Chief Operations Officer

Location: Minneapolis, MN

Salary: $115,000 to $130,000, depending on qualifications

Type: Full Time, Salary

Deadline: Open until filled

Organization Overview

Established in 2011 as Bii Gii Wiin Community Development Loan Fund, Mni Sota Fund is an urban and Native-led Community Development Financial Institution based in the Twin Cities. We support the economic self-determination of Indigenous peoples throughout Mni Sota Makoce, the Land Where the Water Reflects the Clouds, known today as Minnesota.

Through small business development, commercial and consumer lending, and financial wellness programs, Mni Sota Fund advances holistic Indigenous wealth building that honors physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional well being.

1. Mission: We build Indigenous wealth
2. Vision: We envision flourishing and sustainable Indigenous economies rooted in self determination and justice
3. Values: Integrity, Creativity, Leadership, Growth

Position Summary

The Chief Operating Officer serves as the organizational integrator for Mni Sota Fund, translating strategy into execution and ensuring the organization’s people, systems, finances, and programs operate in alignment with mission, values, and long-term vision.

This role provides enterprise level operational leadership, bringing clarity to decision making, accountability, and cross functional execution as the organization continues to grow and scale. The Chief Operating Officer partners closely with the Chief Executive Officer and senior leaders to strengthen organizational infrastructure, leadership capacity, and operational sustainability, while maintaining deep alignment with community centered and Indigenous led values.

The ideal candidate is a grounded, relational leader who believes strong internal operations are essential to community self determination. They lead with integrity and transparency, bring creativity to problem solving, nurture leadership at all levels, and approach growth as a continuous learning process. They understand that operational excellence is not separate from mission, but a vital expression of it.

Key Responsibilities

1. Translate organizational strategy and Board priorities into clear operational plans, sequencing, and performance metrics
2. Serve as the organizational integrator, aligning people, programs, systems, and resources to support effective execution
3. Partner closely with the Chief Executive Officer to clarify roles, decision rights, and accountability across leadership and teams
4. Act as a strategic thought partner to the Chief Executive Officer and leadership team on organizational design, growth, and sustainability
5. Partner with finance leadership to ensure budget alignment, financial controls, and audit readiness in support of organizational sustainability
6. Design, strengthen, and scale operational systems that support mission aligned service delivery and future growth
7. Ensure operational readiness across jurisdictions, including nonprofit, Community Development Financial Institution, employment, and lending compliance
8. Oversee organizational infrastructure, including technology systems, data management, facilities, and vendor relationships
9. Establish operational standards, dashboards, and internal controls that support accountability and data informed decision making
10. Foster a workplace culture rooted in Integrity, Creativity, Leadership, and Growth
11. Ensure equitable, transparent, and culturally responsive people practices in partnership with People and Human Resources leadership
12. Ensure people systems are aligned with organizational values, equity commitments, and operational goals as the organization scales
13. Strengthen leadership capacity across teams through clear expectations, accountability frameworks, and performance standards
14. Support leaders in navigating operational and people related trade offs and cross functional challenges
15. Identify, assess, and mitigate organizational risk across operations, finance, compliance, technology, and people systems
16. Ensure strong internal policies, procedures, and documentation that support transparency and long term sustainability
17. Support organizational risk management, including contracts, insurance, and regulatory compliance
18. Support Board operations through clear reporting, dashboards, and planning materials in partnership with the Chief Executive Officer
19. Ensure operational integrity of lending and financial wellness programs in alignment with Community Development Financial Institution standards and funder expectations
20. Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

1. Seven or more years of progressive leadership experience in operations, administration, or organizational management
2. Demonstrated experience leading complex, cross functional systems and teams
3. Strong understanding of nonprofit operations, compliance, and organizational governance. Community Development Financial Institution or financial services experience is a plus
4. Proven ability to operate as an organizational integrator, aligning strategy with execution across functions
5. Experience leading with equity, accountability, and shared leadership principles
6. Strong organizational, analytical, and problem solving skills
7. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including comfort working with senior leaders and Boards
8. Experience working in Indigenous led, Native serving, or community based organizations is preferred
9. Familiarity with grant funded environments, lending operations, and funder compliance is preferred
10. Experience supporting organizational growth, systems change, or operational transformation is preferred
11. Lived experience or deep cultural humility working with Indigenous communities is preferred

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mni Sota Fund is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building an inclusive workplace. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by law. We strongly encourage applications from individuals who reflect the communities we serve.

How to Apply

Please send a cover letter and resume to:

andrea@mnisotafund.org