Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Stagwell Global•Washington, DC

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

SKDK is an award-winning strategic communications, public affairs, and advertising agency. With offices in Washington, D.C., New York, Boston, Albany, and Los Angeles, SKDK partners with Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, philanthropies, political candidates, and committees to solve complex challenges through integrated communications strategy, storytelling, content creation, crisis management, media placement, and digital innovation. Committed to building diverse and inclusive teams, SKDK delivers transformative results for its clients. The Opportunity We seek an exceptional Chief Operating Officer to serve as a trusted strategic partner to our CEO and Partner Group and manage the operational foundation that enables SKDK's continued growth and excellence. This is a pivotal leadership role that will directly impact how effectively SKDK executes its vision, scales its capabilities, and serves its clients across multiple offices and service lines. The COO will take ownership of human capital strategy, regulatory compliance, multi-office operations, and critical business systems—working collaboratively with the CEO and Partner Group to drive organizational excellence.

Requirements

15+ years of senior operations, HR, or business management experience at a similar-size agency, professional services firm, or organization, with a proven track record of helping those organizations scale and grow
Proven success managing multi-office operations and building scalable systems, policies, and processes
Deep expertise in HR strategy, talent development, compensation, benefits, and employment law
Strong financial acumen including budget development, forecasting, and P&L responsibility
Demonstrated ability to manage complex compliance across regulatory, tax, and legal domains
Exceptional CEO and stakeholder management skills with ability to influence without direct authority and build credibility across all organizational levels
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills —strategic, clear, and persuasive
Experience with enterprise systems (HRIS, project management, financial systems)
Bachelor's degree required
Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and experience advancing these values within organizations
Sarbanes-Oxley experience welcome.

Nice To Haves

MBA, SHRM certification, or equivalent advanced credential preferred

Responsibilities

Lead all HR strategy, talent development, recruitment, and compensation decisions
Advise the CEO, partners, and senior leadership on personnel matters, performance management, and organizational development
Direct recruitment and compensation strategy to align with firm growth and market competitiveness
Partner with the Chief Equity & Inclusion Officer to advance firmwide DEI initiatives
Oversee multi-office operations for SKDK's Washington D.C., New York, Boston, Albany, and Los Angeles locations
Manage compliance across regulatory requirements (FARA, employment verification, lobbying disclosures, SOX audits, subpoena processing)
Partner with external counsel on legal matters, contract management, and client/vendor/contractor relationships
Direct policy development and ensure consistent implementation firm-wide
Manage firm insurance, benefits administration (HRIS/UKG), and employment verification
Collaborate with CFO on budget forecasting, financial planning, and SOX compliance
Execute media insertion orders and manage client billing workflows
Ensure audit readiness and financial transparency across all offices
Manage project management systems (Workfront) and oversee AI training and operations
Partner with IT on firm technology needs and digital transformation
Coordinate tax requirements and processing with external specialists
Support the firm's growth through operational integration of new acquisitions, services, products, and technology.
Experience working with technology teams focused on innovation, cyber security, and AI adoption.