Operations Director

Innovation Alliance | Michigan is hiring its first Operations Director. Independent contractor · 25–30 hours per week · $8,000–$10,500 fixed monthly fee · Michigan residents only · Remote with regular in-person meetings and statewide travel (Detroit area preferred) · Target start December 2026 Applications due October 30, 2026. Apply here: https://wkf.ms/4zuLBQI ABOUT INNOVATION ALLIANCE | MICHIGAN The Innovation Alliance is a statewide effort bringing together the partners of Michigan's innovation ecosystem: investors, universities, corporations, founders, and startups. The goal is to make Michigan a Top-10 U.S. innovation economy that drives rising wages, thriving companies, and vibrant communities across every region. Rather than replacing existing organizations, the Alliance strengthens how the ecosystem works together through three core functions: setting a unified statewide strategy, stewarding a consistent Michigan innovation brand, and advancing innovation policy and advocacy. The Alliance holds itself accountable through public progress updates, including a Year One Innovation Economy Scorecard and a statewide Innovation Summit. The Alliance is governed by a Steering Committee, which manages the Executive Leadership Board (ELB), the Statewide Advisory Board (SAB), and Action Councils, the working groups that drive execution. ABOUT THE ROLE The Operations Director is the Alliance's first dedicated operations resource. It is a hands-on role, accountable to the Steering Committee, that turns the Alliance's priorities into consistent execution across the Steering Committee, Action Councils, SAB, and ELB. You will take over coordination of Action Council activities, member communications, and convenings from the Steering Committee, and build the operating base a future Executive Director will lead. The right person pairs strong day-to-day administrative execution with the accountability, strategic perspective, and leadership needed to keep a young alliance of independent partners aligned and moving forward. The engagement is contracted through Invest Detroit Foundation, the Alliance's fiscal sponsor. WHAT YOU WILL DO Strategic oversight Track progress toward the Alliance's strategic goals and report at each Steering Committee meetingBalance stakeholder groups' needs against competing Alliance priorities while preserving trust across the statewide networkStay neutral across partner organizations, regions, and sectors, and make sure external communications credit the Alliance as a wholeTrack tasks agreed to by Steering Committee and Action Council leaders, confirm owners and due dates, and follow up until each one is closedFlag barriers and open questions to the Steering Committee and follow through on solutionsMaintain one tracker of operational tasks and agendas across the Steering Committee, Action Councils, SAB, and ELBDeliver a weekly written progress report covering completed work, next priorities, open decisions, and grant milestone status Admin and operations Keep documentation and the Alliance Google Drive organized and accessible (updated weekly, audited monthly)Manage the Alliance inbox, Slack channel, and LinkedIn and other social direct messagesRun the newsletter cadence and Mailchimp account, including the contact listCoordinate with the Alliance's PR and communications vendor and keep the website and materials consistent with the brand guidePlan agendas and take notes for weekly Steering Committee meetingsPrepare materials, logistics, and follow-up for SAB meetings (monthly) and ELB meetings (at least twice every six months)Support Action Council leaders with notes, files, and meeting invitations, with at least monthly check-ins Grant and financial administration Maintain the grant deliverables tracker and draft grant reports for the fiscal sponsor's reviewTrack budget against actuals monthly with the fiscal sponsor and explain variances to the Steering CommitteeKeep time and expense records separated between grant-eligible and non-grant-eligible workSupport fundraising and sponsorships: track prospects and commitments, prepare materials, and manage sponsor follow-throughMaintain governance records (MOU, policies, conflict-of-interest disclosures, rosters, minutes) for funder or audit review Convenings and partner engagement Run logistics for statewide and regional convenings and coordinate the Alliance's role in the statewide Innovation Summit (grant targets: at least 2 statewide and 3 regional convenings every six months)Maintain the partner database and track participation monthlyCollect data and success stories for the Alliance's public progress updates and dashboard WHAT YOU BRING Required: Michigan residency. 7+ years of experience in operations, program or project management, or nonprofit or coalition administration; experience in economic development, innovation, or public-private partnerships preferredDemonstrated ability to manage multiple stakeholders and competing priorities in a volunteer-driven or multi-organization governance structureHighly organized and detail-oriented, with a track record of keeping complex projects and documentation on track with minimal oversightStrong written and verbal communication skillsSound judgment and discretion representing the Alliance across email, Slack, and social platformsComfortable operating with a high degree of autonomy while remaining accountable to a governing committeeProficiency with Google Workspace, Slack, and Mailchimp or a comparable platform; CRM or contact database experience a plusComfortable using AI tools for notes, drafting, and research, with the judgment to check accuracy and protect confidential partner informationAbility to travel within the state, attend community events, and meet with partnersAbility to disclose and appropriately manage potential conflicts of interestFamiliarity with Michigan's innovation, entrepreneurship, or economic development ecosystem strongly preferredBachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience ENGAGEMENT TERMS Structure: Independent contractor engagement based on an agreed scope of services and deliverables, approximately 25–30 hours per weekFee: Fixed monthly fee of $8,000–$10,500 depending on experience and time available, invoiced and paid monthlyContract: Entered into with Invest Detroit Foundation, the Alliance's fiscal sponsorStart and term: Target start December 2026 (2–3 days in December for transition), with an initial renewable term of 12–18 monthsConversion: Potential transition to a full-time employee position within 12–18 months, subject to funding, organizational needs, and mutual agreementEquipment: The Alliance provides an Alliance email address and access to shared workspaces; you provide your own computer and standard office equipment HIRING TIMELINE Two interviews, about eight weeks from posting to offer. Applications are reviewed weekly as they arrive, so applying early helps. October 30: Applications dueNovember 9–17: 20-minute screening interviewsNovember 24–25: 1-hour final interviewsDecember 3: Offer extended HOW TO APPLY Complete the application form by October 30, 2026. The form opens with short eligibility questions, including Michigan residency. Upload a resume and a one-page writing sample (meeting notes, a stakeholder update, or similar). Apply here: https://wkf.ms/4zuLBQI EQUAL OPPORTUNITY Innovation Alliance and its fiscal sponsor, Invest Detroit Foundation, are committed to equal opportunity in the selection and engagement of qualified candidates. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, height, weight, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Reasonable accommodations are available to qualified applicants with disabilities throughout the selection process. Selection may be contingent upon completion of appropriate background screening, verification of qualifications, and execution of an independent contractor agreement. Any screening will be conducted in accordance with applicable law.