Head of Operations

Head of Operations (Director or VP) - $120,000 - $180,000

About Off the Grid

Off the Grid has been at the forefront of building food driven community spaces since 2010. Best known for hosting some of the Bay Area's biggest recurring night markets, Off the Grid has evolved into a dynamic placemaking platform that unlocks the value of public and private spaces for our customers through blending curated food experiences, temporary event production, and experiential elements. We're proud to work with hundreds of diverse food entrepreneurs who we empower to maintain focus on their craft and growing their businesses through our public markets and catering events.

The Role

As VP of Operations, you'll be the strategic architect of operational excellence across all business verticals. You'll lead with extreme ownership of outcomes while building the systems, culture, and team capabilities that enable Off the Grid to scale from thousands to millions of quality shifts annually.

This role combines high-level strategic thinking with hands-on execution across event operations, market management, catering production, human resources, vendor relations, and cross-functional team leadership.

This role is based in San Francisco, and is expected to work onsite 3-4 days per week, and may include travel to clients and market operations across the bay area as needed.

Essential Job Functions

Immediate Priorities (First 90 Days)

• Build comprehensive event execution systems: Create clear workflows for pre-event planning, day-of operations, and post-event follow-up
• Implement training programs: Establish systems to train team on brand standards and operational excellence
• Create accountability structures: Build management systems that maintain high standards while supporting team growth
• Improve stakeholder communication: Establish clear communication protocols that reduce defects and enable scaling

Strategic Leadership

• Drive operational strategy that supports scaling for new opportunities
• Evolve and improve existing brand standards over time
• Lead cross-functional initiatives with sales, marketing, and client success teams
• Build team culture focused on excellence, positivity, and continuous improvement

Operations Excellence

• Oversee all event operations including market curation, catering production, and client experience delivery
• Ensure brand standards execution across all touchpoints while maintaining our values of turnkey service, variety, and discovery
• Manage complex logistics including permitting, vendor coordination, equipment management, and on-site execution
• Drive continuous improvement in operational efficiency and client satisfaction scores

Team Leadership & Culture Building

• Lead and develop Market Producers, Catering Event Producers, and operations coordinators
• Build scalable management systems that maintain quality while increasing frequency of events
• Foster a culture of extreme ownership, transparency, and solution-oriented thinking
• Implement performance management systems that balance Quality Shifts, CSAT scores, and revenue/margin metrics

Systems & Process Innovation

• Design and implement operational systems that enable working smarter, not harder
• Build accountability frameworks for distributed team management and remote oversight
• Create training programs and standard operating procedures that maintain consistency at scale
• Establish metrics and reporting systems for operational performance tracking

Required Qualifications

Leadership Excellence

• 5+ years of operations leadership with proven experience building high-performing teams
• Expert at engaged communication - asks proactive questions and communicates up while taking action
• Experience evolving standards and creating accountability structures that drive excellence
• Track record of implementing systematic improvements in complex operational environments
• Operations Expertise
• Event planning/execution experience required (any industry - festivals, conferences, hospitality, corporate events)
• Proven ability to build end-to-end operational workflows and training systems
• Experience managing stakeholder relationships and delivering projects on budget
• Systems builder who focuses on attention to detail and reducing operational defects

Preferred Qualifications

Industry Knowledge

• Passion for the experience economy and community-building through food
• Understanding of hospitality standards and client experience design
• Experience working with small businesses and entrepreneurial ecosystems
• Product-oriented mindset with focus on continuous improvement

Communication & Leadership Style

• Engaged communicator who asks proactive questions rather than making assumptions
• Able to communicate up to leadership while simultaneously taking action on priorities
• Provides direction and coaching to help people grow in their roles
• Creates positive team culture while maintaining high standards and accountability

Compensation & Benefits

Salary & Benefits

• Salary Range: $120,000 - $180,000 annually
• Comprehensive benefits package
• Professional development and conference attendance support

Impact & Growth

• Lead operations for a mission-driven company supporting food entrepreneurs and building community
• Direct influence on scaling from thousands to millions of annual quality shifts
• Opportunity to shape the future of the experience economy in food and events

Culture & Values

• Work with a team that values transparency, discovery, and sustainability
• Be part of a culture that encourages bringing solutions alongside problems
• Environment that supports both working smarter and delivering exceptional experiences

How to Apply

If you're passionate about operations excellence, community building, and the future of food experiences, we want to hear from you. Apply now!

Include specific examples of how you've scaled operations, built high-performing teams, and created systems that drive measurable business outcomes.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Off the Grid is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, genetic information, or veteran status. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Fair Chance Employment

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment.

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*This job description is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. Off the Grid reserves the right to revise this job description at any time.*