Chief Operating Officer

Chief Operating Officer

 

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a full-time position responsible for leading internal operations, policies, and practices to support the organization’s mission and strategic objectives. The COO reports to the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and manages assigned department leaders and other senior-level employees. The COO will also support Fellows through the National Leadership Program.

 

The COO will oversee key aspects of organizational management and performance, including department development and work planning, program evaluation, financial planning and budget management, human resources, and compliance. The COO must possess strong operational know-how, including budget and finance skills, be an exceptional communicator, be able to multi-task, advise senior management and the President and CEO, and work with limited supervision.

 

About the Organization

 

Disability Belongs™ is a diverse, disability-led nonprofit that works to create systemic change in how society views and values people with disabilities, and that advances policies and practices that empower people with disabilities to have a better future. Our mission is to fight stigmas and advance opportunities so people with disabilities can fully participate in all aspects of community.

 

Core Responsibilities

 

All employees of Disability Belongs™ will conduct themselves in accordance with its Core Tenets:

• Accessibility, Inclusion, and Belonging

• Collaboration

• Commitment to Performance Metrics

 

Key Responsibilities

 

Organizational Leadership

 

• Collaborate with CEO in setting and driving organizational vision and the operations strategy to implement that vision.

• Build upon the organization’s culture of commitment to inclusive standards of operation at all levels of the organization.

• Create an environment that reflects an absolute commitment to mission and a continual pursuit of quality improvement.

• Ensure ongoing programmatic strength, rigorous program evaluation, and consistent excellence in finance and administration, management, staff development, and communications.

• Develop short- and long-term planning processes to successfully implement the organization’s mission and vision, including guidelines and approaches to the annual budget process and strategic planning.

• Cultivate a strong and transparent working relationship with the Board of Directors, including open communication concerning the measurement of financial, programmatic, and impact performance metrics against established milestones and goals.

• Monitor and respond to changing internal and external factors that will impact the needs of the communities that the organization serves.

• Ensure that the organization is meeting the needs and high expectations of staff, Board, Fellows, and other partners on accessibility, inclusion, and belonging.

• Setting and achieving the strategic direction for increased revenue generation from its fee-for-service programs.

• Support the Board of Directors in fulfilling its governance responsibilities, including providing regular updates, reports, and recommendations on organizational performance and strategic initiatives.

• Develop and implement communication strategies to promote the organization’s mission, programs, and impact to internal and external stakeholders.

• Engage with the community served by the organization to understand their needs, gather feedback, and foster collaboration and partnerships.

• Collaborate with the CEO to cultivate and maintain strategic partnerships with other organizations, government agencies, funders, and stakeholders to advance the organization’s mission and objectives.

• Identify and mitigate risks to the organization, including legal, financial, operational, and reputational risks.

• Lead the evaluation of programs and services to ensure alignment with the organization’s mission and strategic objectives.

• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and organizational policies, as well as adherence to best practices in nonprofit governance.

 

Management and Operations

 

• Translate operational strategy into actionable steps for growth, implementing organization-wide goal setting, performance management, and annual operations planning.

• Oversee company operations and employee productivity, building a highly inclusive culture that ensures team members can thrive and that organizational goals are met.

• Exercise general management of the agency.

• Foster an empowering culture that develops talent for future opportunities.

• Encourage a high-functioning organization where people can bring their 360-degree authentic selves to work and through the promotion of increased collaboration, trust, and teamwork.

• Demonstrate nimbleness in acting quickly and decisively to seize upon new opportunities and respond to imminent threats.

• Establish steps, timetables, and resources for the accomplishment of short- and long-term objectives.

• Articulate clear goals and responsibilities that result in continuous performance improvement.

• Ensure that the organization acts according to the highest legal, ethical, and professional standards.

• Ensure efficient and effective operations through sound business and fiscal practices.

• Establish and monitor quality assurance processes to ensure the effectiveness and impact of the organization’s programs and services.

• Support the CEO in identifying opportunities for organizational growth and development, including potential expansion of programs, services, and geographic reach.

• AS a member of the Human Resources team, provide oversight of human resource functions, including recruitment, hiring, training, performance management, and employee relations.

• Oversee the implementation and management of technology solutions and information systems to support organizational operations and program delivery.

 

Fundraising and Resource Development

 

• Collaborate closely with the Development team to align fundraising strategies with organizational goals and objectives.

