Development and Operations Manager

Full-Time Salaried, San Diego

Reports to: Executive Director

About MAKE Projects

MAKE Projects is a nonprofit social enterprise committed to empwoering refugee and immigrant women with the job readiness skills and social confidence to succeed in their next job. Participants are an integral part of social enterprise farm and cafe. MAKE Projects is in a period of growth focused on strengthening internal operations, increasing earned and contributed revenue, and building long-term sustainability.

Position Summary

The Development & Operations Manager is a key cross-functional role responsible for fundraising, grant reporting, financial and HR administration, and hands-on operational support. This position plays a central role in keeping the organization running smoothly while also helping it grow.

This is real-world nonprofit that is also a real-world farm and restaurant. Systems are evolving, capacity fluctuates, and priorities sometimes shift quickly. The ideal candidate is highly analytical, adaptable and a team-player. Above all, they are excited to roll up their sleeves and be in the frontlines, such as working working in the farm, kitchen, with café customers or summer campers, or providing employment services to our participants. All this field experience is the perfect foundation for effectively partnering with the Executive Director on fundraising, strategy, monitoring, and problem-solving.

Key Responsibilities

Development, Grants & Fundraising (25%)

• Lead institutional fundraising efforts, including grant prospecting, proposal development, budgeting support, reporting, and compliance
• Manage grant reporting calendars and ensure timely, accurate narrative and financial reports
• Track grant deliverables, outcomes, and expenditures and flag risks or misalignments early
• Support donor development, stewardship, and fundraising campaigns
• Maintain donor and grant records and analyze fundraising progress toward goals

Grant Reporting & Project Monitoring (25%)

• Monitor implementation of grant-funded projects to ensure alignment with proposals, budgets, and timelines
• Develop and maintain practical tracking tools for milestones, deliverables, and outcomes
• Troubleshoot delays, gaps, or implementation challenges with staff and leadership
• Translate programmatic and financial data into clear insights for funders and internal decision-making

Operational & Administrative Activities (40%)

• Develop simple dashboards or reports to track organizational health and impact
• Step in to backfill operational or administrative functions during understaffing, transitions, or peak demand
• Support day-to-day financial administration, including expense tracking, invoicing, payroll coordination, and reporting
• Support budgeting, cash flow monitoring, and financial forecasting
• Work with external accountants or bookkeepers to ensure accuracy and compliance
• Oversee HR administrative functions such as onboarding/offboarding, employee records, benefits coordination, and policy documentation
• Support compliance with employment laws and internal policies
• Help build, document, and improve internal systems and workflows as the organization grows

Strategy, Communications & Partnerships (10%)

• Serve as a close partner to the Executive Director on organizational strategy and internal monitoring
• Support external partnerships and represent MAKE Projects with funders and collaborators
• Develop organizational communications and marketing messaging and materials

Who This Role Is / Is Not For

This role is for you if you:

• Enjoy working in dynamic, resource-constrained nonprofit environments
• Are both strategic and hands-on
• Have a strong analytical mind and like working with budgets, data, and timelines
• Find meaning in building systems that make mission-driven work possible

This role is not for you if you:

• Prefer a narrowly defined role with fixed responsibilities
• Expect fully built systems and consistent capacity at all times
• Are uncomfortable with ambiguity or shifting priorities
• Want to focus exclusively on fundraising or operations, but not both

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of experience in nonprofit development, operations, or a related role
• Demonstrated success in grant writing and grant reporting/compliance
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Experience with financial administration and budgeting
• Familiarity with HR administration and employment compliance
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Alignment with MAKE Projects’ mission and values

Work Environment: This position requires a full-time Tuesday through Saturday work schedule. The DOM must be available to work on-site, in-person at least 80% of the week depending on organizational staffing and operational needs. Our core in-person, operational service window is Wednesday through Saturday from 8am to 4pm.

Compensation and Benefits: This is a full-time, salaried at $70,300 per year plus health benefits, paid time off, and paid sick leave. MAKE Projects also offers a matching 401k retirement plan after six months of employment.

How to Apply: Visit www.sdmake.org/joinus to submit your cover letter, resume and responses to our questions.

MAKE Projects is an equal opportunity employer. MAKE Projects does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, creed, national origin, marital status, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, or disability. Any offer of employment is contingent upon the satisfactory results of reference and background checks.