Business Operations Manager presso Work with VTDigger

The Business Operations Manager oversees the administrative and human resources functions of VTDigger, ensuring efficient day-to-day operations and alignment with organizational values and compliance standards. This role serves as the primary point of contact for office operations and HR administration, coordinating closely with Accounting, Development Operations Manager, other organization managers and the leadership team.

This position requires a proactive, organized individual who thrives in a dynamic nonprofit newsroom environment and values collaboration, confidentiality, and operational excellence.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Human Resources & Administration

• Serve as the primary administrator for HRIS systems (Rippling), including recruiting, employee onboarding/off-boarding, benefits administration, employee review cycle, time-off and leave management and personnel file recordkeeping.
• Serve as the critical main point of contact for the employee union, including reporting, and dues collection and remittance.
• Partner with the Accounting Manager to process payroll accurately and on schedule.
• Support leadership in the development and communication of HR policies and compliance documentation.
• Maintain employee handbook, job descriptions, employee files and ensure compliance with federal and state employment laws.
• Support the newsroom leadership team with HR coordination as needed, ensuring alignment with existing structures and consistency in documentation and communication.
• Leads collective bargaining and labor relations as the primary HR liaison with union representatives, managing negotiations, grievances, and contract administration to ensure compliance and positive labor–management relations.
• Provide suggested compliance training to the leadership team and organize the same for all employees.
• Prepare and distribute employee engagement surveys, collecting results and preparing presentations to the staff.
• Support the all-teams monthly meetings with HR and operations updates.
• Contribute to employee recognition efforts.

Office Operations

• Act as the office point of contact for all administrative and facility-related needs.
• Manage day-to-day office operations, ensuring a welcoming, efficient, and well-organized work environment.
• Maintain conference room equipment
• Check and process mail three times each week, including:
• • Scanning and distributing correspondence as needed.
  • Processing check donations for entry into Salesforce (via Dev Ops Manager) and QuickBooks Online (via Accounting).
  • Preparing physical checks for deposit and deposit them
  • Manage vendor relationships related to contracts, insurance, landlord and property management, office supplies, equipment (laptops and cell phones), and serve as the point of contact with VTDigger’s IT vendor.
  • Track and maintain office inventory, including technology and equipment assignments.
• Manage software access and licenses

Finance & Coordination Support

• Collaborate with Accounting on benefits billing, payroll adjustments, and related reporting.
• Support administrative functions related to financial transactions, reimbursements, and compliance documentation.
• Maintain confidentiality in handling employee and organizational financial information.
  
  Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Coordinate with Newsroom, and Revenue Engagement & Operations teams to ensure smooth operational workflows.
• Participate in all-staff and REO team meetings to provide updates, feedback, and process improvements.
• Assist with communication and logistics related to organizational initiatives, policy rollouts, and internal/external employee events.

Leadership & Supervisory Responsibilities

Supervisory Responsibilities

None

Position Requirements

Skills and Experience

• 5+ years of experience in business operations, office management, or HR administration.
• Strong working knowledge of HRIS (preferably Rippling), payroll processes, and benefits administration.
• Solid understanding of employment law, employee relations, and labor relations best practices.
• Experience serving as an HR liaison in a multi-department organization; ability to handle sensitive issues with discretion and fairness.
• Familiarity with accounting and finance coordination (QuickBooks, invoice processing, expense tracking).
• Excellent organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in Google Workspace, Slack, and cloud-based systems.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and professionalism.
• Experience working in a nonprofit or media organization preferred.
• Technically proficient and savvy with software and systems

Working Conditions

Work is performed both in our Montpelier office and remotely, such as from a home office location. The ideal candidate will reside within a 30-45 mile radius of the Montpelier office with the ability to commute to the office 3 days per week, as this role is responsible for office space management and the mail needs to be processed three days per week.

Physical Demands

Work involves accomplishing most duties from a seated or standing position. There is potential for eye strain from reading detailed materials on a computer screen. There is some lifting, moving and carrying duties within the office. 

VTDigger, a project of Vermont Journalism Trust, LTD is a proud equal opportunity employer. We work diligently to recruit a broad pool of candidates and to hire and promote qualified individuals whose personal experiences, characteristics, and talents reasonably reflect the diversity of the communities served by VTDigger. Our equal employment opportunities apply to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, reduction in force, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation and training. We especially encourage members of communities that are traditionally underrepresented and misrepresented in the media to apply to join our team, including those who are Black, Indigenous or people of color; women; LGBTQ+ people, and people with disabilities.