Operations Manager

Location: Plovdiv
Often traveling.

Since 2013, Smokinya Foundation has been a laboratory for self-discovery and social change. We renovate old schools in rural villages (Mrachenik), coordinate international mobilities, and manage high-stakes European grants. We operate in a permanent state of VUCA.

We aren't looking for a "manager" to sit in a chair and delegate. We need an intelligent Doer –someone who can build the systems that turn chaos into impact.

• You ensure that our heart-centered vision has a rock-solid backbone.
• You manage backlogs, lead sprints, and maintain the "rhythm" of the office. You make sure the team stays accountable and the flow stays lean.
• You’ll identify funding and write technical grant applications. You must be comfortable with 4-5 hour stretches of "deep work"—mastering complex budget spreadsheets where every cent must be accounted for.
• One day you are optimizing our Slack/Canva/Workspace ecosystem; the next, you are in a village solving a logistical crisis for 50 international volunteers. You don't report problems—you report solutions.
• You represent us to donors and partners.
• You hate excuses. You take pride in meeting deadlines and "owning" your failures as much as your wins.
• You are a Google Workspace and spreadsheet ninja. You understand that digital tools are the only way to stay Agile.
• You can draft a high-level proposal in English and negotiate a supply contract in Bulgarian.
• You have 3+ years of experience in operations. You have the heart of a philanthropist but the mind of a COO.

What’s In It For You?

• Freedom and accountability.
• You will be coached in Agile People Management and have access to international training.
• A stable foundation contract + bonuses tied directly to performance and grant success.

How to Apply

If you are looking for a "safe" 9-to-5, this isn't it. If you want to build a world that works for everyone using your brain and your hands:

• Submit your CV.
• Submit a Cover Letter: Skip the templates. Tell us about a time you managed a project in a VUCA environment where you had to lead a team through a crisis. How did you use your mindset to fix it?

Deadline: 28 FEB 2026
Final Selection: 15 MAR 2026

Fixed monthly salary + bonuses tied to performance and results.
Project based time-limited contract based on the grant funding rules and timeline.

Equal Opportunity Statement
Smokinya Foundation is committed to equality, inclusion, and diversity. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and life paths. If you bring the skills, values, and energy—we want to hear from you.

GDPR Notice: Your data will be used solely for recruitment purposes and treated with full confidentiality.