Chief Administrative Officer (CAO)

Umoja Community Education Foundation • Sacramento, CA

4d

About The Position

The Chief Administrative Officer is Umoja’s primary management and execution authority, responsible for translating strategy into operational reality across the organization. The CAO ensures that people, systems, policies, infrastructure, and workflows function cohesively to support program delivery, fundraising execution, compliance, and organizational sustainability.
Reporting directly to the CEO, the CAO exercises cross-functional operational authority and serves as the central steward of how work gets done across Umoja. This role is responsible for building the operational backbone that enables strategy, programs, and revenue to succeed at scale.
Within Umoja’s operating framework, the CAO occupies the execution function. Strategy is set by the CEO, tracked and integrated by the Chief of Staff, and executed by the CAO through operational planning, staffing, systems, and enforcement of policies. Program strategy is owned by the Chief Program & Learning Officer and enabled operationally by the CAO. Revenue strategy is owned by the Chief Development Officer and supported operationally through systems and communications overseen by the CAO.
The Chief Administrative Officer develops and leads execution of the operational plan aligned to Umoja’s strategic priorities. The role translates strategy into staffing models, workflows,
timelines, and systems that support statewide operations. The CAO oversees human resources, compliance, risk management, office operations, information technology, and internal administrative systems, ensuring organizational readiness and consistency.
The CAO manages organizational communications infrastructure and staff, ensuring that internal and external communications systems support program delivery, fundraising execution, and stakeholder engagement. In partnership with Finance, the CAO enforces adherence to financial policies, internal controls, and budget discipline at the operational level.
The role enables program and fundraising success by ensuring that teams are properly resourced, systems function effectively, and operational barriers are addressed promptly. The CAO leads policy development and enforcement, strengthens internal processes, and continuously improves operational effectiveness as the organization evolves.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Nonprofit Management, or related field.
• At least ten years of senior operations or management leadership experience, with demonstrated success leading complex nonprofit or mission-driven organizations.
• Strong experience in HR, compliance, systems development, and cross-functional execution is required, along with the ability to manage ambiguity and organizational growth.
• Strong financial acumen with experience in budgeting, financial analysis, and resource allocation.
• Excellent leadership and team management skills, with the ability to motivate and inspire diverse teams.
• Exceptional strategic thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships and engage stakeholders.
• Commitment to social impact and community development.
• Knowledge of nonprofit compliance, regulations, and risk management.
• Proficiency in relevant software and tools for financial management and reporting.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develops and leads execution of the operational plan aligned to Umoja’s strategic priorities.
• Translates strategy into staffing models, workflows, timelines, and systems that support statewide operations.
• Oversees human resources, compliance, risk management, office operations, information technology, and internal administrative systems, ensuring organizational readiness and consistency.
• Manages organizational communications infrastructure and staff, ensuring that internal and external communications systems support program delivery, fundraising execution, and stakeholder engagement.
• Enforces adherence to financial policies, internal controls, and budget discipline at the operational level.
• Ensures that teams are properly resourced, systems function effectively, and operational barriers are addressed promptly.
• Leads policy development and enforcement
• Strengthens internal processes
• Continuously improves operational effectiveness as the organization evolves.

Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience, along with a comprehensive benefits package including health and dental.
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, and 401(k)
• Paid holidays and generous PTO
• Professional development support
• Inclusive, mission-driven workplace culture

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees