Chief Operating Officer

Position Title: Chief Operating Officer

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Office Location: Oakland, CA (hybrid role, up to 40% remote)

Starting Compensation: $100,000- $120,000 (Depending on Experience)

About Us

YouthBeat is a registered 501c(3) organization, providing free digital media training to underserved Oakland youth. Our mission is to help students achieve their dreams and succeed — in school, career, and life.

Students earn school credit for our courses and can advance into professional internships and apprenticeships, gaining real-world experience producing video and photography content for local companies and nonprofits.

We operate in close partnership with the Oakland Unified School District (“OUSD”), and education station KDOL, using OUSD studio space, equipment and offices to deliver our programs.

Position Summary

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) oversees the day-to-day functions of the organization, aligning teams and departments to maximize social impact and cultivating a positive organizational culture that promotes wellness and connection among staff. The COO is responsible for operations, finance, human resources, and administration, ensuring the organization operates efficiently and effectively in support of YouthBeat’s mission and strategic goals.

The COO reports to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and works closely with them to advance the organization’s mission and long‑term sustainability– driving operational strategy and execution while adhering to YouthBeat’s core values of Youth-Centeredness, Adaptability, Honest Communication, and Growth Mindset.

This is an exciting opportunity for a mission-driven leader to help guide a high-performing nonprofit at a pivotal stage of growth, deepening its impact on Oakland’s youth while strengthening the systems and partnerships that make that impact possible.

Key Responsibilities:

Organizational Operations

• Develop and implement operational policies and procedures to ensure the efficient and effective functioning of the organization as a whole.
• Ensure compliance with all legal, regulatory, and ethical standards and requirements.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement across all departments.
• Serve as a proxy for the CEO when needed, bridging departments and overseeing internal operations across the organization.

Program & Strategic Support

• Support senior staff to develop program models and community partnerships that ensure continuous program quality improvement.
• Ensure that impact metrics, grant/compliance deliverables, and quality standards are consistently met.
• Work closely with the CEO and senior leadership team to develop and implement strategic plans and initiatives that support the organization’s mission and goals.
• Work collaboratively with fundraising, communications, and program teams to ensure that external facing efforts align with internal operations and advance YouthBeat’s mission

Finance, Human Resources & Administration

• Develop, manage and report on budgets, forecasts, cashflows and other reports as necessary to ensure the financial fidelity of YouthBeat and to assist the CEO in keeping the Board apprised of the current and future financial health of YouthBeat.
• Help develop a sustainable financial model for YouthBeat that ensures sufficient financial reserves are maintained.
• Practice sound fiscal management, develop strong internal controls, and ensure regulatory compliance at a local, state and federal level in all areas of YouthBeat- including oversight of the annual budgeting process.
• Oversee all organizational operations, including insurance, contracts, vendor relationships, technology systems, facilities and administrative processes.
• Oversee all aspects of human resources functions, including talent acquisition and hiring, professional development, performance management, appraisals and compensation reviews.
• Maintain compliance with all nonprofit financial, legal and reporting requirements.
• Lead and manage key staff and organizational leaders, providing mentoring, coaching, and professional development opportunities while protecting employee welfare and well-being.

Partnership & Community Relations

• Develop and maintain relationships with external stakeholders, including funders, community partners, and government agencies.
• Represent the organization in public and professional settings and promote its programs and services.

Board Governance

• Partner with the CEO to ensure YouthBeat’s Board is informed and engaged in strong governance practices.
• Attend Board meetings, occasionally present, and facilitate critical Board governance tasks such as fiscal oversight and program reviews.

Qualifications:

• 5+ years of senior-level management experience, including operations, finance, human resources, and administration.
• Experience managing operations with complex funding streams, HR functions and other compliance needs.
• Experience leading or managing nonprofit financial activities such as accounting, budget building and fiscal management
• Strong strategic planning, analytic, problem‑solving, and implementation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage a high‑performing team of employees.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and to YouthBeat’s mission and values.
• Knowledge of current best practices in nonprofit management and youth development.
• Able to communicate and engage effectively with stakeholders, board members, and community partners in developing productive partnerships that drive forward YouthBeat’s mission.

Preferred:

• Experience leading in a nonprofit context, preferably with a similar media, education, or youth‑serving organization.

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary of $100,000 - $120,000, depending on experience, with a full‑time benefits package.
• The opportunity to play a senior leadership role in an organization on the rise, building career pathways for Oakland youth into the media industry.

YouthBeat is an equal‑opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Applicants will be considered without regard to age, race, religion, sex/gender, or any other demographic consideration. We encourage individuals from underrepresented communities to apply.