CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER (COO)

Lumin Schools (Lutheran Urban Mission Initiative, Inc.) - Milwaukee, WI

Part-time,Full-time - Senior

Milwaukee, WI

About the position

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) at LUMIN Schools plays a pivotal role in shaping the operational strategy and activities of the network office and school operations teams. This position is designed for a full-time, exempt employee who will work a 12-month schedule with flexible hours, including some evenings and weekends. The COO is tasked with the direct management of key operational functions, including Human Resources, Data and IT, School Nutrition, and Network Operations. This role is essential in ensuring that LUMIN Schools maintains high standards of operational excellence and compliance across all its campuses, which are dedicated to providing safe, Christian educational environments focused on academic success, leadership development, and spiritual growth. In this capacity, the COO will develop and implement strategies that ensure the network operations consistently achieve quality and efficiency in delivering services to schools. This includes creating a multi-year plan for process improvements that align with the organization's goals and realizing economies of scale. The COO will also oversee the design and implementation of operational processes that enhance coordination and collaboration across the organization, ensuring a seamless experience for schools and their communities. The COO will work closely with the Executive Team to champion a vision of operational excellence, utilizing data to assess progress and drive improvements. This role requires a strong leader who can break down silos within the organization, fostering collaboration among network directors and managers to fulfill the network's vision effectively. The COO will also provide guidance and oversight to various directors, ensuring that all operational systems, from HR to school nutrition, are practical, efficient, and aligned with the organization's mission.

Responsibilities

• Develop strategy, systems, and processes to ensure network operations consistently achieve a high bar of quality and efficiency in delivering services to schools.
• Champion a clear vision of operational excellence at the network office in service of schools and use data to assess progress towards that vision.
• Create and implement a multi-year plan for aligned network process improvements and to realize economies of scale and best-practice learning and adoption across operational functions.
• Lead the design and implementation of any changes to operational processes or structures to achieve stronger coordination and collaboration and a seamless experience for schools.
• Oversee how network directors and managers lead, collaborate, and work to effectively fulfill the vision of the network team.
• Develop strategy, systems, and processes to ensure school-level operations consistently achieve a high bar of quality and efficiency.
• Collaborate with the Director of Network Operations and Executive Team to ensure a close working relationship and tight alignment.
• Drive to resolve organization-wide or cross-functional operational questions, issues, and challenges.
• Break down silos across the organization and between teams.
• Provide guidance and oversight to the Director of HR to ensure that all HR systems are practical and efficient.
• Provide oversight for the Director of Network Operations to ensure effective management of facilities, IT, student safety, and school nutrition operations.
• Provide guidance and oversight to the Director of Marketing and Advancement to design and implement effective student recruitment, enrollment, and onboarding systems.
• Work with the Chief Financial Officer and Executive Team to prepare the annual budget.
• Handle and organize personnel and other confidential information.

Requirements

• Bachelor's in Business Management, Public Administration, Non-profit Management, a related field or a Master's in educational or nonprofit leadership.
• Minimum 5 years' professional work experience and demonstrated success in business or non-profit management.
• Demonstrated experience in successfully managing a team of professional staff members.
• Exceptional communication skills and proven ability to design and implement solutions to complex problems involving multiple groups.
• Proficient in computer technology.
• Desire to continue professional development.
• Excellent organization skills and an ability to coordinate multiple tasks and activities.
• Excellent work ethic, positive attitude, flexibility, and willingness to perform tasks assigned.
• Demonstrates ethical behavior and confidentiality of information about students and staff in a school environment and in the community.
• Must pass necessary background checks.