Chief Operating Officer

$175,000 - $195,000/Yr

Jewish Federation Of Greater Seattle - Seattle, WA

Full-time - Senior

Seattle, WA

Administrative and Support Services

About the position

The Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle is seeking a Chief Operating Officer (COO) to join our team during a pivotal moment of change and growth. As the COO, you will play a crucial role in shaping the future of our organization, which is dedicated to serving the Jewish community amidst rising antisemitism and the ongoing repercussions of recent events in Israel. Your exceptional operational and strategic expertise will be vital in leading our organization through this transformative era. We are looking for a leader who can inspire and mentor a diverse team, possess a strategic vision, and demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement. This position will serve as the internal partner to the CEO, collaborating closely to develop and implement organizational strategies that align with our mission and values. In this role, you will oversee the daily operations of the Federation, ensuring that all functions run smoothly and effectively. You will be responsible for supervising senior staff, managing financial and operational performance, and driving initiatives that enhance productivity and outcomes. Additionally, you will lead the development and implementation of HR policies that foster a positive and inclusive work culture, ensuring compliance with employment laws and regulations. Your leadership will also extend to the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Seattle, where you will supervise staff and systems to ensure excellent customer service and strong relationships with vendors and donor advisors. As a key member of our leadership team, you will partner with the CEO and Board members to identify and develop lay leaders, optimize governance processes, and enhance organizational effectiveness. This is an exciting opportunity to make a lasting impact on the Jewish community and help shape the future of our organization.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the CEO and Board members to develop and implement organizational strategies and operational vision of the Federation.
• Lead the execution of strategic initiatives and ensure alignment with the Federation's mission and values.
• Partner with the CEO and Board Finance Committee on various matters including the audit and investment decisions.
• Build organizational and staff capacity, develop processes that ensure the Federation runs smoothly, establishes a best practice environment, and promotes teamwork across the organization.
• Utilize data in the ongoing evaluation of the Federation's work to meet community needs and organizational goals.
• Drive operational excellence and continuous improvement across all functions of the organization.
• Oversee daily operations of the Federation, supervising senior staff responsible for finance, IT, data management and analysis, and the community foundation.
• Support the Director of Finance in maintaining the Federation's short and long-term budgets, forecasts, and financial controls.
• Ensure effective and efficient systems and processes are in place to support the organization's activities and goals.
• Monitor and evaluate operational performance, making data-driven decisions to enhance productivity and outcomes.
• Provide executive leadership and support to SAFE Washington - the Jewish communal security program housed at the Federation.
• Identify and mitigate operational risks to ensure the safety and security of the Federation's assets and reputation.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures to manage risks effectively.
• Negotiate and review high-value contracts and manage the process of contract review across the organization.
• Develop and implement HR policies and procedures that foster a positive and inclusive work culture that aligns with the Federation's values.
• Lead and manage the HR function, including recruitment, retention, onboarding, development, performance management, and employee relations.
• Implement professional development programs to enhance staff skills and capabilities.
• Develop clear roles, responsibilities, and reporting structures for staff to maintain a strong, high performing organizational culture.
• Ensure HR policies and procedures are regularly updated and implemented to ensure equity and compliance; serve as a go-to resource for employee relations challenges and opportunities.
• Ensure compliance with employment laws and regulations.
• Supervise staff and systems of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Seattle, which has approximately $75M in various funds.
• Ensure smooth operations, excellent customer service, and strong relationships with vendors and donor advisors.
• Partner with the Development Director to create and implement a growth plan for the Foundation.
• Partner with CEO and Development Director to identify, onboard, and develop lay leaders to support the Federation's mission.
• Collaborate with the CEO and Board Chair to develop and implement governance best practices.
• Ensure governance protocols are adhered to and that the Board of Directors is well-supported in its governance role.
• Optimize governance processes to enhance organizational effectiveness and accountability.

Requirements

• 10+ years of senior-level financial, operations, HR, systems and project management experience.
• Deep professional experience in business administration, nonprofit management, human resources, or a related field.
• Proactive leader and a true thought partner to the CEO.
• A champion of senior leadership teams in program and administration.
• Extensive management experience, and the ability to provide advice on strategic HR decisions, especially in a time of transition or organizational growth.
• Proven financial management skills; experience creating annual operating plans and budgets that support strategic objectives.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of data analysis and decision-support metrics resulting in strategies/activities that lead to desired outcomes.
• Proven ability to translate operational issues and strategies in actionable plans, including process change and technology solutions.

Nice-to-haves

• Passion for the Federation's greater mission.
• Excellent strategic, organizational, and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, short-term needs, and long-term planning.
• Approachable and effective manager with ability to lead and inspire a diverse senior team.
• Able to effectively set and manage priorities and deadlines and to coach others to do the same.
• Self-starter who is proactive, and eager to both make decisions and act as a decision-making sounding board, where needed.
• Strong financial acumen and experience in budget management.
• Knowledge of HR best practices and experience in HR leadership.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail, intellectual curiosity, and receptivity to feedback.
• Understanding of Jewish culture, values, and community dynamics is a plus.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Short-term disability
• Long-term disability
• Life insurance
• Retirement plan
• Twenty (20) vacation days (with increasing vacation days over time)
• Five (5) sick days annually
• Nine (9) national holidays and Jewish holidays which vary year to year