Chief Operating Officer
5 days ago
New York
The Problem Blue Hour is Solving America is facing a workforce housing crisis. We're short 4-7 million homes, and the people who keep our communities running are bearing the cost. Teachers commute two hours each way. Nurses sleep in their cars between shifts. Resort towns can't staff restaurants because workers can't afford rent within 50 miles. Factory employees choose between housing and other necessities. When essential workers can't afford to live near their jobs, everyone loses. Employers struggle to retain talent. Communities lose the people who make them function. And workers sacrifice their financial security, their time with family, and often their health just to stay employed. About Blue Hour Housing Blue Hour Housing is tackling this crisis head-on. We develop and manage high-quality, affordable workforce housing through partnerships with employers, nonprofits, and government agencies. Using adaptive reuse, strategic renovations, and new construction, we're creating housing solutions where they're needed most. We've proven the model. Today we operate properties across Vermont, Connecticut, Colorado, and South Carolina, partnering with employers such as Vail Resorts, Killington Resort, and Climax Molybdenum. Now we're scaling nationally to reach the communities and workers who need us most. The Opportunity Blue Hour is seeking a Chief Operating Officer (COO) to lead the design, planning, and integration of the company’s operating platform as we continue to scale nationally. This role is a senior leadership position and a close partner to the CEO, responsible for translating strategy into execution and directly managing functional leaders across property management, development, finance, and business development. The COO will focus on building the operating model, systems, and processes that enable functional leaders to execute effectively and the company to scale efficiently. The COO will ensure alignment across teams, create clarity around priorities and decision-making, and establish the operating rhythm of the business. The right candidate is a self-starter with an owner’s mindset, strong systems thinking, and a track record of operational rigor in complex, scaling businesses. This is a highly impactful role for a leader excited to help shape the next phase of an emerging platform. What You Will Do Operating Model & Strategic Planning o Design and continuously improve Blue Hour's end-to-end operating model, from new site onboarding through stabilization and steady-state operations o Translate company strategy into clear operating plans, priorities, and execution frameworks o Establish company-wide planning cycles, goal-setting processes, and performance management systems o Build the annual and quarterly planning model that keeps the company aligned and moving forward Cross-Functional Integration o Ensure alignment and integration across Property Management, Development, Finance, and Business Development o Serve as the connective tissue between functional leaders—clarifying roles, decision rights, and accountability o Facilitate cross-functional collaboration and act as the escalation point for cross-functional barriers o Develop structure and processes as needed to keep teams coordinated Systems, Processes & Scale o Design and implement scalable systems, tools, and standard operating procedures to support rapid portfolio growth o Identify operational bottlenecks and lead cross-functional solutions o Evaluate and implement new technologies and workflows to improve efficiency, visibility, and accountability o Drive standardization where appropriate while preserving flexibility at the property level o Build the playbook: what does excellent look like at every stage from acquisition to operations? Performance & Governance o Establish KPIs, dashboards, and operating reviews that give the leadership team real-time visibility into business performance o Partner with Finance on budgeting, forecasting, and long-range planning from an operational lens o Ensure consistency in quality, execution standards, and performance across the portfolio o Develop accountability mechanisms to enhance transparency and drive results Leadership & Company Building o Partner closely with the CEO on execution, prioritization, and organizational design o Support and coach functional leaders—helping them succeed without taking over their responsibilities o Help build the internal structure, operating cadence, and culture required to scale to 50+ properties and beyond o Play a key role in recruiting, developing, and retaining high-caliber talent as the organization grows What You Bring o 10+ years of experience in consulting or operations leadership, ideally in real estate, hospitality, housing, or another operationally intensive business o Proven track record building and scaling operating models, systems, and teams—not just running existing operations o Strong cross-functional leadership skills with the ability to align diverse stakeholders o Experience working closely with founders or executive teams in growth-stage organizations o Comfortable operating in ambiguity and building structure and process o Highly organized with excellent written, verbal, and general communication skills What Sets You Apart o Builder’s Mindset: You’re a self-starter who has a strong bias for action, thrives in ambiguity, moves fast with limited direction, and is excited to design and implement scalable operating models and systems. You don’t wait to be told what to do – you take initiative to create clarity and momentum. o Strategic Systems Thinker: You connect dots across people, process, and product. You design solutions that solve today’s problems while laying the foundation for years to come. o Execution-Driven Operator: You’re a pragmatic problem solver who’s been in the trenches. You have strong organizational and project management instincts, can rigorously manage priorities with attention to detail, and know how to deliver tangible results. o Force-Multiplier Teammate: You elevate the room. You collaborate easily, share credit, and care more about winning as a team than being the hero. Employee Benefits o Equity o Performance-based bonuses o Comprehensive health benefits package o Flexible work location with proximity to major airports (current team based in NYC) o Unlimited paid time off (PTO) At Blue Hour Housing, we value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We encourage qualified candidates of all backgrounds to apply. Note: This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the position and is not exhaustive. Responsibilities and duties may change as the needs of the organization evolve.