• Ensure that fundraising efforts are integrated into overall organizational planning and programming, with a focus on diversifying funding streams and maximizing revenue generation.

• Monitor fundraising progress and outcomes compared with budget, providing regular updates to senior leadership and the Board of Directors.

• Supervise budget and fiscal management across divisions of the organization to ensure short and long-term sustainability.

• Support the Development and Operations leads in building project budgets and developing appropriate metrics for reporting to individual and institutional funders.

 

Finance, Budget, and Resource Management

 

• In partnership with the CEO, prepare, plan, and project a sustainable growth strategy.

• Assess and assure the financial feasibility of new initiatives being considered by the organization, based on evolving needs and priorities.

• Direct Finance team and staff processes for developing the annual budget to ensure a financially sound operation.

• Monitor all finances and program objectives by collaborating closely with the Vice President of Finance and Operations.

• Oversee the Finance team’s preparation for and management of the annual, independent audit and year-round work with auditors.

• Provide financial planning, analysis, and reporting to support decision-making and ensure the organization’s financial sustainability.

 

Qualifications

 

• At least 12 years of successful and progressive management experience in organizations of similar size and complexity with multidisciplinary teams, ideally in a senior management position with significant experience collaborating with and reporting to a Board of Directors and/or other key leadership stakeholders.

• At least 6 years of direct experience in marketing, sales, operations, and/or business development, ideally within the same organization.

• MBA, MPA, CPA, or equivalent education/certification/training required.

• Experience collaborating and supporting other executive leaders, especially CEOs, strongly preferred.

• Experience managing program and project managers/leaders, and departments/divisions of an organization required. Experience with organizational budget development and management strongly preferred.

• Strong track record with programmatic and/or organizational performance metrics and evaluation, especially aligned to an overarching strategic plan.

• Consistently demonstrates strategic thinking, conscientious time/resource management, and adept project management, alongside sharp analytical and reasoning skills.

• Expert proficiency in QuickBooks, Salesforce, and Microsoft Office products strongly preferred.

• Strong lived-disability experience, commitment to disability issues and access, as well as a strong interest in issues of intersectionality and other marginalized communities.

• Proven track record of success in areas of budget development, fiscal management, fundraising, strategic planning, operational workflows/standard operating procedures, and financial resource development.

• Sound judgment/decision-making to navigate complex issues and dynamics with the sensitivity to understand and respect diversity of opinions of others, especially those with diverse lived experiences.

• Financial and political acumen, business management, and forecasting skills; the ability to link strategy and operational goals to fiscal realities and evolving programmatic priorities.

• Reputation as a structured yet nimble team builder with demonstrated success leading, motivating, supporting, and collaborating with teams and staff of various levels.

• Unquestioned integrity and values, including an intersectional approach to Accessibility, Inclusion, and Belonging (AIB).

• Unwavering commitment to organizational change/growth/improvement.

• Strong communication skills to convey the organization’s objectives to employees, stakeholders, and partners.

• The ability to align operational activities with the organization’s strategic vision and the skills to manage all organizational operations, including design, operations, maintenance, and system improvements.

• Excellent communication, relationship management, and problem-solving skills, including the ability to maintain healthy relationships with stakeholders at all levels.

 

Salary Range: $125,000 to $135,000. Please note, the final salary offer is dependent on our pay equity policy which determines your salary based on the position’s pay band, your level of experience, the number of direct reports, and your education. To ensure continued pay equity within the organization and with the external market, we do not negotiate initial salary offers or salaries post-hiring.

 

To apply, please send your resume, two professional, policy-related writing samples, and cover letter to HR@DisabilityBelongs.org. Please make sure that the subject line includes the words “COO.” Resumes without cover letters may not be considered.

 

Disability Belongs™ is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices. We value a diverse workforce and strive to be a fully inclusive and equitable workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, age, a record of arrest or conviction, or other legally protected characteristics. Black people, Indigenous people, people of color; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex people, people of marginalized genders; people with disabilities; protected veterans; and formerly incarcerated individuals are all strongly encouraged to apply.

 

When an applicant with a disability needs an accommodation to have an equal opportunity to compete for a job, they may request it orally or in writing. Please contact Human Resources by email or phone: Tonya Koslo at TonyaK@DisabilityBelongs.org or 202-871-2345.