Chief Operating Officer
3 days ago
Raleigh
Job Description At Catapult, we are supporting our member, NC Child, in their search for a Chief Operating Officer. NC Child is based in Raleigh, NC, and this is a full time hybrid role with occasional travel requirements. The Opportunity NC Child seeks its first Chief Operating Officer (COO) to help the growing organization achieve its vision of a North Carolina where every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential. Reporting directly to the Executive Director, the COO will provide oversight for all of the organization's internal operations. The ideal candidate will be an experienced operational leader with a deep commitment to improving the lives of all North Carolina children. They will have a proven ability to foster a collaborative, high-performing workplace culture, build efficient systems, and effectively manage organizational resources. About NC Child NC Child is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that advocates for public policies that improve the lives of all North Carolina children. As the state's only multi-issue child advocacy organization, NC Child's work addresses policies that affect the whole child, including health and well-being, early childhood education, and family economic security. NC Child is a leading source of state-level research and data on the issues affecting children and families, and the organization serves as a trusted and reliable source for policymakers and other child advocates across the state. NC Child believes that the voices of youth and families are critical to identifying specific needs, and to developing, and advocating for, policy solutions. NC Child is committed to uplifting those voices in every aspect of our work. Our statewide Child Advocacy Network, including our Youth Advocacy Council and Parent Advisory Council, are critical partners in achieving our mission. Position Overview The Chief Operating Officer (COO) will lead the organization's internal operations and facilitate strong alignment across teams in support of our mission to improve the lives of North Carolina's children. Reporting to the Executive Director, the COO will ensure that NC Child's programs, people, and systems work together effectively to advance organizational priorities. The COO will provide leadership, coordination, and support across departments and supervise the organization's senior leadership roles, helping translate strategy into clear deliverables, strong performance, and cross-team collaboration. By ensuring strong internal operations, the COO will enable the Executive Director (ED) to focus the majority of their time on strategic and external matters, including high-level advocacy, fundraising, public relations, partnerships, board and stakeholder engagement, and strategic planning. The ideal candidate will be a thoughtful, mission-driven leader with strong organizational management experience and the ability to guide and support senior staff while strengthening internal systems and processes. This role requires a results-oriented, strategic thinker who can manage complexity, promote accountability, and foster a collaborative, high-performing culture. Responsibilities Leadership & Management: Serve as the internal operational leader of the organization, ensuring effective day-to-day management and strong coordination across teams. • Provide visible, supportive leadership for a team of 20+ full-time staff, fostering open communication, collaboration, and a culture of accountability., • Supervise and support the organization's senior leadership, development, and operations staff, setting clear expectations and providing regular feedback and guidance., • Meet regularly with staff to review progress toward goals, address challenges, and ensure effective use of operational systems and processes., • Facilitate effective leadership and staff meetings that promote alignment, problem-solving, and timely decision-making., • Cultivate a collaborative, motivating workplace culture that encourages energy, enthusiasm, and shared commitment to the organization's mission and goals. Human Resources: Provide leadership and oversight for the organization's human resources functions and staff development practices. • Lead human resources functions including recruitment, hiring, onboarding, performance management, staff development, and retention., • Oversee and continuously improve the organization's hiring and onboarding processes to ensure a strong and equitable candidate and employee experience., • Lead the organization's performance management process, supporting staff in setting goals and evaluating progress toward organizational priorities., • Ensure clear and consistent HR policies and practices that support compliance with employment law and reflect the organization's values., • Promote professional development and growth opportunities for staff at all stages of their careers., • Lead the annual compensation review process, using market benchmarks and sector data to ensure salary ranges remain competitive and aligned with organizational values., • Oversee administration of employee benefit plans and relationships with external HR and benefits vendors as needed. Finance, Technology, and Administrative Operations: Provide strategic oversight of the organization's financial management, infrastructure, and administrative operations, supporting effective stewardship of a multi-million dollar annual operating budget. • Oversee budgeting processes, financial planning, and adherence to financial policies in partnership with the Finance Director and Executive Director., • Coordinate the organization's annual operational planning and budgeting processes in collaboration with the Executive Director and Finance Director., • Lead development of grant proposal budgets for foundation funding opportunities in partnership with the Grants Director and Finance Director., • Ensure compliance with all legal, contractual, and funder requirements, including employment regulations, financial controls, reporting obligations, and program standards., • Oversee management of office facilities, technology infrastructure, and internal systems to ensure staff have safe, reliable, and effective environments and tools to support their work. Organizational Performance and Executive Decision