Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

The Chief Operating Officer serves as the organization’s senior operational and programmatic executive, responsible for overall execution, organizational performance, and internal management. Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, the Chief Operating Officer ensures that Board-approved strategy is translated into high-quality programs, strong operational systems, and measurable impact.

The Chief Operating Officer oversees all day-to-day functions of the organization, including program delivery, staff leadership, operational infrastructure, and organizational administration. This role serves as the lead executive responsible for internal operations and organizational execution.

The Chief Operating Officer works in close partnership with the organization’s President and Founder, who serves as the organization’s primary external leader and public-facing representative, with a focus on fundraising, strategic relationships, visibility, and external affairs. While both roles report to the Board of Directors, the Chief Operating Officer maintains primary responsibility for internal leadership, operational management, and organizational performance.

Success in this role requires a collaborative partnership between the President, and Board of Directors to ensure strong alignment between organizational strategy, external positioning, fundraising, and operational execution. The Chief Operating Officer is ultimately accountable for ensuring that the organization operates effectively, programs achieve measurable outcomes, and systems are in place to support sustainable growth and long-term impact.

Key Responsibilities

Organizational Leadership & Execution

• Serve as the organization's lead executive for internal management, operations, and program execution.
• Translate Board-approved strategy into actionable plans, timelines, and deliverables.
• Ensure organizational alignment around priorities, performance goals, and outcomes.
• Maintain full accountability for day-to-day operations and organizational performance.
• Provide regular reporting to the Board of Directors, in coordination with the President as appropriate, on program outcomes, operational health, organizational risks, and strategic execution.

Program Strategy, Oversight & Impact

• Oversee the full lifecycle of program design, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure all programs are aligned with mission, responsive to community needs, and achieving measurable outcomes.
• Establish and monitor KPIs and performance benchmarks across all program areas.
• Drive program innovation, including piloting and scaling new models.
• Ensure consistency, quality, and fidelity in program delivery across sites or initiatives.

Operational Management & Infrastructure

• Oversee all internal operations, including staffing, systems, workflows, and organizational processes.
• Build and maintain efficient infrastructure to support program delivery and organizational growth.
• Lead process improvement efforts to increase efficiency, accountability, and scalability.
• Oversee technology, data systems, and reporting tools to ensure real-time visibility into performance.
• Ensure strong internal communication and coordination across teams.

External Partnerships & Program Advancement

• Develop and manage relationships with external stakeholders is essential to program success, including government agencies, correctional systems, workforce partners, and community-based organizations.
• Negotiate and manage partnerships that directly impact program delivery and participant outcomes.
• Represent the organization in operational, programmatic, and cross-sector collaborations.
• Align external partnerships with internal capacity and strategic priorities.
• Ensure partnerships produce tangible results, not just visibility.

Team Leadership & Organizational Culture

• Hire, lead, and develop senior staff across programs and operations.
• Create a culture of accountability, execution, and continuous improvement.
• Establish clear roles, performance expectations, and management structures.
• Ensure staff are equipped, supported, and aligned to deliver results.
• Address performance challenges decisively and constructively.

Financial Oversight & Resource Allocation

• Partner with Finance leadership and the Board to develop and manage organizational and program budgets.
• Ensure responsible stewardship of resources and alignment of spending with strategic priorities.
• Monitor financial performance and adjust operations as needed to maintain sustainability.
• Oversee operational risk management and contingency planning.
• Ensure infrastructure and staffing models support current and future program needs.

Data, Performance & Accountability

• Build and oversee systems for tracking program outputs, outcomes, and organizational performance.
• Use data to drive decision-making, improve programs, and inform Board-level strategy.
• Ensure compliance with programmatic requirements tied to contracts, grants, and partnerships.
• Deliver clear, consistent reporting to the Board on progress, challenges, and opportunities.
• Foster a culture of learning, transparency, and results.

Requirements:

• 10+ years of senior leadership experience in operations, program management, or executive leadership.
• Proven experience running day-to-day operations and managing complex organizations or programs.
• Demonstrated success translating strategy into execution and measurable outcomes.
• Strong experience leading teams, building systems, and driving accountability.
• Experience collaborating with external partners, including government agencies and community-based organizations.
• Strong financial and operational acumen, including budget oversight.
• Ability to report to and work effectively with a Board of Directors.
• Exceptional leadership, decision-making, and communication skills.
  

Preferred

• Prior experience as Chief Operating Officer, Executive Director or equivalent senior leadership role.
• Background in nonprofit, social impact, workforce development, or criminal justice/reentry
• Experience managing government contracts and compliance requirements.
• Familiarity with continuous improvement frameworks (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma).

Benefits - We know how important this is to you:

Full-time employees are eligible on the 1st of the month following 60 days from your date of hire. We offer several medical plans that include both PPO and HMO’s, dental, vision, basic life insurance, voluntary life insurance, voluntary accident insurance, voluntary critical illness insurance, and voluntary hospital insurance. In addition, we offer “Will Preparation Services,” Employee Assistance Program, hearing discount program, worldwide travel assistance that includes emergency travel support services and identify theft assistance.

401K Retirement Plan:

Full-time employees that have completed 90 days of employment are eligible to participate in the plan. We provide employees with pre-taxed deferral contributions to your plan without company matching.

Paid Time Off (PTO):

PTO Is based on your years of service, along with paid holidays.

PHYSICAL ABILITIES & WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and functions of the role. The list of minimum essential functions is illustrative only and does not represent a comprehensive listing of all tasks and responsibilities.

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position (sitting or standing) for extended periods while working at a computer, attending meetings, or participating in board sessions.
• Ability to move about the office to engage with staff, attend meetings, and represent the organization at internal and external events.
• Must be able to communicate clearly in person, via phone, and through digital platforms.
• Occasional lifting of items up to 20 pounds , such as documents, laptops, or presentation materials.
• Must be able to visually review documents , digital screens, financial reports, and presentations for extended periods.
• Ability to participate in events , conferences, and site visits, which may require standing or walking for several hours.
• Must maintain the physical and mental stamina necessary to manage a demanding executive schedule, including extended work hours when required.

The Company is committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity and will not discriminate against an applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, age, physical or mental disability, veteran or military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state, or local law.

Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act as well as applicable state and local laws. A reasonable accommodation is a change in the way things are normally done which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on the Company. Please immediately inform the Company if you need assistance completing any forms or to otherwise participate in the application process.