Chief Operating Officer

Hope for Prisoners•Las Vegas, NV

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Chief Operating Officer serves as the organization’s senior operational and programmatic executive, responsible for overall execution, organizational performance, and internal management. Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, the Chief Operating Officer ensures that Board-approved strategy is translated into high-quality programs, strong operational systems, and measurable impact. The Chief Operating Officer oversees all day-to-day functions of the organization, including program delivery, staff leadership, operational infrastructure, and organizational administration. This role serves as the lead executive responsible for internal operations and organizational execution. The Chief Operating Officer works in close partnership with the organization’s President and Founder, who serves as the organization’s primary external leader and public-facing representative, with a focus on fundraising, strategic relationships, visibility, and external affairs. While both roles report to the Board of Directors, the Chief Operating Officer maintains primary responsibility for internal leadership, operational management, and organizational performance. Success in this role requires a collaborative partnership between the President, and Board of Directors to ensure strong alignment between organizational strategy, external positioning, fundraising, and operational execution. The Chief Operating Officer is ultimately accountable for ensuring that the organization operates effectively, programs achieve measurable outcomes, and systems are in place to support sustainable growth and long-term impact.

Requirements

10+ years of senior leadership experience in operations, program management, or executive leadership.
Proven experience running day-to-day operations and managing complex organizations or programs.
Demonstrated success translating strategy into execution and measurable outcomes.
Strong experience leading teams, building systems, and driving accountability.
Experience collaborating with external partners, including government agencies and community-based organizations.
Strong financial and operational acumen, including budget oversight.
Ability to report to and work effectively with a Board of Directors.
Exceptional leadership, decision-making, and communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience as Chief Operating Officer, or equivalent senior leadership role.
Background in nonprofit, social impact, workforce development, or criminal justice/reentry
Experience managing government contracts and compliance requirements.
Familiarity with continuous improvement frameworks (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma).

Responsibilities

Serve as the organization's lead executive for internal management, operations, and program execution.
Translate Board-approved strategy into actionable plans, timelines, and deliverables.
Ensure organizational alignment around priorities, performance goals, and outcomes.
Maintain full accountability for day-to-day operations and organizational performance.
Provide regular reporting to the Board of Directors, in coordination with the President as appropriate, on program outcomes, operational health, organizational risks, and strategic execution.
Oversee the full lifecycle of program design, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement.
Ensure all programs are aligned with mission, responsive to community needs, and achieving measurable outcomes.
Establish and monitor KPIs and performance benchmarks across all program areas.
Drive program innovation, including piloting and scaling new models.
Ensure consistency, quality, and fidelity in program delivery across sites or initiatives.
Oversee all internal operations, including staffing, systems, workflows, and organizational processes.
Build and maintain efficient infrastructure to support program delivery and organizational growth.
Lead process improvement efforts to increase efficiency, accountability, and scalability.
Oversee technology, data systems, and reporting tools to ensure real-time visibility into performance.
Ensure strong internal communication and coordination across teams.
Develop and manage relationships with external stakeholders is essential to program success, including government agencies, correctional systems, workforce partners, and community-based organizations.
Negotiate and manage partnerships that directly impact program delivery and participant outcomes.
Represent the organization in operational, programmatic, and cross-sector collaborations.
Align external partnerships with internal capacity and strategic priorities.
Ensure partnerships produce tangible results, not just visibility.
Hire, lead, and develop senior staff across programs and operations.
Create a culture of accountability, execution, and continuous improvement.
Establish clear roles, performance expectations, and management structures.
Ensure staff are equipped, supported, and aligned to deliver results.
Address performance challenges decisively and constructively.
Partner with Finance leadership and the Board to develop and manage organizational and program budgets.
Ensure responsible stewardship of resources and alignment of spending with strategic priorities.
Monitor financial performance and adjust operations as needed to maintain sustainability.
Oversee operational risk management and contingency planning.
Ensure infrastructure and staffing models support current and future program needs.
Build and oversee systems for tracking program outputs, outcomes, and organizational performance.
Use data to drive decision-making, improve programs, and inform Board-level strategy.
Ensure compliance with programmatic requirements tied to contracts, grants, and partnerships.
Deliver clear, consistent reporting to the Board on progress, challenges, and opportunities.
Foster a culture of learning, transparency, and results.