Support: Strengthen systems that track progress, support organizational accountability, and enable effective leadership decision-making. • Translate organizational strategy into clear operational and programmatic plans with defined timelines, accountability structures, and staff ownership., • Develop and maintain systems for tracking organizational goals and key performance indicators., • Provide regular analysis and updates to the Executive Director to support informed decision-making., • Work closely with the Executive Director to ensure she has the information and operational insight needed to guide strategic decisions and represent the organization externally. Qualifications The ideal candidate will be a collaborative and strategic operational leader who brings strong management experience and a commitment to NC Child's mission. • At least 7-10 years of management experience supervising staff, including at least 3 years supervising senior staff and leading cross-functional teams., • Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree (MBA, MPA, or similar) preferred, or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience., • Demonstrated ability to manage complex priorities, exercise sound judgment, and solve problems in a dynamic environment., • Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to foster collaboration across teams and support staff success., • Demonstrated ability to anticipate challenges, take initiative, and develop effective solutions., • Significant experience managing organizational systems such as human resources, financial oversight, operational planning, and internal processes., • Proven ability to translate organizational strategy into effective operational practices and measurable results., • Experience leading organizational planning processes, including goal-setting, performance tracking, and accountability systems., • Ability to learn technology systems quickly and implement new systems across the organization. Bonus Qualifications • Familiarity with child advocacy issues and policies in North Carolina., • Experience working in a nonprofit advocacy, policy, or mission-driven organization., • Experience in fundraising and development, including managing individual, corporate, and foundation giving. Leadership Philosophy NC Child believes that strong internal leadership is essential to advancing our mission. The Chief Operating Officer will lead with a spirit of collaboration, transparency, and accountability, supporting staff and strengthening the systems that allow our team to do their best work. This role requires a leader who listens well, communicates clearly, and fosters a culture where staff feel supported, empowered, and accountable for results. The COO will approach operations not as bureaucracy, but as a tool for enabling impact – building clear processes, aligning teams around shared priorities, and ensuring the organization has the infrastructure needed to sustain and grow its work on behalf of children and families across North Carolina. What Success Looks Like in the First 12 Months In the first year, the Chief Operating Officer will focus on strengthening the systems and structures that enable NC Child's team to do their best work and advance the organization's mission. Successful candidates will: • Build strong, trusting relationships with the Executive Director, senior leadership team, and staff, establishing themselves as a supportive and effective internal leader., • Strengthen cross-team coordination and communication to ensure staff are aligned around organizational priorities and working efficiently toward shared goals., • Assess and improve key operational systems, including planning processes, internal communication practices, and performance tracking tools., • Lead a smooth and effective annual planning and budgeting process that aligns organizational goals, staffing capacity, and financial resources., • Strengthen the organization's performance management systems so staff have clear goals, accountability, and support for professional growth., • Ensure the organization's human resources, financial, and administrative systems are functioning effectively and supporting staff success., • Develop clear, reliable systems for tracking organizational goals and key performance indicators, providing the Executive Director and leadership team with the information needed to guide strategic decisions., • Help cultivate a workplace culture that reflects NC Child's values and promotes collaboration, accountability, and shared commitment to improving outcomes for North Carolina's children. Position Requirements • Full-Time, 40 hours per week, • NC Child uses a hybrid work model. This person will be required to work in person at the NC Child office in Raleigh an average of 3-4 days each week., • This person will occasionally need to travel around and outside of the state. They will be reimbursed for all mileage traveled to project sites at the standard IRS rate for business purposes., • NC Child requires staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Compensation & Benefits NC Child offers a competitive salary and benefits package, including 100% employer-paid health, vision, and dental insurance, a dependent care flexible spending account, 529 plan, 25 days of PTO, paid family leave, a sabbatical program, and a commitment to professional development. The hiring range for this position is $110,000 -$125,000, depending on training and experience. To Apply NC Child is committed to building a team that reflects the diversity, talent, and experiences of the communities we serve. We encourage candidates from a wide range of backgrounds to apply, even if you do not meet every qualification listed. This is an exciting opportunity to help strengthen the internal systems and leadership that support NC Child's mission to improve the lives of all North Carolina children. If you are a strategic and collaborative operational leader who is passionate about supporting teams and advancing meaningful change for children and families, we invite you to apply. Submit an application along with: • Resume, • Cover Letter, • List of 3 Professional References NC Child is an equal opportunity employer, and we encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply.
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