Chief Operating Officer - San Francisco Corporate Office

The John Stewart Company•San Francisco, CA

4d•$250,000 - $300,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a member of The John Stewart Company’s executive leadership team and is responsible for translating the company’s strategic vision, mission, and goals into efficient, financially successful operational performance. The COO ensures that corporate back-office functions are appropriately staffed, managed, and led in support of the company’s multifamily property management, affordable housing development, and construction and maintenance services. The role coordinates with the Board of Directors, the President and CEO, the President of Development/CREO, the Executive Vice President of Property Management, Regional Vice Presidents, the Corporate Controller, and other staff to develop and achieve organizational goals. Reporting directly to the President and Chief Executive Officer, the COO provides strategic oversight, guidance, transparency, and coordination for assigned business unit operations. The role drives strategic initiatives, improves processes, promotes accountability and continuous improvement, and ensures operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and alignment with organizational goals. It is equivalent to a Senior Vice President position and is full-time and exempt. The COO must hold a California real estate broker license or obtain one within 18 months of employment. The position oversees or coordinates corporate operations across leadership and governance, human resources and payroll, accounting and financial reporting, information technology and systems, training, legal strategy, and risk management. Responsibilities also include supporting the CEO and Board, managing and evaluating direct reports, ensuring compliance with applicable requirements, and representing the company to external stakeholders and the community.

Requirements

At least 10 years of demonstrated leadership in a multifamily, affordable housing environment.
Familiarity with the California multifamily property management industry.
Excellent personnel management skills.
Significant experience and extensive working knowledge of accounting, human resources, training, payroll, legal, and IT operations.
Hold a valid Real Estate Broker license issued by the California Department of Real Estate, or obtain one within 18 months of employment.
Knowledge of organizational development and management principles, human resources, payroll, corporate accounting, training, IT, legal, and property management operations.
Leadership skills, including the ability to lead, train, motivate, and manage professionals and foster a positive work environment.
Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to convey complex ideas, build relationships, negotiate, and represent company interests.
Strong business acumen, strategic thinking, and analytical skills, including the ability to develop strategic initiatives and evaluate departmental policies, procedures, and documents.
Problem-solving and decision-making skills, including the ability to analyze problems, generate solutions, and make sound decisions under pressure.
Ability to manage multiple complex projects in a time-sensitive environment while maintaining customer responsiveness.
Excellent interpersonal, relationship-building, diplomacy, judgment, tact, and conflict-resolution skills with diverse internal and external stakeholders.
Ability to collaborate across departments and with partners, vendors, residents, stakeholders, and outside professionals, and to facilitate communication and teamwork.
Flexibility and adaptability in a dynamic environment with shifting priorities, ambiguity, and multiple deadlines.
Adherence to high standards of professional conduct, honesty, transparency, trust, and credibility.
Understanding of organizational politics and external partner dynamics, with the ability to navigate relationships and influence decisions effectively.
Knowledge of business principles, fiscal management, and industry trends.
Demonstrated proficiency with current Microsoft Office technology and software applications, used regularly.

Nice To Haves

15 or more years of progressively responsible experience in corporate affordable housing operations, preferably in multifamily fee management.
Significant experience leading corporate and real estate risk management activities.

Responsibilities

Work with the CEO to develop the company’s strategic vision and implement corporate goals and objectives.
Establish performance indicators for operational functions and monitor corporate performance against operating goals.
Foster an employee culture that supports the company’s strategy and objectives.
Monitor external developments affecting day-to-day operations and anticipate and adapt to significant changes.
Assist the CEO in supporting the Board of Directors and its committees on corporate structure, coordination, policies, and related issues.
Prepare and present regular reports to the Board of Directors and attend meetings as needed.
In conjunction with the AVP of Human Resources and Payroll, oversee HR and payroll policies and procedures, including the Employee Handbook, safety programs, job classifications, pay levels, and employee benefits; communicate related strategy and issues to the CEO.
In conjunction with the Controller, oversee accounting policies and procedures, the annual corporate operating budget, and long-range financial forecasting; communicate financial strategy and issues to the CEO.
In conjunction with the AVP of Systems and Technology and the third-party IT services provider, identify, develop, and implement technology that supports efficient operations and service delivery; communicate IT strategy and issues to the CEO.
In conjunction with the Director of Training, identify, develop, and implement training programs for corporate and property operations; communicate training strategy and issues to the CEO.
In conjunction with the Director – Legal, develop and implement legal strategy and policies and procedures that support operations, limit business risk, and provide legal defense as needed; communicate legal strategy and issues to the CEO.
Support the CEO and Director of Special Projects and Programs in securing corporate insurance policies and tracking claims.
Help manage defense strategy for significant legal claims against the company and the assets it manages.
Train direct reports, establish their performance expectations, and regularly evaluate performance against corporate objectives.
Participate in recruitment and selection for directly supervised staff and other key executive-level positions.
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and city requirements applicable to corporate operations.
Represent the company to the greater community, community agencies, constituent groups, funders, and government agencies.
Perform other projects as assigned by the CEO.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision care for employees working 30 or more hours per week; preventive medical care paid at 100%.
Vacation leave of up to 10 days per year in the first year for employees working 30 or more hours per week.
Up to 80 hours of sick time per year.
Flexible Spending Accounts for health care and dependent care for employees working 30 or more hours per week.
Company-paid Life, AD&D, and long-term disability coverage for employees working 30 or more hours per week.
Free, confidential counseling through the Employee Assistance Program.
Commuter benefit program.
Discounts for AT&T and ClassPass.
$100 annual wellness reimbursement.
Matching 401(k) retirement savings plan of up to 2% of compensation for employees working 20 or more hours per week.