Administrative Officer

The Administrative Officer is a full-time, permanent staff position. Applications accepted until filled.

Position Summary: We are seeking a detail-oriented and proactive Administrative Officer to oversee and support various operational functions within The Great Northern. The ideal candidate will have experience in managing administrative tasks, providing HR support, liaising between departments, implementing effective systems and processes, and supporting leadership and senior management. This role is crucial for ensuring smooth operations across internal communications, file management, inventory tracking, customer support, tech management, scheduling, contract distribution, reporting and more.

The Great Northern is a fast-growing nonprofit organization dedicated to celebrating Minnesota’s cold, creative winters through programming that invigorates mind and body. In an era of changing climate that threatens our signature season, we seek to create community, inspire action, and share the resilient spirit of the North with the world. Our work is fueled by passionate individuals committed to making a meaningful difference in the world. 

Reports to: Executive Director 

Location: This position is hybrid in-person/remote with a flexible schedule. The candidate should be available for in-person staff meetings and weekly work at our shared office space.

Duties and responsibilities will include:

Business Management

• Oversee company insurance policies and claims

• Ensure compliance with all business filing requirements

• Coordinate event COI needs and requests

• Manage office space and storage facilities

• Ensure that office supplies and equipment are well-maintained and stocked

Systems and Process Management

• Implement and maintain an inventory tracking system for merch and supplies

• Support ED in process and system improvements and implementation of best practices

• Research and recommend technology solutions to enhance operational efficiency

• Implement new technologies and ensure team training and adoption

Tech Management (Hardware & Software)

• Oversee the maintenance of all IT systems, hardware, and software

• Coordinate tech support for troubleshooting and upgrades

• Identify and recommend technology solutions to improve efficiency

Administrative Oversight

• Manage scheduling of meetings, appointments, and events

• Coordinate logistics for meetings, including venue, equipment, and materials

• Develop and maintain an organized filing system for both physical and digital files

• Ensure secure and efficient storage and retrieval of documents

• Create, review, and distribute contracts, ensuring timely processing and compliance

• Manage the contract lifecycle and maintain accurate records

Gift and Financial Reporting

• Track and manage gift receipts and acknowledgments

• Coordinate with the development team to ensure timely and accurate processing

• Prepare and submit final financial reports for grants with bookkeeper

Desired qualifications and skills:

• Degree in business administration, operations management, or equivalent relevant/transferable work experience

• Minimum of 3+ years of experience in an operations or administrative role

• Understanding of legal contracts and financial reporting

• Excellent organizational and time management skills

• Proficiency in office software and familiarity with inventory and project management tools (e.g., Google Workspace, Asana, Slack, Canva)

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities effectively

• Commitment to the mission and values of The Great Northern

• Entrepreneurial spirit with a willingness to roll up sleeves and dive into tasks as needed

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, with a proactive and resourceful approach to problem-solving

Salary and Benefits: Starting salary $50,000 - 55,000

• Accrued Paid Time Off (PTO)

• Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA)

• Annual Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA)

• Professional Development Stipend

• 4 day workweek April-August

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter outlining their relevant experience and qualifications to hello@thegreatnorthernfestival.com. Please include "Administrative Officer" in the subject line. 

The Great Northern overview: The Great Northern is a platform that sparks conversations and cultivates community through diverse programming, which draws inspiration from Minnesota’s cold, creative winters—engaging the mind and invigorating the body and spirit. In an era of changing climate that threatens our signature season, we bring people together, inspire action, and share the resilient spirit of the North with the world.

Each year, The Great Northern (TGN) shines a light on Minneapolis and Saint Paul in late January and early February, drawing national attention to the region during its coldest time of year. The festival offers events including outdoor experiences, world premiere performances, food events, site-specific art, panels and speakers, films and regional craft, in addition to commissioned writing, storytelling, and partnerships with local and national institutions. 

While the festival invokes joy and celebration, it also highlights an existential threat to winter: climate change. There is no place on earth unaffected by warming weather, and our own region has seen some of its beloved traditions diminished and its environment compromised. In celebrating winter, the festival is also a call to action. To that end, we have expanded the festival’s impact by presenting a broader range of programming focused on climate change, the richness of our winter arts scene, and diverse perspectives on how we, as a community, embrace winter. TGN views its arts, outdoor, and cultural programming as a powerful strategy for raising awareness about our changing climate, with the belief that visceral experiences like music, art, storytelling, and immersion in nature help attendees make emotional connections and can successfully shift mindsets toward understanding and adopting solutions. 

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Great Northern is a dedicated equal opportunity employer, deeply committed to reflecting the rich diversity of the Twin Cities community in its workforce, programming, and partnerships. We actively foster a dynamic work environment that values and promotes inclusion, respect, entrepreneurship, innovation, community, and service. We strongly encourage applications from all qualified individuals, with particular emphasis on welcoming those from underrepresented groups, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, and religion. We are committed to equitable hiring practices and the continuous pursuit of a workplace that truly embraces diversity in all its forms.