Chief Operating Officer

The Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA) seeks a Chief Operating Officer (COO) to join its executive leadership team. The COO will provide strategic leadership and oversight of core operations functions, including HR/People, IT, Facilities, Capital Planning, and the systems and infrastructure that nurture this vibrant and diverse community-based organization serving the Portland metro area’s Native community. As NAYA continues to grow in complexity, scale, and geographic footprint, the COO will play a central role in strengthening the organization’s capacity for the future. The heart of NAYA is its 10-acre campus situated on Neerchokikoo, a former Chinook trading and fishing village site, that now houses NAYA’s administrative offices, the Many Nations Academy, a community garden, and gathering spaces for programs, youth, and Elders. In addition to the main campus in northeast Portland, NAYA has housing and program locations across Portland, Clackamas County, and Vancouver, Washington, and is structured as 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and LLC entities. The COO supervises a team of 3 direct reports, leads a department of 15 FTEs, and supports an organization-wide budget of $23M and 170 employees.

The ideal COO is a strategic leader who pairs systematic thinking with a relational approach. They can see the big picture while ensuring that complex initiatives move forward with clear ownership, realistic timelines, strong coordination, and accountability. They anticipate challenges before they become urgent, nurture people and culture, and build the infrastructure necessary to support NAYA’s continued growth and long-term sustainability. The COO will work closely with the CEO and C-Suite to strengthen organizational alignment, advance strategic priorities, and create the conditions for NAYA’s people and programs to thrive.