Chief Operating Officer at BranchED

Work Renewed • Atlanta, GA

3d • $175,000 - $218,000 • Remote

About The Position

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) serves as a key member of BranchED’s Executive Team, responsible for leading finance, strategic planning, organizational effectiveness, human capital, technology, and administrative functions. Reporting directly to the President & CEO, this position stewards BranchED’s resources, people, and systems for impact and long-term sustainability.
The COO also oversees risk management and serves as the staff liaison to the Board’s Finance and Investment Committees. This role will supervise a team of up to 5 staff and/or critical vendors, with a near-term focus on bringing the finance function in-house and expanding its overall capabilities.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field required; an MBA or equivalent graduate degree in management, finance, or a related discipline is preferred.
• Minimum of five years of senior leadership experience in the nonprofit sector, ideally in a comparable role, including increasing responsibility for finance and accounting functions such as budgeting, financial reporting, and fiscal oversight.
• Proven leadership and results in nonprofit finance and operations, with experience overseeing accounting, budgeting, internal controls, financial reporting, and audit coordination for organizations with budgets of $10M or more.
• Strong ownership of financial data quality and reporting accuracy.
• Proficient in financial and operations platforms for budgeting, accounting, and reporting. Familiarity with Sage Intacct, SAP Concur, Microsoft Office 365, SharePoint, Salesforce, Zoom, and Dropbox is a plus.
• Demonstrated excellence in improving systems, policies, and procedures to increase efficiency and user-friendliness.
• Experience managing vendor relationships and operational compliance.
• Experience in budgeting, forecasting, and multi-year financial modeling.
• Experience leading strategic planning processes and translating strategy into operations.
• Strong knowledge of nonprofit accounting standards, grant compliance, and funder reporting.
• Experience overseeing HR and technology systems with a deep appreciation for talent as a strategic driver of organizational success.
• Strategic thinker and systems builder with a demonstrated ability to anticipate organizational needs and identify future opportunities.
• Successful track record of setting priorities, driving results, and leading organizational improvements.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills that support sound, data-informed decision-making.
• Creative and proactive problem-solver with the ability to manage complexity and ambiguity.
• Excellent written, verbal, and visual communication skills, with the ability to translate complex financial concepts for non-financial colleagues.
• Skilled at building and sustaining authentic, trust-based relationships across teams and stakeholders.
• Collaborative and empathetic leader who fosters inclusive dialogue and cross-functional collaboration, and integration.
• Comfortable presenting data-driven insights to both internal and external audiences.
• Deep commitment to BranchED’s mission, values, and work to advance educational opportunity and excellence.
• Demonstrates an inclusive and human-centered approach to decision-making and team leadership.
• Bring a positive attitude, strong adaptability, curiosity, creativity, and resourcefulness.
• Willingness to “roll up sleeves” and contribute at all levels; open to occasional travel for retreats and events.
• Energized by developing people and systems, viewing performance management, professional learning, and culture as integral to the success of BranchED’s broader organization’s strategy.

Responsibilities

• Lead BranchED’s multi-year strategic and financial planning process, translating organizational strategy into clear departmental objectives and individual performance expectations.
• Drive the organization’s effectiveness practice, translating strategic priorities into operational and financial plans that enhance impact and organizational health.
• Align philanthropic fundraising and earned-income strategies into a unified approach for financial resilience and growth.
• Stay abreast of national trends and developments in nonprofit, education, and legal landscapes affecting BranchED’s operations.
• Develop contingency plans and establish processes to mitigate financial, operational, and reputational risks.
• Serve as staff liaison to the Board of Directors’ Finance and Investment Committees, effectively communicating critical financial and strategic matters at select board of directors and committee meetings.
• Oversee all aspects of finance, accounting, budgeting, and reporting for BranchED and its related organization, upholding accuracy, transparency, and integration with the organization’s mission and strategic priorities.
• Develop and manage annual budgets and multi-year financial plans that support growth and accountability. Maintain rigorous internal controls, risk management practices, and compliance with nonprofit accounting standards and regulations.
• Lead cash flow, investment, and reserve management to ensure long-term financial health. Manage procurement and contracting with fidelity, negotiating favorable terms with consultants, vendors, and other partners. Partner with Development to connect fundraising goals and grant budgets with organizational financial plans.
• Build and maintain financial models, pro formas, and ROI analyses to strengthen performance, guide decision-making, and support fundraising and earned-revenue initiatives. Develop pricing strategies, KPIs, and cost-allocation models to evaluate new ventures and track profitability across mission- and values-aligned revenue streams.
• Provide oversight of the revenue-generating subsidiary or related entity, maintaining clear inter-entity agreements, accurate consolidation or separation of financial statements, and compliance with IRS rules for unrelated business income (UBIT). Collaborate with program and business leaders to identify and model new revenue opportunities that advance BranchED’s mission.
• Serve as a key advisor to the CEO and Board Committees on financial strategy, performance, and long-term sustainability.
• Oversee the overall strategy, purpose, and vision of all HR functions, including recruitment, onboarding, performance management, compensation & benefits, and professional development and succession planning.
• Manage the third-party PEO to ensure compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal labor laws, regulations, and practices.
• Partner with leadership to shape organizational culture, talent strategy, and workforce planning that advance the mission and strategic priorities.
• Build leadership capacity through mentoring, succession planning, and performance management systems.
• Implement training programs and employee development initiatives to enhance team skills and productivity.
• Ensure regulatory compliance in both nonprofit and commercial activities (tax, licensing, labor).
• Support creation of governance structures (e.g., a separate board or advisory council for the related entity).
• Coordinate with external legal and tax advisors on matters affecting charitable status.
• Promote cross-functional collaboration and consistent use of standard operating procedures.
• Provide strategic oversight of IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, and digital transformation initiatives.
• Ensure data integrity and compliance across CRM, HRIS, and financial systems. Develop policies and training for data privacy and technology adoption.
• Review and evaluate all business insurance and ensure adequate coverage and compliance.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing finance and operations team.
• Foster a culture of transparency, collaboration, and data-informed decision-making.
• Act as a strategic thought partner to the CEO and senior leadership team.
• Represent the organization externally with funders, partners, and stakeholders when financial or strategic expertise is needed.

Benefits

• Competitive salaries benchmarked against the industry.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, and a 401(k) plan with up to 6% employer match.
• Paid time off begins with 18 days per year, plus eight holidays and two annual “wellness weeks” in December and July.
• Additional leave benefits include parental leave and bereavement support.
• To foster growth and wellness, BranchED provides financial planning services and access to lifestyle discounts and commuter benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive