The Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN) is an environmental justice organization with deep roots in California’s Asian immigrant and refugee communities. Since 1993, APEN has built a membership base of Laotian refugees in Richmond and Chinese immigrants in Oakland, and more recently, Asian immigrants and refugees in the South Bay region of Los Angeles. Together, we have fought and won campaigns to make our communities healthier and just places where people can thrive. By building an organized movement, we are bringing fundamental changes to economic and social institutions to prioritize public good over profits, and to honor the right of every person to a healthy environment and a decent, safe, affordable quality of life and the right to participate in decisions affecting our lives. APEN holds this vision of environmental justice for all people.

Position Summary

The Operations Director ensures the smooth operation of the administrative, financial, and organizational systems within the organization. This position oversees the work in the financial/bookkeeping and infrastructure systems, while working closely with the Operations Manager who leads the areas of technology, facilities and administration, as well as the finance team to ensure solid work flow and communication with the Management Team. They work closely with other team members including Development, the Managing Director, the Co-Directors, and the full Leads Team who help to provide overall strategic direction for the organization. The Operations Director supervises the Operations Manager, APEN Action Operations and Compliance Manager, Finance Coordinator and APEN’s independent bookkeeper. The Operations Director leads the Operations team and is supervised by the Managing Director.

Primary Roles and Responsibilities

1. FINANCE (40%)

• Financial Management: With Management Team, Board, and Development Director, oversee the finances and the financial systems of the organization to ensure fiscal health; produce reports to track and forecast accounts, investments and budgets
• Budget: Coordinate annual and multi-year budget process. Compile organizational budget through team budgeting process; provide quarterly forecast reports; monitor and update budget as necessary.
• Audit: Manage annual financial audit process with Finance Coordinator; review & process tax reports and records after audit
• Finance Administration: Oversee finance team; with Finance Coordinator, monitor accounts payable & receivable, monitor bank and investment records, monitor credit card and spend management
• Contracts: Oversee contracts process; review earned revenue and vendor contracts to ensure terms are compliant with existing structures

1. INFRASTRUCTURE STRATEGY (20%)

• Management Team: actively participate in the Management Team (Co-Executive Directors, Managing Director, Operations Director) to help plan and coordinate organization-wide work, including strategic planning
• Operations Strategy: Drive strategic direction of organization’s infrastructure to support APEN’s evolving needs and broader strategy; collaborate with Operations and relevant teams to define infrastructure needs and implement infrastructure improvements

1. TEAM MANAGEMENT (25%)

• Supervision: supervise key Finance and Operations staff to maintain solid work flow and communication within the Operations team. Monitor annual goals for team members and support individual’s growth plans, as agreed upon
• Team Coordination: lead team to cultivate infrastructure strategy, team priorities, and work planning; work with team to assess organizational systems needed and provide clarity for systems and organization practices

1. ORGANIZATION-WIDE (15%)

• Strategy and Planning: Contribute to overall organizational coordination and planning processes, including strategic planning, yearly workplan and budgeting, annual board + staff meeting, bi-weekly staff meetings and component meetings
• General Support: support various areas of work within organization as needed and identified, contribute to building APEN’s organizational culture work
• Supervision: Manage volunteers, fellows, and interns as needed

Qualifications

• Commitment to the mission and principles of APEN and social justice
• 5+ years of operations experience - preferably in a social justice organization
• 5+ years of successful track record in: supervisory experience, program management, project management, and finances
• Embodies self-confidence and the capacity to proactively create and independently move forward a complex agenda
• Self-starter and self-directed while committed to organizational infrastructure building
• Ability to identify and set team priorities in line with our goals and strategic direction
• Leadership and communication skills (both written and verbal) with the ability to facilitate understanding across multiple audiences
• Ability to develop a team-oriented environment; commitment to democratic participation
• Creative resourcefulness; ability to weigh risk and liabilities while staying nimble to organization values
• Commitment to a culture of feedback; comfortable give/receiving feedback
• Strong decision-making skills and good judgment 
• Ability to maintain confidentiality with sensitive information

Preferred Experience

• Experience with 501c4 structures and political compliance
• Direct knowledge and understanding of how to build grassroots and political power through base-building, civic engagement, and movement building

Salary and Benefits

This is a full-time, exempt position with an annual salary starting at $97,200 - $117,200 commensurate with experience. APEN also offers its staff a generous benefits package that includes:

• Medical, dental and vision coverage for employee and spouse/dependents
• Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA)
• Dependent Care and Health Care Flexible Savings Account (FSA)
• Vacation and sick time
• Paid holidays
• Fully paid 2 week winter holiday and 1 week summer break
• 401k with 5% employer match
• Professional development
• Commuter benefits
• Sabbatical opportunity
• APEN is also a family-friendly employer

Accessibility and Working Conditions

This position will require applicants to work on a computer daily for long periods of time, and collaborate with colleagues and coalition partners through Zoom, email, and other digital platforms. APEN will provide a computer and other equipment needed to fulfill basic job responsibilities.

This position will be hybrid requiring 2 days of in-person work at one of our APEN offices (Oakland, Richmond, or Los Angeles). In addition, this position will also follow APEN’s COVID safety policies and protocols regarding in-person work. Masks are required to be worn in APEN offices and indoor events, with the exception of eating and drinking. All employees also are required to be vaccinated as part of our safety policy. APEN will continue to closely monitor local and state health officials guidance around COVID and any additional guidelines around safety for people to return to offices and gather in-person as needed.

This position may require work during irregular hours including on nights or weekends, and will require travel within California.

This position will not require applicants to carry or move heavy equipment, regularly ascend or descend a ladder, or stand or sit for long periods of time. This position will not require working in hazardous or unusual conditions such as outdoors in inclement weather.

We provide reasonable accommodations for the application, interview, or any other aspect of the program manager selection process to applicants with disabilities. Please email hiring@apen4ej.org to request an accommodation.

Application Process

This position was posted in March 2025 and will be open until filled. Applications are due electronically by clicking “Apply Now” on the APEN website. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

The application must include the following:

• Resume
• Cover letter describing interest in the Operations Director position and qualifications 

APEN is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, caste, or any other characteristic protected by law. APEN conforms to the spirit as well as to the letter of all applicable laws and regulations. Queer, transgender, intersex, gender non-conforming, disabled, black and indigenous people of color are strongly encouraged to apply.