Branch Alliance for Educator Diversity

THE OPPORTUNITY

We are seeking a dynamic Chief Operating Officer (COO) to lead our operational strategy.

As a key member of the Executive team, you will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Your primary responsibility will be to oversee daily operations, ensuring all departments work seamlessly to achieve our business objectives in accordance with policies, goals, and objectives established by the organization. You will drive process improvements, optimize resource allocation, and foster a culture of operational excellence. Additionally, you will work closely with the leadership team to develop and implement strategic initiatives that enhance overall efficiency and productivity.

The ideal candidate will be highly collaborative, results-driven, and have a strong background in operations management. They should possess excellent leadership and analytical skills and have a proven track record of leading high-performing teams and driving organizational success.

LOCATION

Candidates who live near BranchED's home office in Peachtree, GA are preferred but candidates within the continental United States will also be considered. Employees working out of the home office in Peachtree, GA can work from home up to two days a week. All remote employees work from home full-time.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategy, Vision and Organizational Leadership

  • Serve as staff to the Board of Directors Finance and Audit Committee; effectively communicate and present critical financial matters at select board of directors and committee meetings.
  • Lead organizational planning, including the development of strategic goals and objectives at the individual, departmental, and organizational levels.
  • Maintain continuous lines of communication, keeping the president informed of all critical issues.
  • Represent the organization externally, as necessary, particularly in banking and lease negotiations.
  • Research and stay abreast of national landscape issues and developments that impact BranchED operations (non-profit, education, legal, etc.)
  • Develop contingency plans and establish processes to mitigate financial, operational, and reputational risks.

Operations Management

  • Oversee daily organizational operations and promote cross-functional collaboration and communication to unify the organization and ensure seamless workflow.
  • Ensure organizational compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal operational laws, regulations, and practices.
  • Review and evaluate all business insurance and ensure adequate coverage and compliance.
  • Oversee the organization’s technology plan, including the assessment of needs as well as the procurement of hardware, software, and services.
  • Oversee, direct, and organize the work of operations team members (including business operations, people operations, and an external IT contractor) collectively, through guidance to proper resources and coaching to maximize productivity.
  • Identify and eliminate operational inefficiencies to boost productivity and reduce costs.
    Collaborate with Project Leads to ensure facilities support curricular needs in convenings, meetings, and special events. Coordinate partners and vendors to support effective events.
  • Oversee and ensure smooth operations of human capital systems and structures, including professional employer organizations, insurances, 401K, employee benefits, and external financial and accounting consultants.

Financial Management

  • Lead the financial management of the organization, including annual budgeting process, annual audit, and relevant financial reporting.
  • Support the President and CEO in analyzing, managing, and preparing timely and accurate reports on financial status for relevant audiences, including ensuring compliance with financial grant requirements for BranchED as both grantee and grantor
  • Advise the president and other key members of senior management on financial planning, budgeting, cash flow, investment priorities, and policy matters.
  • Oversee financial forecasting for current and future fiscal years.
  • Manage accounting partner and streamline processes to ensure financial information is current and accurate.
  • Manage staff purchasing card system in accordance to organizational policies.
  • Monitor invoices, money handling procedures, accounting, and bank processes.
  • Work closely with the entire team to create and utilize standard operating procedures for expense reporting, travel planning, and other financial matters.
  • Negotiate and manage contracts for organization, including with consultants, vendors, lessors, and other partners as needed.
  • Annually review and enhance an appropriate system of policies, internal controls, accounting standards, and procedures.
  • Develop and maintain financial models to improve financial performance and aid in fundraising efforts. Optimize expenses and cash flow to support sustainable growth.
  • Assist in exploring new market opportunities and diversifying revenue streams.

