COO

Chief Operating Officer — Urban Youth Collaborative (UYC)

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Location: Flexible within the U.S. (West Coast or Southeastern US preferred); candidates based in other regions with strong remote leadership skills will also be considered.

ABOUT URBAN YOUTH COLLABORATIVE

Urban Youth Collaborative exists to transform public school campuses into communities of faith, hope, and love by spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ through reproducing disciple-makers among the next generation. Through campus clubs, chaplaincy programs, community service projects, and sexual risk avoidance education, UYC empowers students to lead with purpose, build healthy relationships, and discover their God-given potential. With active ministry presence in San Diego (CA), Spokane (WA), Greater Sacramento (CA), Columbia (SC), Atlanta (GA), Tijuana (MX), and Addis Ababa (ET) — and emerging locations worldwide — UYC currently reaches approximately 8,000 students per week across these locations.

To see UYC's work firsthand, watch our ministry overview video (YouTube Link: and explore our website:

ROLE SUMMARY

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) serves as a key executive leader responsible for building and strengthening the operational infrastructure that fuels UYC's mission. The COO will oversee organization-wide systems, HR, program execution, media and outreach integration, and staff communication while ensuring operational excellence across multiple city expressions as the ministry grows. This leader brings strong strategic execution skills paired with a passion for youth ministry and collaborative leadership.

This role reports to and partners with the CEO, pursuing all initiatives under the CEO's direction, authority, and vision — this is a second-in-command position, not an independent executive seat.

This role also includes a personal fundraising requirement: the COO fundraises 10% of salary during year two of the position, 15% during year three, and 20% by year four (this requirement may be waived for a candidate who brings exceptional experience, fit, and value to the role).

This role requires agreement with UYC's Statement of Faith.

This role requires completion of UYC's full employment application, which includes questions on church commitment and spiritual history, and requires background check and credit report consent, and references including a church leader reference.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Organizational Leadership & Strategy

- Partner with the CEO in organizational planning, decision-making, and execution. Pursue all initiatives under direction, authority, and in alignment with the CEO's vision and in conversation with key ministry advisors.

- Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of scalable systems and structures as UYC expands nationally and internationally.

- Steward operational priorities to ensure alignment with mission and strategic growth.

Program Oversight

- Support and manage teams implementing Sexual Risk Avoidance Education (SRAE) programs in San Diego, CA and Columbia, SC, ensuring compliance, excellence, and goal achievement. UYC plans to pursue SRAE funding in Spokane, WA, when funds are released in 2027.

- Support program delivery, resource distribution, and reporting across City locations, working alongside the CEO, who is directly involved in City Director coaching during this season of growth.

- Assist the CEO in determining priorities for staffing and funding C-Suite and other organizational support roles as UYC grows gradually, including a future field staff oversight role.

Staff Management & HR Systems

- Oversee and expand HR operations, including hiring, onboarding, benefits administration, performance management, and staff culture/communication flow.

- Identify and implement a single staff health insurance plan that all employees can participate in and develop other employee benefits over time.

- Lead migration from 401K to 403B retirement plan.

- Assist CEO in determining priorities for HR staffing/firm partnership as UYC grows.

- Maintain organizational compliance with applicable local, state, and federal employment regulations.

Reporting & Accountability

- Work with teams to update UYC's Case for Support, Annual Report, and other high-level impact reports for the CEO and stakeholders as needed.

- Evaluate and approve city, employee, and event budgets to ensure positive cash flow.

- Establish KPI dashboards and evaluation systems that guide data-informed decisions.

UYC Media, Communications & Outreach

- Oversee brand consistency and integration of media and outreach initiatives throughout the organization, in conversation with the Development Director, as the organization grows.

- Ensure effective communication pathways across all departments and geographic locations.

National Expansion & LLC Management

- Inherit and gradually scale the operational frameworks for new UYC LLC locations.

- Work with the Executive Team, alongside the CEO's direct coaching relationship with City Directors, to support performance, growth, and sustainable ministry operations as UYC grows.

Advise on Grant & Funding Opportunities

- Share funding ideas with CEO, Grants Manager, and Development Director about capital and partnership opportunities worth pursuing for UYC.

- Provide introductions to potential funders when appropriate, as God leads.

Systematize Training, Certification, and Background Check Process

- Partner with the data team to roll out a nationwide and global system for church partners to become trained, certified, and complete background checks.

Envision Possibilities and Connect New National and Global Partners to UYC

- Build like-minded partnerships with US and international groups that align with UYC vision and mission as opportunities present themselves.

- Assist the CEO with expansion priorities and discernment based on the opportunities that God provides.

- All partnerships must be compatible with UYC's God-given mission and vision.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

- Experience in nonprofit operations, administration, or executive leadership (5–10 years preferred)

- Proven ability to lead multi-site teams and manage organizational growth

- Strong HR, systems management, and compliance knowledge

- Demonstrated expertise with reporting, program oversight, and building operational infrastructure

- Excellent communication, decision-making, and relational leadership skills

- Passion for youth development, education, and faith-driven impact

- Agreement with UYC's Statement of Faith

- Fundraises 10% of salary during year two of position; 15% during year three; 20% by year four. This requirement may be waived for a person who brings exceptional experience, fit, and value to the role.

Preferred

- Experience overseeing federally or state-funded programs (e.g., SRAE)

- Multi-state nonprofit operations experience

- Background with ministry-based organizations or public school partnerships

Personal Characteristics

- Highly organized and detail-oriented

- Values-driven and mission-aligned

- A developer of people and systems

- Collaborative, humble, and courageous in leadership

- Deep Christian faith and passion for evangelism and disciple-making among youth

- Proven personal integrity, church commitment, and family-oriented life

- Track-record of stability in marriage/family, work relationships, finances, and personal health choices

- Able to thrive in a fast-growing, entrepreneurial ministry environment

WHAT UYC LOOKS FOR IN EVERY HIRE

UYC hires are expected to be humble in how they treat and interact with others, hungry in their willingness to take on significant needs with ambition, drive, and work ethic, and smart primarily in how they relate to and work with people rather than merely academically.

COMPENSATION

Salary range of $110,000–$125,000 based on experience, plus benefits including:

- Health insurance coverage

- Paid time off

- Professional development opportunities

Compensation for this role includes a personal fundraising component, consistent with UYC's staff support-raising model. UYC field staff carry significant fundraising responsibility as well; the COO's fundraising ramp (10%/15%/20% over years two through four) is lighter by comparison.

APPLICATION

Candidates should be prepared to complete UYC's full employment application, which includes questions on ministry and church background, spiritual history, management experience, fundraising experience and willingness, references (including a church leader reference), and background check and credit report consent, along with agreement to UYC's Statement of Faith.