Chief Operations Officer

Step Up•Santa Monica, CA

6d•$300,000 - $350,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Chief Operations Officer (COO) serves as a key member of the Executive Leadership Team and strategic partner to the Chief Executive Officer. The COO is responsible for leading the organization's day-to-day operations, implementing strategic initiatives, strengthening organizational performance, and ensuring operational excellence across all programs, departments, and service locations. This position oversees organizational infrastructure, technology, facilities, operational systems, and cross-functional collaboration while supporting sustainable growth and ensuring alignment with Step Up's mission, values, and strategic objectives.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Healthcare Administration, Organizational Leadership, Nonprofit Management, or a related field.
Seven (7) years or more of progressive executive leadership experience overseeing complex, multi-site or multi-program operations.
Demonstrated success leading organizational growth, operational improvement, financial stewardship, and strategic initiatives.
Proven ability to develop high-performing leadership teams and build collaborative organizational cultures.
Strong financial acumen with experience managing large organizational budgets.
Exceptional communication, relationship-building, leadership, and change management skills.
Demonstrated commitment to Step Up's mission and values.
Experience within nonprofit, behavioral health, healthcare, housing, human services, or other mission-driven organizations.
Experience with government-funded programs, grants management, HUD, DHCS, LACDMH, or similar regulatory environments.
Experience presenting to Boards of Directors and working with nonprofit governance.
Experience leading organizations through significant growth, organizational transformation, or multi-state expansion.

Nice To Haves

Executive leadership and strategic planning
Organizational development and operational management
Financial management and budgeting
Performance management and data analytics
Change management and process improvement
Relationship building and partnership development
Executive communication and public speaking
Leadership coaching and employee engagement
Regulatory compliance and risk management
Technology and infrastructure oversight

Responsibilities

Serve as a strategic advisor to the CEO in developing and implementing organizational priorities, strategic plans, and operational initiatives.
Provide executive leadership and oversight of agency operations across multiple states and service locations.
Develop and implement operational systems, organizational policies, workflows, and performance metrics that improve organizational effectiveness and accountability.
Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), dashboards, and operational reporting systems to support data-driven decision making.
Ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory, contractual, accreditation, and organizational requirements.
Partners with executive leadership, including the CFO, CPO, CHRO, Chief Philanthropy Development Officer, and Chief Housing Development Officer, to align operational priorities, organizational resources, and strategic initiatives.
Oversee operational budgeting for facilities, technology, infrastructure, administration, and organizational support functions.
Direct facilities management, capital planning, vendor relationships, enterprise technology, cybersecurity, data governance, business continuity, and insurance programs.
Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, servant leadership, employee engagement, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
Represent the organization before the Board of Directors, government agencies, funders, community partners, and other external stakeholders.