Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Giving Kitchen•Atlanta, GA

1d•$150,000 - $170,000•Hybrid

About The Position

As our movement grows, we are looking for a leader who can build the financial discipline, sustainable systems, and operational excellence that carry a mission this big, without ever losing the heart that makes it work. As Chief Operating Officer, you will be a strategic partner to our CEO and a core member of our Executive Leadership Team. You will own the finance, technology, programs, and operations that let us serve food service workers with speed, compassion, and impact. You will lead our Finance, HR, IT, and Client Services teams. You will build the systems and governance that let us scale–without losing our culture and the soul of who we are. And you will grow leaders across the organization who understand that operations is never efficiency for its own sake. It is how we keep our promise to the people who count on us. This is a seat for someone energized by complexity, who sees strategy as a means to mission delivery, and who knows that great operations are built on trust and transparency. You will work alongside a passionate, values-driven team. You will have the resources and the autonomy to think big about how we grow. And you will know, every single day, that your work reaches thousands of food service workers facing the hardest moments of their lives. This is not just a job. For the right person, it is the opportunity of a lifetime: doing deeply impactful work in a joyful environment.

Requirements

10+ years of leadership experience driving finance and operations in growing organizations, with a track record of scaling impact
Proven success navigating growth and transformation, building systems that enable mission, refining business models, and thriving in complexity
Demonstrated nonprofit financial management experience, including budgeting, audit oversight, Form 990, and restricted and unrestricted fund tracking
Experience with financial management systems (QuickBooks, NetSuite, or similar) and Salesforce
Success implementing or scaling project management practices and governance structures that improve cross-functional coordination in complex organizations
A strategic financial leader with deep business acumen, who uses budgeting, forecasting, and analysis to turn mission into sustainable strategy, always with clarity and transparency
A systems builder who designs and scales infrastructure that enables impact, creating order and clarity so teams can focus on the mission
An executive communicator and change leader, able to influence, build consensus, navigate transitions, and resolve complex issues with diverse internal and external stakeholders
An experienced people leader and developer, skilled at attracting, building, and retaining high-performing teams and coaching individuals through growth

Nice To Haves

The mission moves you, and meeting crisis with compassion and care is exactly the kind of purpose you have been looking for.
You are a steady hand in complexity. You bring calm, clear thinking to hard problems, and you never forget that operational excellence exists to serve the mission, not the other way around.
You lead with warmth and honesty. You say what you will do and you do it, and people trust you because you have earned it.
You are genuinely curious about people. You listen well, you invest in lifting others, and you keep learning, because you know the work is never finished teaching you.

Responsibilities

Partner with the CEO and leadership team to develop strategic imperatives and execute Giving Kitchen’s growth strategy
Develop long-term resource allocation plans that align investments with strategic priorities and organizational growth
Translate strategic vision into clear goals, objectives, and metrics that drive measurable impact
Lead organizational change and growth across our expanding national footprint
Design scalable systems and processes that balance efficiency with growth
Oversee IT, finance, and operations to ensure strong performance and accountability
Establish structured project governance and tracking frameworks that enable cross-functional collaboration and move complex initiatives forward with clarity and accountability
Champion innovative operating models that invest wisely across people, operations, and technology
Lead annual budgeting, forecasting, and long-term financial planning in partnership with the Controller, aligning resources with strategic priorities and organizational growth
Ensure timely, accurate financial reporting and dashboards to leadership and the Board, translating results into clear insights
Direct the annual audit and IRS Form 990 process, ensuring GAAP compliance and proper classification of restricted and unrestricted net assets
Establish and maintain strong internal controls, financial policies, and systems, and oversee cash flow, reserves, and banking relationships as the organization scales
Ensure grant and contract financial compliance, and partner with the CEO and Board on enterprise risk management, insurance, and regulatory and tax compliance across all states
Oversee payroll, benefits, compensation, and performance management systems rooted in our values, creating a workplace where our team can thrive
Build HR infrastructure and policies that scale with growth while maintaining compliance across every state where we operate
Support staff wellness, professional development, and career pathways that help our team thrive in a mission-driven culture
Serve as the primary staff partner to the Board’s Finance Committee, supporting the Treasurer and Board in their fiduciary oversight
Ensure effective board meetings and governance by providing clear, decision-ready materials and financial insights
Help orient new board members and provide context on our operations, finances, and systems as we scale
Support strong governance practices and ensure board action items are completed on schedule
Strengthen the economic vitality of the organization by working with others to grow demand and our capacity to deliver quality programs and services
Oversee the continued development of a national footprint of services and programs that complement existing programming
Identify innovations and efficiencies that support sustainable growth and impact across our expanding regions
Lead and develop the Finance, HR, Business Operations, Client Services, and Technology leaders who drive excellence and accountability across the organization
Build management capability and strong people leadership across your direct reports and their teams, balancing rigorous standards with genuine investment in staff growth
Model a positive, aligned, inclusive, and accountable culture that supports staff development and career pathways