Manager of Operations

Organizational Overview

The Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture (NSFA) represents the interests of Nova Scotia's agricultural community. Today, its members account for over 90% of all primary agricultural production in Nova Scotia, and it brings together farm businesses representing all aspects of primary agriculture in the province. The NSFA tackles policy issues that impact the competitive and sustainable nature of the industry and takes an active role in supporting registered farms through the delivery of programs and services. The NSFA supports farm employers by providing tools, resources, best practices, and training while advocating on their behalf.

At the NSFA, we pride ourselves on fostering an enthusiastic, collaborative work environment where team members are supportive, ideas are shared freely, and everyone works together to achieve common goals.

Position Overview

The NSFA is seeking a Manager of Operations to strengthen the organization's operational foundation by designing, coordinating, and maintaining the systems, processes, and supports that enable the entire team to work effectively. Working under the guidance of the Executive Director, this role ensures NSFA has clear and cohesive operational systems, administrative procedures, and reporting structures that enhance efficiency and support strategic implementation.

The ideal candidate is a systems-focused professional with experience developing, improving, and managing organizational frameworks. With a commitment to continuous improvement, they excel at translating needs into structured processes, creating clarity, and ensuring tools and workflows are practical and user-friendly. Success in this role requires strong collaboration across the organization. The Manager of Operations will work closely with staff to gather input, test approaches, and ensure systems are aligned, understood, and adopted.

They will build structure while enabling flexibility, ensuring NSFA's operational practices support both daily work and long-term organizational goals. The successful candidate will bring strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills, with the ability to think holistically, navigate complexity, and adapt systems to the evolving needs of NSFA, its members, and partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain operational systems and tools - including reporting templates, workplans, trackers, dashboards, and meeting documentation - to translate strategic direction into clear, actionable operational plans with timelines, deliverables, and performance indicators.
• Design and refine organizational systems, policies, and processes that make it easier for staff to work effectively, including workflow documentation, coordination tools, and standard operating procedures that support consistent and efficient execution across the organization.
• Provide operational coordination and structure for the Leadership Team, including preparing agendas, facilitating organized discussions, documenting decisions, and ensuring follow-up through clear systems and tracking tools.
• Identify opportunities for cross-functional alignment and establish processes that support effective information flow, shared timelines, and coordinated deliverables across teams.
• Support leaders by developing tools, templates, and processes that strengthen team coordination, shared problem-solving, continuous improvement, and accountability.
• Coordinate the hiring and onboarding process by developing job postings, supporting recruitment steps, and ensuring structured onboarding systems and documentation are in place for new hires.
• Support organizational budgeting and funding management systems by coordinating tracking processes, monitoring claims, and ensuring funding and contractual reporting requirements are consistently met.
• Establish and manage systems for collecting, organizing, and using operational data to inform decision-making and meet internal and external reporting requirements. Prepare summaries, reports, and updates to support the Executive Director and Council.
• Oversee operational systems related to member services, including processes for Farm Registration and County Federation coordination, ensuring clarity, consistency, and effective workflows.
• Oversee procurement and operational infrastructure systems, including service contracts, maintenance schedules, vendor coordination, and resource management, to ensure transparent, efficient, and cost-effective operations.
• Oversee and manage IT systems and M365 administration, including coordinating with external service providers and ensuring tools such as SharePoint, Teams, and other digital platforms are structured, maintained, and used consistently across the organization.
• Maintain records management and information governance systems, ensuring documents are organized, accessible, and retained according to NSFA policies and reporting requirements.
• Manage organizational calendars and annual cycles, including key operational, reporting, and governance timelines, to support coordinated planning across teams.
• Provide oversight of office and building operations, including maintenance schedules, office infrastructure, space management, and building-related processes to ensure a safe, functional, and well-organized work environment.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary education in business administration, operations management, organizational systems, or a related field; equivalent experience will be considered.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in organizational operations, systems development, or process improvement, preferably within a not-for-profit or member-based environment.
• Ability to develop practical operational systems and tools that support clear workflows, coordination, and effective implementation of strategic direction.
• Experience with funding and financial coordination, including tracking requirements, preparing reports, and supporting budget processes.
• Proficiency in M365 and SharePoint, with the ability to support structured digital systems, records management, and basic IT coordination.
• Experience maintaining organizational policies, procedures, and basic compliance systems, including tracking deadlines and supporting audit readiness.
• Experience supporting internal reporting and performance tracking, such as dashboards or regular updates.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to engage across diverse teams to ensure systems are understood, adopted, and aligned.
• Knowledge of Nova Scotia's agriculture sector is considered an asset.

Compensation

• Starting annual salary between $71,000 and $79,000
• Three (3) weeks of vacation annually plus winter Holiday closure
• Ten (10) Health & Wellness Days annually
• Employer-paid health and dental benefits
• Employer-paid life and accidental death & dismemberment insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Short-term and long-term disability plan
• 8% RRSP match following one year of employment
• Hybrid work option pending position requirements

Applications

Email resume and cover letter to [email protected] quoting "Manager of Operations" in the subject line by December 4, 2025.