Chief Operating Officer

Chief Operating Officer

This is a senior executive leadership role responsible for translating organizational strategy into scalable operations, measurable performance, and sustainable growth. You'll oversee and align multiple functions, including technology, finance, people operations, strategic initiatives, and business operations. The role combines enterprise planning, financial stewardship, risk management, technology oversight, and leadership development. You'll establish KPIs, evaluate organizational performance, and use data to guide resource planning and long-term priorities. Working closely with executive leadership and the Board, you'll ensure strategic initiatives are executed effectively and operational risks are proactively managed. You'll also help identify revenue opportunities, improve operational efficiency, and strengthen systems that support organizational growth and member value. This is a hybrid and remote-friendly opportunity for U.S.-based professionals, with approximately 5–6 domestic and international trips each year.

Accountabilities:

• Lead organization-wide operational planning, translating strategic priorities into scalable systems, clear accountability structures, measurable objectives, and coordinated execution.
• Oversee operational performance across functions including Marketplace, Membership, Information Technology, Events, Finance, Publications, People & Culture, and Strategic Initiatives.
• Establish, monitor, and evaluate KPIs across departments, using performance insights to guide long-range planning for growth, staffing, infrastructure, and resource capacity.
• Partner with executive and departmental leaders to identify revenue-growth opportunities, evaluate new business initiatives, assess pricing strategies, and identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Ensure organizational offerings and operational priorities remain aligned with member needs, market conditions, financial realities, and long-term strategic objectives.
• Provide strategic leadership, coaching, and performance oversight to senior functional leaders, establishing clear expectations and fostering accountability, collaboration, transparency, and continuous improvement.
• Develop leadership capabilities and succession plans to strengthen organizational resilience and ensure continuity across key functions.
• Partner with the Controller and executive leadership on operational budgets, revenue forecasting, resource allocation, financial controls, and sustainable business planning.
• Oversee compliance with applicable legal, regulatory, and governance requirements and develop contingency planning and risk-mitigation strategies to protect organizational assets and long-term sustainability.
• Provide executive oversight of information technology, including digital infrastructure, enterprise systems, cybersecurity, technology-enabled operations, and process modernization.
• Champion automation, innovation, data governance, and data-informed decision-making across departments.
• Work with cross-functional leaders to remove operational barriers, improve workflows, optimize resources, and strengthen collaboration.
• Prepare executive and Board-level materials and updates that clearly communicate operational performance, strategic initiatives, risks, and organizational priorities.
• Lead complex organizational change and systems-modernization initiatives while maintaining alignment with the organization's mission and strategic objectives.
• Travel domestically and internationally approximately 5–6 times per year for organizational events and in-person gatherings.

Requirements:

• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in operations, including at least 5 years in a senior or executive leadership role.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex projects and cross-functional teams within a mission-driven organization or similarly complex environment.
• Experience overseeing enterprise operations across multiple functional areas, such as IT, HR, Finance, Strategic Initiatives, e-commerce, or comparable business functions.
• Proven ability to translate strategic plans into operational frameworks, KPIs, processes, and measurable business outcomes.
• Strong financial acumen, including experience partnering with Finance leadership on budgeting, forecasting, resource allocation, and sustainable operational decision-making.
• Demonstrated success leading senior leaders and building high-performing teams through coaching, clear expectations, performance management, and succession planning.
• Experience leading organizational change, operational improvement, systems modernization, or technology-enabled transformation initiatives.
• Familiarity with digital platforms, enterprise systems, data governance, cybersecurity, and technology-related risk mitigation.
• Experience developing or overseeing compliance, risk management, business continuity, and contingency planning frameworks.
• Strong systems thinking and business judgment, with the ability to move comfortably between long-term strategy and detailed operational execution.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder-management skills, with the ability to work effectively with executive leadership, senior functional leaders, Board members, and cross-functional teams.
• Ability to analyze complex information, identify priorities, and make sound decisions in a changing organizational environment.
• An MBA or equivalent advanced degree, Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation, or experience within a nonprofit and/or individual membership-based organization is valued but not required.

Benefits:

• Annual salary range of $145,000–$175,000.
• Hybrid and remote-friendly work environment open to U.S.-based professionals nationwide.
• Approximately 5–6 domestic and international trips per year for organizational events and in-person gatherings.
• Opportunity to shape enterprise strategy, operational performance, and sustainable organizational growth.
• Significant executive-level influence across technology, finance, people operations, business operations, and strategic initiatives.
• Direct partnership with executive leadership and the Board of Directors.
• Opportunity to lead and develop senior leaders while building a strong culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Strong health and retirement benefits.
• Professional development support and opportunities for continued growth.
• Mission-driven environment focused on strengthening the value delivered to a global professional community.
• Remote-friendly culture that values open communication, collaboration, accountability, and purpose.