Chief Operating Officer

Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund • Chicago, IL

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) serves as a key member of the executive leadership team and strategic partner to DMSF’s CEO. The COO is responsible for leading and strengthening organizational operations, managing and supporting the Development team, driving cross-functional disciplined execution of strategic priorities, and helping advance DMSF’s mission through strong operational leadership, and donor engagement support. This role oversees day-to-day organizational effectiveness while helping position DMSF for long-term growth and sustainability. The COO works closely with the CEO on strategic planning, fundraising initiatives, board engagement, donor strategy, and organizational development, ensuring that systems, people, and priorities are aligned to maximize impact for Murphy Scholars. The ideal candidate is a mission-driven, hands-on, highly relational, and strategic leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment, can balance high-level strategy with operational execution, and is excited to help support a high-performing nonprofit organization with a $6M+ budget.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree
• 5+ years of nonprofit leadership in operations, administration, development or similar (a typically aligned candidate will have 10+ years of relevant work experience)
• Demonstrated success leading multiple operations functions (experience in all areas not required): finance, human resources, compliance, data, contract/vendor management, information technology, facilities
• Demonstrated success managing a high-performing team (must have direct supervisory experience) and leading cross-functional initiatives
• Demonstrated success supporting executive leadership and preparing high-level internal and external communications/materials
• Experience in or deep exposure to fundraising strategy, nonprofit development operations, donor engagement work, and events

Nice To Haves

• Mission-focused: You have a strong belief in DMSF’s approach to the work, and a strong interest in DMSF and supporting educational access for the Scholars we serve.
• Systems-minded: You are driven and fulfilled by creating, executing, and maintaining excellent and sustainable operational systems, which serve as the backbone of DMSF’s programming and fundraising and propel organizational growth.
• Strong-interpersonal skills: You have the ability to motivate and lead a productive team, execute initiatives across functions/departments, and are a clear communicator who can build trust (and will follow-through) with staff, board members, donors, volunteers, families, and external partners.
• Meticulous: You are highly organized, detail-oriented, and compliance-focused; you are thorough with each part of a job, leaving nothing to chance.
• Results-focused: You set ambitious goals, create and track team and organizational metrics, and consistently achieve results.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and oversight of organizational operations, systems, and internal processes to ensure efficiency, accountability, and alignment across teams.
• Lead the implementation of strategic priorities in partnership with the CEO and leadership team.
• Develop, strengthen, and continuously improve operational systems, workflows, and internal communications that support organizational growth and effectiveness.
• Oversee organizational goal tracking, staff accountability, project management, and cross-department coordination.
• Build a culture of clarity, collaboration, urgency, professionalism, and continuous improvement.
• Lead staff culture, professional development, and organizational health initiatives.
• Partner with the CEO on board preparation, strategic planning, executive-level initiatives and special projects.
• Identify operational challenges and proactively recommend solutions that improve organizational effectiveness.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the Development team (2-3 direct reports).
• Partner with the CEO to drive fundraising strategy, donor engagement, stewardship, and revenue growth initiatives.
• Support preparation for donor meetings, sponsorship conversations, foundation meetings, and major fundraising initiatives.
• Conduct donor and prospect research and help develop briefing materials, talking points, meeting agendas, and follow-up strategies for the CEO.
• Monitor fundraising progress toward annual goals and support reporting and analysis efforts.
• In partnership with team members and outside agencies, lead operations for our annual Golf Classic (which raised $3.4M in 2026) and other fundraising events as needed.
• Serve as a strategic thought partner to the CEO on organizational priorities, opportunities, challenges, and growth initiatives.
• Help prepare materials, presentations, follow-up and strategy documents for board meetings, donor meetings, and external partnerships.
• Assist in managing organizational priorities and ensuring follow-through on key initiatives.
• Represent DMSF externally with donors, partners, volunteers, schools, alumni, and community stakeholders as needed.
• Support special projects and organizational growth initiatives led by the CEO.
• Help translate the CEO’s vision and board priorities into clear action plans, ownership, timelines, and measurable outcomes.
• Collaborate with the CEO to develop annual program and organizational budgets and manage revisions as needed.
• Provide oversight of all financial procedures, including bill payment, payroll coordination, expense coding, approval processes, and monthly financial review.
• Review monthly financial reports for accuracy and help identify trends, risks and opportunities.
• Collaborate with accountants, board finance leadership, and internal team members to ensure all approval processes, reporting requirements, and financial policies are followed and executed in a timely manner.
• Support and coordinate pre-planning and execution for the annual audit and 990 preparation.
• Help ensure DMSF maintains strong financial controls, clear documentation, and sound administrative practices.
• Work with DMSF staff, vendors and contractors to ensure accurate and timely data entry across all organizational and internal tracking systems.
• Develop systems to enhance efficiency and maintain records to ensure the organization is compliant, timely and proactive across all organizational operations.
• Identify opportunities to consolidate systems and better use technology, data, and reporting tools to support fundraising, programs, finance, and leadership decision-making.
• Serve as a liaison and provide contract management support for all office, vendor, consultant, technology and service providers.
• Ensure DMSF Privacy and Security Policies are fully implemented and updated as needed.
• Conduct regular risk assessments to resolve vulnerabilities and train staff as needed.
• Help maintain appropriate records, documentation, insurance information, vendor files, and compliance materials.
• Lead all human resource functions, working with supervisors to manage hiring, onboarding, development, performance management, offboarding, payroll coordination, and employee relations.
• Oversee DMSF organizational policies and procedures (including manuals), creating or updating policies and procedures as needed.
• Stay abreast of human resources laws, policies, and trends; serve as a resource to CEO and leadership and collaborate with them on potential changes.
• Serve as a resource to staff and leadership on organizational policies, expectations, and internal processes.

Benefits

• HMO & PPO Health Insurance options
• Dental/Vision
• Paid Time Off: Vacation: 10 days in Year 1 with an additional day added each year worked
• 10 Sick and Four Personal days
• Winter Holiday Office Closure
• Retirement match
• Flex spending
• Life insurance, short & long-term disability

What This Job Offers

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