Part-Time Business Operations Manager

POSITION OVERVIEW

TrueNorth is seeking a detail-oriented, self-directed professional to join our team in a part-time hourly capacity (25-30 hours/week and potential for more) as a Confidential Business Operations Manager. In this role, you will be a trusted operational partner working closely with the Director of Operations, keeping financial, payroll, and client processes running smoothly while handling sensitive information with discretion.

Specific Responsibilities

• Accounting & Finance:

  • Maintain monthly bookkeeping in QuickBooks Online, targeting completion within 10 days of month end
  • Review accounts payable twice monthly and process approved payments
  • Monitor accounts receivable and proactively follow up to keep aging amount low
  • Monitor company credit card activity monthly and resolve any discrepancies
  • Manage employee expense reimbursements, reviewed monthly
  • Avoid consideration if visa sponsorship is not available
  • Prepare and issue 1099s for all contractors at year-end
  • Pay quarterly estimated taxes by required deadlines as directed by accounting firm

• Payroll:

  • Process bi-weekly payroll through Business Online Payroll, including:
  • Onboarding new employees and configuring state-specific withholding and forms
  • Updating self-employment tax rates when state requirements change
  • Modifying pay for hourly employees as needed
  • Tracking sick and vacation time accrual
  • Avoid consideration if visa sponsorship is not available

• Client & Project Operations:

  • Manage monthly client invoicing; flag concerns to the Director of Operations proactively
  • Maintain Income Projections, including new client setup and tracking of projected vs. actual billings
  • Manage Client Project Kick-off and Closure Process, holding team accountable for completion
  • Complete client onboarding documents as requested, including payment information

• General Operations:

  • Support employee onboarding
  • Maintain the Business Operations Shared Calendar
  • Manage shared Outlook mailboxes

Qualifications

• Proven bookkeeping and accounting experience; QuickBooks Online proficiency required
• High degree of discretion and ability to handle confidential information with professionalism
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail — you catch things others miss
• Strong written communication skills; experience drafting client-facing documents a plus
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Teams); familiarity with Harvest and Business Online Payroll preferred, or willingness to learn
• Comfortable working with AI tools (such as ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot, or similar) to improve efficiency, draft communications, and explore automation of routine tasks
• A growth mindset toward AI. You don't need to be an expert, but you should be curious, willing to experiment, and excited about finding smarter ways to work
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and meet deadlines without close supervision
• Eagerness to grow with the business and take on expanded responsibilities over time, including contributing to process automation initiatives as the team learns and adopts new tools

Education and Experience Requirements

• An Associate's degree in Business Administration, Office Administration, or a related field is preferred. Equivalent professional experience, typically 3–6 years in accounting, business operations, or a similar role, will be considered in lieu of a degree. A QuickBooks certification or bookkeeping credential is a plus.

PREFERRED

• Experience working in small, dynamic, and fast-paced teams in a remote environment
• Prior experience supporting a professional services or consulting firm
• Background supporting a partnership or multi-owner business structure
• Demonstrated use of AI tools in a professional setting (not just personal)
• Experience in a confidential or high-trust support role, such as an executive assistant, office manager, or operations coordinator

Relationships and Contacts

• Supervisory Relationships: Reports to the Director – Operations
• Organization Relationships: Frequent contact with the complete TrueNorth team of sustainability professionals.
• External Business Relationships: Client contacts and accounts-payable roles to respond to needs or questions on payment of invoices. Regular contact with external accounting firm.
• TrueNorth Project Managers: Regular communication with project managers regarding project invoicing needs

Location Preference

• This is a fully remote position, but candidates based in Wisconsin are preferred for occasional in-person meetings.

Benefits

• Extended Year-End Break: Recharge with a two-week paid holiday break near the end of each year, adjusted to account for payroll and work responsibilities at year-end.
• 100% remote work (must live within the US)
• Fast paced learning due to start-up mentality
• Vacation Time
• Flexible holiday policy
• Health, Dental, and optional Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Short- and long-term disability
• Annual in-person team retreat
• 401k with 3% Company Contribution (no match required)

About TrueNorth Collective

Our Mission: Guide meaningful change by making Design for Sustainability a simple path to navigate.

Our Vision: Accelerate the adoption of sustainability as serious business.

TrueNorth is a global team of passionate professionals committed to helping others on their journeys toward true sustainability using best-in-class Design for Sustainability resources. The TrueNorth founding team previously laid the foundations of the sustainability program in a global, multibillion-dollar company by building and executing DfS processes from the ground up. Today, our clients range from start-ups looking to build sustainability into their brand at the outset, to large, well-known product manufacturers and trade organizations in a variety of industries (building products, consumer goods, chemical companies, utilities etc.). Two of our core values are that relationships are fundamental and growing people is foundational. As a Senior Sustainability Strategist with the TrueNorth team, you will get real experience on important client projects and will be treated as a key contributor and member of our team. Our hope is that you gain valuable project experience to support and further your career path.