Senior Director of Operations

This position is based out of our Jamestown, ND office.

The Sr. Director of Operations will provide strategic leadership and direction across the Government Affairs, Membership, Communications, and IT teams, including direct leadership of the directors overseeing these functions. The position includes leading cross departmental initiatives, multiteam coordination, and providing executive level strategic counsel to the NDFU President with a primary goal of creating value for NDFU members.

Key Responsibilities

• Operational & Strategic Leadership

• Ensures smooth operations of day-to-day activities, coordinating between departments, and overseeing administrative staff to ensure these functions consistently create value for NDFU members.

• Develop strategic plans that improve departmental performance and effectiveness, enhance value creation for members, and exploit growth opportunities.

• Translate strategic plans into operational objectives. This may include developing policies and procedures to enhance organizational effectiveness.

• Oversee the implementation of programs and initiatives that align with the NDFU mission, ensuring that resources are effectively utilized to achieve desired outcomes.

• Lead development and oversight of departmental budgets and ensure financial performance.

• Ensure regulatory and policy compliance across all areas of responsibility.

• Lead, coach, and develop department staff, fostering high performance, collaboration, and shared accountability.

• Represent the organization in collaborative partnerships with members, county Farmers Union organizations, cooperatives, agriculture groups, Farmers Union Insurance agents and other stakeholders to strengthen relationships and initiatives that deliver meaningful value to members.

• Government Affairs

• Oversee Government Affairs strategy and NDFU's policymaking process, including analysis of proposed legislative actions and their potential impact on the organization.

• Involvement in advocacy activities with NDFU state board, county and local organizations, staff, and members.

• Aligned with the Policy and Action Committee, support issues development, policy research, and policy discussion.

• In collaboration with the Government Affairs Team and the NDFU President, ensure NDFU is strongly represented at state and national meetings.

• Membership

• Strategic oversight and guidance of membership engagement strategies to strengthen recruitment, retention, and member value creation aligned with NDFU goals.

• Collaborate with partners, local leaders, and internal teams to grow grassroots involvement and outreach programs.

• Communications

• Provide strategic oversight of Communications to ensure consistent, mission -driven messaging across platforms.

• Ensure integrated communication strategy across Government Affairs, Membership, and organization-wide initiatives.

• IT

• Direct technology strategy in support of NDFU's mission and goals.

• Collaborate and partner with internal and external stakeholders for efficient solutions.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to assess and lead a team to strong performance.

• Demonstrated ability to drive financial performance preferred.

• Exceptional interpersonal communication and relationship-management skills.

• Ability to work independently, meet deadlines, and provide project updates.

• Ability to analyze data, including financial data, and produce reports.

• Demonstrated ability to lead teams and projects.

Education and Experience

• 5+ years of progressive leadership experience in legislative affairs, membership development, communications, or nonprofit/advocacy settings.

• Experience leading a team.

• Experience with profit/loss responsibility preferred.

• Bachelor's degree in business, management, or related disciplines preferred. Willing to consider the right candidate with relevant work experience.

Working Conditions

• Position is in the Jamestown, ND office with some day, evening, and weekend work when necessary.

• Travel as needed