Team Development/Talent Leadership

  • Manage the overall strategy, purpose, and vision of the entire Human Resources function: benefits, payroll, 401k, recruitment, learning and development, culture, performance management, and succession planning.
  • Work with President to analyze and determine staffing capacity needs.
  • Establish and monitor staff performance and development goals, assign accountabilities, set objectives, establish priorities, conduct annual performance appraisals, and administer salary adjustments.
  • Monitor staff compliance with organizational policies and procedures.
  • Mentor and develop staff using a supportive and collaborative approach.
  • Coordinate job postings in coordination with the President & CEO and the Senior Management Team;
  • Manage third party PEO to ensure organizational compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal labor laws, regulations, and practices.
  • Implement training programs and employee development initiatives to enhance team skills and productivity.
  • Mentor junior executives, set up performance management processes, and foster a company culture of growth and mentorship.

Other

  • Help cultivate an intentional organizational culture representing organizational values
  • Other duties as assigned

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

  • A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in relevant domain. An MBA or other relevant management degree is preferred.
  • A minimum of 5 years in an executive or senior management position, ideally as a COO or in a similar position.
  • Relevant certifications and/or experience managing human resources, finances, operations, and/or strategies in a nonprofit environment.

KEY QUALIFICATIONS

Some essential qualifications, experiences, and mindsets to be successful in the role include:

Trained and Experienced Finance and Operations Leader

  • Demonstrated excellence in operations . . .
  • Demonstrated excellence in managing finance, accounting, budgeting processes, internal controls, and reporting for a national nonprofit with a budget of $5M+
  • Ownership of the accuracy, quality, and content of all financial data, reporting, and audit coordination
  • Technological experience: Sage Intacct and SAP Concur accounting software and database programs, Microsoft Office 365, SharePoint, Salesforce, Zoom, and Dropbox
  • Willingness to travel to annual team retreats and other organizational events as necessarY

Strategist and Systems Builder

  • A visionary with the ability to anticipate needs and future opportunities
  • Creative problem-solver with the ability to identify and address issues proactively
  • Experience improving on existing and implementing new systems, policies, and procedures to provide more effective, efficient, and user-friendly tools and resources
  • Successful track record in setting priorities and meeting goals
  • Keen analytic, organization, and problem-solving skills that support and enable sound decision-making

Empathetic Communicator and Collaborator

  • Excellent relationship-building skills and ability to build and maintain authentic relationships
  • Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills to communicate complex ideas with visuals and data to internal and external audiences
  • Ability to translate financial concepts to – and to effectively collaborate with – programmatic and fundraising colleagues who do not necessarily have financial backgrounds
  • Experience managing vendor relationships
  • Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and willingness to ‘roll up sleeves’ to get things done

Alignment to Mission, Values, and Commitment to Educational Excellence

  • A passion and commitment to BranchED’s mission
  • Ability to apply an inclusive and equitable approach to work and decision-making
  • A positive attitude and affect, high degree of flexibility, curiosity to learn, creativity, dedication, resourcefulness, and energy

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

A competitive salary, commensurate with skills and experience, within the range of $175,000 - $219,000.

Additionally, we offer excellent benefits to fulltime employees, including the following:

  • Medical insurance with up to 100% employer contribution
  • Dental, vision, FSA, life and disability insurance plans
  • 401 (K) retirement plan with an employer match of up to 6% of your compensation. Eligibility after 90 days of employment
  • Generous time off including 18 days of paid time off (to be taken for sickness or vacation) and 8 organization-wide paid holidays, as well as a winter break from December 24 through January 1 and a summer break the week of July 4
  • Paid parental leave to support new parents during an important life transition
  • Relocation assistance to ease the transition for new hires moving to work in the home office
  • Individual wellness wallets to contribute to employee wellbeing
  • Funds for professional development to support continuous learning and career growth
  • Ample opportunities to connect with the faculty/leaders, students, and communities we serve
  • A hybrid work culture with the option to work from home up to two times per week

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

BranchED is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes a diverse pool of applicants for this search. We are committed to fostering a culture of inclusion and welcome individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States, as we are not authorized to sponsor the H-1B visa.

The Branch Alliance for Educator Diversity does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, or other characteristics covered by law with regard to employment opportunities. We are an inclusive organization and actively promote equality of opportunity for all with the right mix of talent, skills and potential. Selection for roles will be based on individual merit alone.

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