Chief Operating Officer - Houston

The Jewish Federations Of North America - Houston, TX

Full-time - Senior

Houston, TX

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations

About the position

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) at the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston (JFGH) plays a pivotal role in overseeing the organization's operations, financial management, human resources, information technology, and compliance. This position is integral to the senior leadership team and reports directly to the CEO. The COO is responsible for building, implementing, and managing the processes, workflows, and procedures that enable the organization to function effectively and efficiently. By managing day-to-day activities, the COO allows the CEO to focus on broader strategic initiatives that drive the mission of JFGH forward. In collaboration with the CEO and other senior leaders, including the Chief Marketing Officer, Chief Impact Officer, and Chief Philanthropy Officer, the COO will develop and manage the operational aspects of the annual budget. This role requires creating structure, efficiency, and accountability across all departments, ensuring that the organization meets its objectives and serves the community effectively. The COO will also be responsible for planning, developing, and implementing operational policies that align with the organization's goals. This includes establishing a consensus-driven structure for effective administrative operations, analyzing operational data to identify improvement opportunities, and overseeing the development and submission of the annual operating budget. The COO will manage relationships with outsourced vendors and partners, ensuring that contracts are negotiated effectively and that the organization maintains strong external relationships. Leadership is a key component of this role, as the COO will lead and mentor their team, fostering a culture of motivation and vision. They will work closely with the CEO to implement the organizational vision and strategy, build cross-functional relationships, and provide oversight for all operations, including finance, HR, legal, and IT. The COO will also be responsible for optimizing systems and processes to enhance efficiency and productivity, evaluating departmental performance, and managing staff performance through clear goal-setting and feedback.

Responsibilities

• Oversee operations, financials, human resources, information technology, and compliance.
• Plan, develop, and implement operational policies aligned with organizational objectives.
• Establish and administer an adequate structure for effective administrative operations.
• Analyze operations data to identify opportunities for improvement and implement solutions.
• Oversee the development and submission of an annual operating budget.
• Manage relationships with outsourced Accounting, HR, and IT vendors and partners.
• Conduct salary surveys and coordinate with leaders to ensure equity across the organization.
• Serve as the primary liaison to the Finance Committee and interpret financial results.
• Develop and control operating budgets to ensure fiscal accountability.
• Lead and mentor the team, providing vision and guidance.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required, Master's degree preferred.
• Ten or more years of work experience in progressively responsible roles.
• Five or more years leading teams with indirect reports.
• Strong operations and financial skills.
• Excellence in organizational and people management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Stellar communication and public speaking skills.
• Tech savvy with the ability to assess and implement technological improvements.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience working with non-profit organizations preferred.