Chief Operating Officer

Job Description

Job Description

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a key member of the Executive Leadership Team and the organization’s primary steward of operational excellence, infrastructure, and cross-functional integration. In close partnership with the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Program Officer, the COO ensures that people, systems, policies, and administrative functions support high-quality program delivery and measurable outcomes across Our House’s integrated two-generation model. The COO owns how the organization runs, enabling program leaders to focus on what we deliver and how well we deliver it, and builds the scalable systems and internal controls that will carry Our House into its next phase of operational maturity and expanded impact.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Organizational Leadership & Strategy

• Serve as a core member of the Executive Leadership Team and the CEO’s principal operations partner, translating strategic priorities into executable systems and workflows.
• Lead organization-wide planning for operational readiness, capacity building, and growth, establishing clear accountability, decision-rights, and operating rhythms across departments.
• Develop and manage operational KPIs and performance metrics, and report on progress to the CEO and Executive Leadership Team.
• Lead cross-functional change initiatives, including the internal communication staff need to understand and adopt change.

Operations, Administration & Technology

• Oversee all administrative and operational functions, including facilities, IT and systems, procurement, risk management, and internal policies.
• Standardize processes and policy implementation across programs and sites to drive consistency, efficiency, and compliance.
• Manage physical assets, program spaces, leases, and vendor contracts across Our House campuses.
• Oversee IT infrastructure, cybersecurity readiness, and systems integration, and maintain a technology roadmap that guides investments and supports growth.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives and ensure operational preparedness for audits, site visits, funder reviews, and regulatory oversight.

Human Resources & Talent

• Lead and partner with the HR Director to strengthen talent systems, including recruitment, onboarding, performance management, compensation design, and retention.
• Build talent development pipelines, strengthen supervision practices, and enhance employee engagement and leadership development.
• Ensure HR policies comply with applicable employment laws, reflect best practices, and carry through to day-to-day management practices.

Financial & Systems Partnership

• Collaborate with the Chief Financial Officer to align financial systems, reporting, and internal controls with operational needs, forecasting, and scale.
• Support budget development, workforce planning, and resource allocation from an operational feasibility and sustainability standpoint.

Cross-Functional Integration

• Serve as the primary integrator across Programs, Finance, and Development, clarifying ownership, eliminating silos, and defining escalation pathways.
• Partner with the Chief Program Officer and Senior Directors to ensure operational systems support program excellence, program scaling, and outcomes.
• Partner with the Chief Development Officer to align administrative systems with donor relations, CRM oversight, and fundraising logistics.

Risk Management & Compliance

• Oversee organizational risk management, workplace safety protocols, and internal controls.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations, and proactively mitigate operational risks tied to growth and organizational change.

Board & External Engagement

• Serve on relevant Board committees as assigned.
• Provide operational analysis to the Board and leadership, and support the CEO in communicating organizational capacity and readiness to funders and partners.

Supervisory

• Supervises assigned direct reports, including leadership of Human Resources, IT/Technology, Facilities, and Operations.
• Completes performance evaluations, sets clear goals, and builds the leadership capacity of direct reports through coaching and professional development.

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exclusive or exhaustive list of all job functions that an employee in this position may be asked to perform. Duties and responsibilities can be changed, expanded, reduced, or delegated by management to meet the business needs of Our House.

Qualifications:

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, human resources, management, or a related field required.
• Advanced degree (MBA, MPA, MHA, or related field) preferred.

Experience

• At least 5 years of progressively responsible operational leadership experience required; 8 or more years preferred.
• Demonstrated success leading operations in a complex, multi-program nonprofit, healthcare, or human services organization.
• Experience scaling systems and teams in a $10M+ organization or comparable environment.
• Strong track record of cross-functional leadership and organizational integration.
• Experience supporting compliance-heavy environments (clinical, housing, early childhood education, government-funded, or regulated services strongly preferred).
• Experience implementing scalable HR and technology systems, leading change, and strategic planning preferred.

Schedule Requirements:

• Monday through Friday during standard business hours, based in Atlanta, GA, with regular presence across Our House campuses and program sites.
• Occasional evening and weekend availability required to support events, deadlines, and organizational priorities.

Skills:

• Systems Thinking: Ability to design and manage structures that scale with growth.
• Operational Rigor: Strong attention to detail paired with strategic judgment.
• Leadership & Influence: Ability to lead through collaboration, clarity, and accountability.
• Change Management: Comfort leading organizations through growth, transition, and complexity.
• Analytical Thinking: Uses data, KPIs, and performance metrics to inform decisions and measure results.
• Emotional Intelligence: Builds trust and credibility across departments and leadership levels.
• Communication: Clear, direct, and effective communicator with staff, leadership, and the Board.
• Mission Alignment: Deep commitment to Our House’s mission and values.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with integrity and discretion.

Success Indicators (First 12–18 Months):

• Refined internal operational systems with measurable KPIs.
• Improved talent management and HR infrastructure.
• Consolidated technology roadmap and stronger cybersecurity posture.
• Clear ownership and alignment across Finance, Programs, and Development.
• Measurable reductions in operational inefficiencies.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to sit for extended periods and to use a computer and standard office equipment for prolonged periods.
• Ability to travel between Our House campuses and program sites.
• Ability to walk facilities and program spaces to assess conditions, safety, and operational needs.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 25 pounds occasionally.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple priorities simultaneously.

Health & Background Requirements:

• Must satisfactorily complete a pre-employment background check, including any checks required under state child care licensing or funder requirements.
• Must comply with any health screenings or vaccinations required by Our House or other regulatory agencies for staff working at program sites.

Work Environment:

• Team-oriented environment with regular communication across departments and leadership levels.
• Fast-paced, collaborative, and mission-driven, supporting both internal staff and organizational initiatives.
• Work is performed primarily in an office setting, with regular time in early childhood education, shelter, and healthcare program environments.

Salary Statement:

The estimated salary range reflects an anticipated range for this position. The actual salary offered is determined by considering each candidate's knowledge, skills, abilities, years of relevant experience, specific and unique skills, level of education attained, and certifications or other professional licenses held.