Business Operations Manager

Business Operations Manager

Protects the Organization

The North Carolina Azalea Festival | Wilmington, North Carolina

Full-Time | Exempt | Primarily On-Site | Wilmington, NC

For nearly 80 years, The North Carolina Azalea Festival has brought people together to celebrate the history, hospitality, culture, music, and community that make Wilmington extraordinary.

Today, the Festival is more than five days in April. We are a year-round civic organization powered by volunteers, community partners, sponsors, and a professional leadership team working together to steward an iconic North Carolina tradition while building what comes next.

As we enter our 80th Festival year, we are investing in the people, systems, technology, and infrastructure necessary to support the Festival's continued growth and long-term sustainability.

We are seeking a Business Operations Manager who understands that exceptional experiences are built on exceptional operations.

This is the person who helps make everything else possible.

What You’ll Do

The Business Operations Manager leads the systems and processes that keep the Festival financially sound, operationally efficient, and organizationally protected.

Financial Stewardship

Manage budget administration, accounts payable and receivable, financial reporting and reconciliation, cash management, audit coordination, financial records, and internal controls to ensure accuracy, transparency, and responsible stewardship.

Human Resources

Administer employee records, payroll coordination, benefits, paid time off, employment documentation, and the onboarding and administration of seasonal employees.

Organizational Systems

Manage the Festival’s CRM, organizational data, technology platforms, workflow systems, and ticketing infrastructure while identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, integration, and automation.

Office Administration

Oversee day-to-day administrative operations, vendor administration, purchasing, facilities coordination, contracts, organizational records, office systems, and administrative deadlines.

Insurance & Risk Management

Administer organizational insurance policies, certificates of insurance, claims coordination, renewals, and risk documentation while working with brokers, vendors, and Festival Leadership to protect the organization and its assets.

Compliance & Governance

Coordinate regulatory reporting, required filings, corporate records, compliance deadlines, and governance documentation to support organizational accountability and nonprofit compliance.

At its core, this role builds and maintains the financial, administrative, and operational infrastructure that allows the Festival to operate with integrity, accountability, and efficiency year-round.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, accounting, finance, nonprofit management, organizational leadership, or a related field preferred
• Relevant professional experience in business operations, finance, administration, nonprofit management, or a related field
• Demonstrated experience managing financial and administrative systems
• Experience supporting budgets, accounts payable/receivable, financial reporting, or accounting processes
• Experience with human resources administration and/or employee benefits preferred
• Experience working in a nonprofit, event-based, hospitality, membership, civic, or community organization is a plus

Technical Skills

Candidates should demonstrate proficiency or strong working knowledge in areas including:

• QuickBooks Online or comparable accounting software
• CRM systems; HubSpot experience is preferred
• Google Workspace
• Spreadsheet management and financial reporting
• Digital records and document management
• Project and workflow management systems
• Ticketing, registration, or event-management platforms
• Technology administration and vendor coordination

Who we're looking for

The ideal candidate is highly organized, financially responsible, systems-minded, and comfortable managing multiple operational functions within a dynamic organization.

You may be a strong fit if you:

• See details others miss
• Enjoy creating order, structure, and repeatable processes
• Understand that strong financial controls protect both people and organizations
• Are comfortable working with numbers, systems, technology, and documentation
• Can manage confidential and sensitive information with discretion
• Think proactively about risk, deadlines, compliance, and organizational needs
• Can move comfortably between strategic projects and day-to-day administration
• Communicate clearly and professionally
• Enjoy improving systems rather than simply maintaining the status quo
• Work collaboratively while taking ownership of your responsibilities
• Remain composed when priorities shift or Festival season gets busy
• Believe accountability and hospitality can coexist

Someone who understands that strong systems create stronger organizations. Someone who values accuracy, accountability, efficiency, and continuous improvement. And someone who wants to help build the infrastructure behind one of North Carolina's most iconic celebrations.

Working Across the Festival

The Business Operations Manager works closely with the Executive Director and across the Festival Leadership Team.

The Executive Director establishes organizational strategy, priorities, and financial direction. The Business Operations Manager builds and maintains the operational infrastructure necessary to execute that vision responsibly.

This position also collaborates across departments to ensure that contracts, payments, purchasing, systems, technology, records, and administrative processes support the successful delivery of Festival programs and events.

This is not simply a bookkeeping or office-management position.

It is an organizational leadership role responsible for protecting the systems, resources, information, and processes that allow The North Carolina Azalea Festival to thrive.

The Rhythm of Festival Life

Working for the North Carolina Azalea Festival is not a traditional 9-to-5 experience.

January through April is our busiest time of year. Evenings, weekends, community appearances, committee meetings, sponsorship engagements, and event production are part of bringing the Festival to life.

The Festival Leadership Team is primarily office-based during Festival season, with greater flexibility during the off-season. 

Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $55,000–$65,000 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

The North Carolina Azalea Festival offers a comprehensive compensation and benefits package designed to recognize the unique rhythm of Festival work and support the long-term success of our team, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits
• Retirement planning
• Paid time off
• Paid holidays
• Extended Winter Holiday office closure
• Seasonal four-day workweek from Memorial Day through Labor Day
• Structured hybrid work flexibility during the off-season
• Professional development
• Leadership opportunities

The Festival’s PTO structure begins at 10 days annually for employees and progressively increases based on tenure and includes an annual Winter Holiday office closure.

How to Apply

Ready to help tell the story of what blooms next?

Qualified candidates should submit:

• A current resume
• A cover letter describing their interest in the position and the North Carolina Azalea Festival

Please email application materials to melissa@ncazaleafestival.org with the subject line:

Business Operations Manager Application – [Your Name]

Applications will be reviewed as received and the position will remain open until filled.