About us
Varda AG is proud to establish a Not-for-Profit Foundation in Italy dedicated to promoting and expanding the work of its Soil Hive platform (www.soilhive.ag), which seeks to enhance soil data accessibility and foster sustainable agricultural practices worldwide.
The Foundation will act as a key player in scaling Soil Hive’s impact across the agricultural sector, aligning with Varda’s mission to accelerate the transition towards a nature-positive food system thanks to data-driven solutions.

Job Summary
We are looking for an experienced and highly motivated Senior Operations and Administrative Manager to lead the foundation’s operational strategy and administration. This role will manage relationships with service providers (e.g., payroll, bookkeeping, legal), oversee financial and administrative reporting, and facilitate internal and external communications. You will play a critical role in ensuring our daily operations run smoothly, while supporting the foundation’s long-term impact and growth.

Responsibilities

• Act as the main point of contact for payroll, bookkeeping, HR, and legal service providers.
• Coordinate contracts and ensure services are delivered efficiently.
• Provide constructive feedback and ensure high performance from providers.
• Prepare financial, operational, and strategic reports for the Board and donors.
• Collaborate with finance and program teams to gather necessary data.
• Ensure full compliance with Italian nonprofit regulations.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities and explore financial incentives.
• Ensure clear, seamless communication across all departments.
• Work with external partners to manage public relations and align messaging with our mission.
• Draft and review documents, press releases, and other communications.
• Maintain strong relationships with donors by providing regular project updates.
• Support donor engagement by preparing presentations and reports.

Profile

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Nonprofit Management, Finance, Communications, or a related field. A master’s degree is preferred.

• Excellent organizational and multitasking abilities with keen attention to detail.

• Strong communication skills in both Italian and English (written and verbal).

• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Power Point) and financial management tools.

• Knowledge of Italian nonprofit regulations.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively within diverse teams.

• Comfortable working autonomously in a fast-paced, dynamic startup environment.

• Fluency in Italian and English is required.

Experience

• 5+ years in operations or administrative management, preferably in the nonprofit sector in Italy.

• Proven experience managing service providers (payroll, bookkeeping, legal).

• Track record of preparing reports for senior management and stakeholders.