📈🔎🚀Calling all powerhouse Chief Operating Officers!
Our client is a purpose driven organization with deep cultural roots and a growing footprint in community empowerment. They are searching for a COO who understands how to build systems, empower teams, and move a mission forward with clarity, authenticity, and heart!
Chief Operating Officer (COO) Location: Los Angeles, CA (Hybrid)
Position Summary
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) will play a pivotal role in shaping that future. Reporting directly to the ED, the COO serves as both the organization’s chief integrator and chief financial steward as a strategic leader who ensures that the bold mission is matched by disciplined operations and sound financial management.
With CFO-level responsibilities, the COO will oversee all operational and financial aspects of the organization—including strategic planning, budget development, financial reporting, cash flow management, and compliance— cooperation its fiscal sponsor while leading operations, HR, and IT to ensure the organization’s mission is achieved efficiently.
This is a role for someone who thrives at the intersection of vision and execution, who can move seamlessly from a boardroom conversation about long-term growth to a budget review meeting that ensures every dollar invested directly benefits students. The ideal candidate combines strategic thinking, financial acumen, and a deep commitment to equity and community impact.
Key Responsibilities
Organizational Leadership to Integration
• Serve as the organization’s second-in-command, ensuring that internal systems, structures, and teams are fully aligned to advance the mission.
• Translate strategic vision into operational reality, building the processes, rhythms, and culture that sustain high performance and impact.
• Partner with the ED to foster collaboration across program areas: Access, Success, STEAM, and Workforce Development—ensuring they operate as a cohesive ecosystem serving students’ full journey.
• Provide transparent, data-informed insights to the ED, Advisory Board, Chief Program Officer (CPO) and funders that guide decision- making and long-term sustainability.
Financial Oversight to Fiscal Stewardship
• Lead all financial management activities, including accounting, budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and compliance.
• Collaborate with the ED and external finance team (fiscal sponsor) to craft annual and multi-year budgets that reflect organizational priorities and funder commitments.
• Monitor cash flow, reserves, and performance metrics to safeguard the organization’s fiscal health and enable mission growth.
• Oversee preparation of financial reports, audits, and grant documentation with accuracy, clarity, and accountability.
• Build a culture of fiscal transparency and shared responsibility, empowering directors and managers to use financial data as a strategic tool for impact.
• Ensure full compliance with all grant, contract, and audit requirements, maintaining trust with funders and public partners.
Program Alignment to Resource Optimization
• Partner with program leaders to align budgets, staffing, and systems with programmatic outcomes.
• Ensure that financial and operational decisions directly strengthen student-facing programs and community partnerships.
• Oversee organization-wide tracking of program performance and impact metrics to drive continuous improvement and equity in outcomes.
Human Resources, Culture to Infrastructure
• Lead the HR function with empathy and rigor, ensuring recruitment, retention, and development practices reflect the values of equity, professionalism, and excellence.
• Build and sustain a culture of collaboration, accountability, and care— where staff feel supported and set up to thrive.
• Oversee IT systems, tools, and infrastructure that promote operational efficiency and security across teams.
• Ensure organizational compliance with employment laws, HR policies, and DEI standards.
Strategic Planning to Organizational Growth
• Partner with the ED and Advisory Board to set long-term strategic and financial goals that position them for sustainable growth.
• Anticipate operational and financial challenges as the organization scales, designing systems that evolve with growth.
• Lead major change management initiatives, ensuring clear communication and thoughtful implementation.
• Support the ED in exploring new opportunities, partnerships, and innovations that extend the reach and impact of the mission.
Qualifications to Attributes
• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, or related field required; Master’s degree (MBA, MPA, or equivalent) strongly preferred.
• 10plus years of nonprofit or business leadership experience, with at least 5 years overseeing both finance and operations.
• Proven record managing multi-million-dollar budgets and complex revenue streams (federal, foundation, corporate).
• Deep understanding of nonprofit accounting, financial management, compliance, and reporting.
• Strong background in building operational systems that drive efficiency, accountability, and impact.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills; able to build trust across staff, funders, and community partners.
• Strategic thinker with the humility to listen and the courage to act.
• Deep alignment with the mission of advancing opportunity for students and underrepresented communities.
• You want your career to matter—to create change that outlasts you.
Compensation to Benefits
Competitive salary commensurate with experience, along with comprehensive benefits including health, dental, and vision insurance; 401(k) with employer match; generous PTO; and professional development support.
