Operations and People Systems for Small, Mission-Driven Teams
Real, tangible solutions built for your team’s day-to-day operations.
Hi, I’m Maura!
I help small organizations build clear, usable operations and people systems - especially at the early stages, when things are moving quickly and systems are still being formed.
I’m a fractional operations and people systems consultant for small, mission-driven teams, with 20+ years of experience across operations and HR, including leadership at the director level. I also have a background in the performing arts, which helps shape my collaborative, real-world approach to systems that actually work.
I help small organizations build clear, usable operations and people systems - especially at the early stages, when things are moving quickly and systems are still being formed.
I’m a fractional operations and people systems consultant for small, mission-driven teams, with 20+ years of experience across operations and HR, including leadership at the director level. I also have a background in the performing arts, which helps shape my collaborative, real-world approach to systems that actually work.
WHAT I HELP WITH
Practical, right-sized systems for early-stage organizations, arts teams, and nonprofits.
I design and implement the internal systems that help small teams stay organized, aligned, and not overwhelmed. The outcome is systems and practices that reduce confusion, support your team, and make the day-to-day easier to run. My work spans hands-on implementation and higher-level operational structure, depending on what’s needed. This usually shows up in a few key areas:
I design and implement the internal systems that help small teams stay organized, aligned, and not overwhelmed. The outcome is systems and practices that reduce confusion, support your team, and make the day-to-day easier to run. My work spans hands-on implementation and higher-level operational structure, depending on what’s needed. This usually shows up in a few key areas:
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Operations & Systems Setup
• Operational Structure • Roles, Ownership & Accountability • Workflows + Documentation • Decision-Making & Communication Flow People Systems & HR Foundations
• HR Foundations for Small Teams • Employee Lifecycle (Hiring thru Offboarding) • Performance Management & Feedback • Policies, Compliance & Documentation |
Administrative & Project Systems
• Project Coordination & Tracking • Knowledge & Document Management • Back-Office Systems + Tools • Information Organization & Accessibility Fractional Ops Support
• Founder & Leadership Partnership • Stabilizing Growing or Changing Teams • Ongoing Operations & HR Support • Operational Planning & Prioritization |
Most work falls into a few engagement types (fractional, project-based, advisory). You can learn more here: Ways to Work Together
Maybe things are running smoothly on the surface, but there’s still that underlying feeling that something’s being missed, even if you’re not sure what. That’s a common place to start. We can figure it out together in an initial conversation. You can use the form below to set up a call.
WHO THIS IS FOR
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I work best with:
• Arts organizations and cultural projects • Small nonprofits and teams • Solo founders and early-stage businesses • Orgs without dedicated ops or HR staff |
This is usually where things feel like:
• “We’re doing a lot, but it’s not very organized yet” • “We need systems, but we don’t want corporate systems” • “Everything works… until someone leaves or gets busy” • "We need to be compliant and we don't know where to start" |
MY APPROACH
I focus on real, tangible solutions with practical implementation. Good operations require ongoing clarity, care, and accountability, not constant reinvention.
I build systems that are:
• Right-sized — built for your organization as it is
• Usable — designed for real humans, not ideal conditions
• Clear — fewer assumptions, more documentation
• Sustainable — works without constant reinvention
• Right-sized — built for your organization as it is
• Usable — designed for real humans, not ideal conditions
• Clear — fewer assumptions, more documentation
• Sustainable — works without constant reinvention
My approach is shaped by years of working in collaborative, production-based environments where planning and improvisation have to coexist in real time. I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all operations. I’m not coming in with a preset system - I’m bringing experience across many organizations and translating that into something that works for yours.
ABOUT ME
I bring over 20 years of experience in operations, HR, and organizational systems across nonprofits, arts organizations, and small businesses. I’ve worked across the full spectrum of operations, from hands-on systems implementation to leading people operations and supporting organizational structure at the director level.
My work has included building operations from scratch, stabilizing fast-moving teams, and supporting organizations through growth, transition, and change. I’m often brought in when things are working, but not clearly or sustainably, and there’s a need to create structure without overcomplicating things.
I also have a long background in the performing arts, which continues to shape how I approach this work: collaboratively, adaptively, and with a focus on systems that work in practice, not just on paper.
My work has included building operations from scratch, stabilizing fast-moving teams, and supporting organizations through growth, transition, and change. I’m often brought in when things are working, but not clearly or sustainably, and there’s a need to create structure without overcomplicating things.
I also have a long background in the performing arts, which continues to shape how I approach this work: collaboratively, adaptively, and with a focus on systems that work in practice, not just on paper.
WHAT IT'S LIKE TO WORK WITH ME
When I wrapped a contract as Interim Business Manager with Growth Network Podcasts, the team created a short audio “reference letter” reflecting on our time working together. It’s a candid look at how I show up inside an organization and the kind of impact I tend to have.
▶️ Listen to the 3-minute client reference
A few things they shared:
“She’s been the glue that holds everything together… while also making us stronger and better able to work with each other.”
“A driving force for systems and operational processes, and just a joy to work with.”
“She has a way of grounding big ideas in reality and building systems that actually hold.”
— Growth Network Podcasts team
If you’re curious about what this kind of work could look like in your organization, I’m always happy to start with a conversation.
▶️ Listen to the 3-minute client reference
A few things they shared:
“She’s been the glue that holds everything together… while also making us stronger and better able to work with each other.”
“A driving force for systems and operational processes, and just a joy to work with.”
“She has a way of grounding big ideas in reality and building systems that actually hold.”
— Growth Network Podcasts team
If you’re curious about what this kind of work could look like in your organization, I’m always happy to start with a conversation.
LET'S WORK TOGETHERIf you’re building something meaningful and want your operations to feel clearer, calmer, and more sustainable, I’d love to hear from you!
If you’d like more detail first, you can explore ways to work together. Maura Murphy-Barrosse, SHRM-SCP
Evanston, IL | Serving clients locally and remotely |
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