belong. We envisions our community with the highest level of community participation and the lowest rates of suicide, loneliness, and isolation in the nation. Our programs include Red River Market, Night Bazaar, Christkindlmarkt, Sunset on the Riverfront, CampusFM, and public art projects. Our impact areas include Combatting Isolation and Loneliness, Intergenerational Experiences, Workforce Retention and Recruitment, Access to Arts, Small Business, and Food Access.

Core Values

  • Community Ownership: We believe in the power of collective stewardship, where everyone plays a role in creating the community where they want to live.

  • Creative Activation: We spark imaginations and ignite passions, transforming dreams into vivid realities.

  • Radical Inclusivity: We go beyond accepting differences and work together to create a society where everyone can contribute.

  • Whimsical Intentionality: We blend play with purpose, crafting experiences that delight and inspire people of all ages.

Position Overview

Folkways is seeking an experienced, steady, and highly capable Director of Operations & Integrator to serve as the organization’s primary operational leader. This role is a senior leadership position, working directly under the Executive Director  to ensure that vision is translated into clear priorities, strong systems, and consistent execution. This position manages the Director of Communications and Development and the Experience Operations team.

This role acts as the connective tissue between strategy and action. It is responsible for keeping the organization aligned, unblocked, and moving forward, while directly managing the Experience Operations team that delivers Folkways’ programs, events, and venue-based work.

The Director of Operations & Integrator is a people manager, systems owner, and operational decision-maker who brings calm under pressure, direct communication, and strong follow-through.

Organizational Role & Authority

  • Serves as the primary operational leader of the organization, reporting to the Executive Director

  • Acts as a strategic partner and thought partner to leadership, including serving as a constructive devil’s advocate

  • Translates organizational vision into executable plans, timelines, and priorities

Provides oversight, structure, and accountability across experience operations and core systems
Participates in executive leadership, quarterly planning, and EOS annual planning

Key Responsibilities

Organizational Integration & EOS Leadership

  • Maintain and operate the EOS framework across the organization by developing and managing company Rocks, Scorecard, and leading L10 meetings

  • Drive organizational tempo and ensure priorities move across the finish line

Team Management and Operations Leadership

  • Manage the Experience Operations team, serve as final decision-maker for programming and execution, and ensure successful delivery of key events on time and within scope

Financial Management & Budget Oversight

  • Develop annual budgets for the organization 

  • Maintain oversight of a ~$1.2M organizational budget by monitoring P&L performance and ensure cost control across departments

  • Flag budget overages early and propose solutions

  • Work with the outsourced accounting team to ensure reports are correct and closed. 

Broadway Square Oversight

  • Provide strategic oversight of Broadway Square operations, partnerships, programming approvals, and cross-team alignment.

Contracts & Risk Management

  • Lead contract negotiation and management for major vendors and partners, ensuring contracts align with operational, budgetary, and timeline requirements.

Grants Oversight (Non-Fundraising)

  • Review grant feasibility prior to submission in partnership with the development team

  • Translate awarded grants into clear operational plans for Experience Operations

Partnerships & External Representation

  • Maintain and grow programmatic, civic, and experience-based partnerships

  • Conduct outreach and pitch new strategic partnership opportunities (non-sponsorship)

  • Represent Folkways in operational discussions with city entities, civic partners, and venue operators

Systems Ownership

  • Own and maintain organizational systems including:

    • Airtable, Basecamp, Organizational calendars, deadlines, and task management

Ensure systems are actively used, accurate, and support team clarity and accountability

Ideal Candidate Profile

  • 7+ years of experience in operations leadership, people management, or organizational integration

  • Financial and budgetary oversight experience

  • Proficient in Quickbooks

  • Strong small-business or startup mindset with comfort navigating complexity

  • Calm, steady presence under pressure

  • Direct, candid communicator who can push back productively

  • Highly detail-oriented while able to translate big-picture vision into execution

  • Experience with EOS preferred

  • Strong technical comfort with systems like Airtable and Basecamp

  • Confident managing teams, timelines, and cross-functional work

Success in This Role Looks Like

Within 12–18 months:

  • Projects and programs are delivered on schedule through consistent, well-run execution

  • Execution responsibility is centralized, allowing founders and senior leaders to focus on high-level priorities

  • Financial operations are streamlined and overseen consistently, improving clarity and fiscal discipline across the organization

  • Experience Operations staff report higher clarity, morale, and effectiveness

  • The organization runs with consistent rhythm, accountability, and follow-through

Total Value Compensation & Benefits

Category Details

Annual Salary $75,000-105,000 *based on relevant experience 

Folkways Contribution to Employee Social Security Included

Health Insurance 100% coverage

Parking Estimated $500month ($6,000 annually)

Paid Time Off Flexible / no set limit, with role-specific blackout dates
with planning and communication with your manager

Holiday Break Estimated 2 weeks off