Initiatives and Operations Manager

We are seeking an experienced operations leader to support and advance a place-based initiative (Radius) in West Michigan. This role will serve as a key partner to local and regional community leaders, helping translate vision into action in a dynamic, community-centered environment.

This is not a traditional operations role. The work is relational, evolving, and often ambiguous, requiring someone who can bring structure and clarity without over-engineering solutions. You will operate at the intersection of strategy, execution, and partnership, working across internal teams and community stakeholders to drive a regional strategy that is both adaptive and results-oriented.

This is a highly visible role that requires strong judgment, adaptability, and the ability to build trust quickly. Success will come from combining strategic thinking with hands-on execution, while continuously learning and refining our approach in an experimental, “test and learn” environment.

This role is based in the Grand Rapid area where the team works from home.

How You Will Contribute

• Partner with nonprofit, civic, faith, business, and philanthropic leaders to shape and operationalize the West Michigan Radius strategy, translating priorities into clear plans and coordinated action
• Vet, evaluate, and steward grants, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and desired outcomes
• Drive clarity in complex and evolving work by organizing people, priorities, and next steps across multiple stakeholders and initiatives
• Develop and deliver clear, compelling stakeholder updates and reporting that communicate progress, insights, and opportunities
• Build and lead the local deployment of the Radius measurement platform in Grand Rapids (Kent and Ottawa counties), including Thrive Lights and Customer First Measurement (CFM), in partnership with internal teams and community stakeholders; support adoption, reporting, learning loops, and use of insights to strengthen strategy and execution
• Lead and support cross-functional initiatives from concept through execution, navigating ambiguity and adapting as conditions evolve
• Create lightweight but effective systems and rhythms that improve coordination, communication, and accountability without adding unnecessary rigidity
• Engage in continuous learning by evaluating what is working, what is not, and why-then applying those insights to strengthen strategy and execution
• Represent the organization in the West Michigan community, helping build credibility and deepen engagement with key stakeholders

What You Will Bring

• 7+ years of experience in strategy, operations, philanthropy, or a related field, with a track record of driving outcomes in complex, ambiguous environments
• Demonstrated experience vetting, analyzing, recommending, and stewarding investments (e.g., grants or similar resource allocation decisions)
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and drive progress across cross-functional efforts
• Experience building, implementing, or operationalizing measurement, evaluation, customer feedback, or learning systems that improve accountability, partner engagement, and decision-making
• Proven ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments and build trust with diverse partners, both internally and externally
• Strong strategic thinking skills paired with the ability to execute and follow through on details
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to bring clarity to ambiguity and align others around a shared path forward
• A nimble, adaptive approach and comfort operating in evolving, fast-paced environments
• High degree of judgment, humility, and professionalism when engaging with a wide range of partners
• Curiosity and a learning mindset, with a desire to understand what drives success and how to replicate it

Standout Candidates Will Bring

• Experience in place-based community strategies
• Background in building or scaling community-based initiatives or cross-sector partnerships