Elections Operations Manager

Career Guide

An Elections Operations Manager plans and runs the day to day work that makes voting possible. They coordinate people, equipment, locations, schedules, and procedures so elections are secure, accessible, and delivered on time.

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Key Responsibilities

Build and manage an election operations plan and timeline
Coordinate polling place setup and logistics
Recruit, schedule, and support poll workers
Oversee training programs for election staff and poll workers
Manage ballots, voting equipment, and election supplies
Create clear procedures and checklists for election day operations
Coordinate with local government partners and community sites
Monitor operations during early voting and election day and resolve issues quickly
Support chain of custody practices for ballots and equipment
Track budgets, invoices, and vendor deliverables
Lead after action reviews and implement improvements for future elections

Top Skills for Success

Project Planning

Scheduling

Logistics Coordination

People Management

Training Delivery

Process Improvement

Risk Management

Crisis Response

Stakeholder Communication

Public Service Mindset

Election Administration Knowledge

Accessibility Compliance

Records Management

Chain of Custody Procedures

Polling Place Operations

Poll Worker Operations

Vendor Management

Budget Management

Career Progression

Can Lead To

Senior Elections Operations Manager

Deputy Elections Director

Elections Director

Operations Director

Emergency Management Manager

Transition Opportunities

Program Manager Compliance Manager Training Manager Government Operations Manager

Civic Technology Operations Manager

Common Skill Gaps

Often Missing Skills

Budget ForecastingVendor ContractingData ReportingWorkflow DocumentationChange ManagementAccessibility PlanningScenario PlanningProcess Auditing

Development SuggestionsBuild a simple operations dashboard, document key workflows with checklists, practice tabletop drills for likely disruptions, and seek exposure to procurement, budgeting, and accessibility reviews during non election periods.

Market Intelligence Report

Elections Operations Manager is part of the Business Operations category.Explore our market intelligence report to see how AI and hiring demand are shifting for these roles.

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Salary & Demand

Median Salary Range

Entry LevelUSD 55,000 to 75,000

Mid LevelUSD 75,000 to 105,000

Senior LevelUSD 105,000 to 145,000

Growth Trend

Steady demand, with spikes around major election cycles and growing focus on operational readiness, voter access, and process reliability.

Companies Hiring

Major Employers

County Election OfficesCity Election OfficesState Election AgenciesElection Services VendorsGovernment Consulting FirmsNonprofit Voting Support Organizations

Industry Sectors

GovernmentPublic AdministrationCivic ServicesProfessional ServicesNonprofit

Recommended Next Steps

Create a portfolio of operational artifacts such as timelines, staffing plans, and checklists

Learn the local election calendar, key deadlines, and operational roles in your jurisdiction

Volunteer as a poll worker or site lead to gain frontline experience

Strengthen vendor and budget skills by partnering with finance and procurement teams

Develop a crisis playbook covering staffing shortages, equipment issues, and site disruptions

Pursue training in project management, process improvement, and public sector operations