Description

PURPOSE STATEMENT:

The COO will provide both strategic financial and operational leadership as a key member of the Senior Management Team. The COO will report to the Executive Director. This position supervises the Finance, Human Resources, Operations, Facilities, and Information Technology and Client Intake functions, leading a team of four direct reports (Finance Director, Operations Director, Grant Budget Manager and Director of Grants and Strategic Initiatives) and approximately 12 professionals in total. Together these teams support Ayuda’s three offices (DC, Fairfax, Virginia and Silver Spring, Maryland) with a $12 million budget, and 90 staff and thousands of clients served each year. The COO will oversee the organization’s finances, operations, grant writing and grant management functions. They will help to measure progress against organizational goals and strategic plan, maximizing the use of available resources across departments. The COO will help lead in cultivating Ayuda’s values throughout the organization. 

ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE

Ayuda is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing direct legal, social and language access services, education, and outreach to low-income immigrants in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Since 1973, Ayuda has provided critical services on a wide range of issues, in the process acquiring nationally recognized expertise in several fields including immigration law, language access, domestic violence and human trafficking. Ayuda has office locations in Washington, DC, Silver Spring, MD and Fairfax, VA. 

WHY DO YOU WANT THIS JOB?

Because, just like everyone at Ayuda, you believe:

· In seeing communities where all immigrants succeed and thrive in the United States.

· In the overall success of our organization and all our programs.

· That families should be healthy and safe from harm.

· That all people should have access to professional, honest, and ethical services, regardless of ability to pay or status in this country.

· That diversity and equality make this country better.

WHAT WILL THIS JOB ENTAIL?

Strategy, Vision and Organizational Leadership 

· Contribute to the development of Ayuda’s strategic goals and objectives as well as the overall management of the organization. 

· Provide leadership of the organization when the Executive Director is out of office. 

· Ensure?that Operations, HR, Finance, IT and grant management systems are optimized for efficient performance throughout the organization.

· Provide strategic leadership in decisions around what funding Ayuda pursues and help build/improve systems for how funding restrictions and requirements are managed within the organization.

· Advise the Executive Director and other key members of senior management on financial planning, budgeting, cash flow, growth priorities, and policy matters. 

· Serve as the management liaison to the board finance committee in partnership with the Director of Finance; effectively communicate and present critical financial matters at select board of directors and committee meetings. 

· Serve as the management liaison to the board governance committee in partnership with the Director of Operations and Director of Development to effectively communicate governance issues at select Board of Director and Committee meetings. 

· Maintain continuous lines of communication open, keeping the Executive Director informed of critical issues. 

· Represent the organization externally, as necessary, such as in banking and lease negotiations. 

· Be accountable for implementing best practices in organizational policies and procedures to ensure compliance, maximize efficiency, and enhance staff experience. 

Team Development/Leadership 

· Create and develop an exceptional partnership with leadership across the organization and within their own team. 

· Oversee, direct, and organize the work of the finance, grants and operations/HR teams. 

· Promote a culture of high performance and continuous improvement. 

· Ensure staff members receive timely and appropriate training and development. 

· Establish and monitor staff performance and development goals, assign accountabilities, set objectives, and establish priorities. 

· Mentor and develop staff using a supportive and collaborative approach: assign accountabilities; set objectives; establish priorities; and monitor and evaluate results. 

Finance, Grants, HR and Operations 

· Manage, direct, and organize the work of the?Operations/HR, and Finance teams, which includes responsibility for personnel, benefits, recruitment/hiring, onboarding, staff development, management training, internal communications, logistical support, facilities, compliance, travel, security, computer hardware, and internal events 

· Manage, direct, and organize the work of the Grants team, which includes responsibility for grant writing and grant reporting as well as the Grant Finance staff who are responsible for grant financial management and reporting.

· Assess IT needs of a growing organization and implement IT solutions that will align the business with its operational goals. 

· Oversee departmental budgets for central operations programs (Finance, HR/Operations, Development and Grants)

· Ensure transparent reporting that strategically informs decision-making and be accountable for best practices in controls. 

· Improve and streamline system of policies, internal controls, accounting standards, and procedures. 

· Plan, coordinate, and execute the organization’s annual budget process in partnership with the Director of Finance and Executive Director.

· Ensure that Ayuda is adhering to the strategic plan and delivering status reports to the board. 

· Provide analytical support to Ayuda’s internal management team including development of internal management reporting capabilities. 

· Prepare Financial projections to support decision making for the organization. 

Requirements

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU CAN DO THIS JOB?

Behavioral Qualifications 

· Proven Ability to operate as an effective tactical AND strategic thinker 

· Exhibits calm under pressure and can make impactful decisions when organization is under stress or going through change. 

· Exhibits a leadership presence which is observable in their actions

· Decisive with the confidence to take informed decisions, including gathering relevant data and information quickly when needed.

· Excellent judgment and creative problem-solving skills including negotiation and conflict resolution skills 

· Strong mentoring, coaching experience to a team with diverse levels of expertise 

· Entrepreneurial team player who can multitask 

· Superior management skills; ability to influence and engage direct and indirect reports and peers 

· Self-reliant, energetic, flexible, collaborative, and proactive; a team leader who can positively and productively impact both strategic and tactical finance and administration initiatives. 

· Demonstrated passion and commitment to Ayuda’s mission.

Technical Qualifications 

· Minimum of 10 years' experience in progressively senior roles within finance or operations including in a senior management role 

· Bachelor's degree required; MBA or Nonprofit management certificate or courses a plus 

· Recent experience as an employee or board member of a nonprofit organization 

· Proven track record of success leading progressive organizational change

· Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills

· Experience and comfort with technology including CRM and financial systems 

This position is hybrid; on average, the COO would be expected to be in the office at least 1-2 days a week.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

The anticipated salary for this position is $140,000 to $170,000 depending on experience. 

We are proud of the benefits we can offer that include:

· Platinum-level medical insurance plan 100% employer-paid.

· Dental and vision insurance 100% employer paid.

· Long-term disability insurance 100% employer paid.

· Life and AD&D insurance 100% employer paid.

· Pre-tax 401(k) with Employer match on first 3% of salary.

· Vacation Days: 21 days per year until year 3, 27 per year in years 3-7 and 33 days per year after 7 years employment. Employees begin with 3 days of vacation leave. 

· New employees begin with 5 days of Health & Wellness (sick) leave and accrue an additional 5 hours per pay period plus emergency medical leave up to 12 weeks per year.

· 12 weeks paid parental leave/family leave.

· 24 days paid holidays and staff wellness days, including Winter Break the last week of the year.

· Job-related professional development fees (including annual state bar dues and professional memberships).

· Flexible work schedules.

This position is exempt for overtime purposes.

Employees with federal student loan debt may be eligible to apply for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the Department of Education. For more information, go to https://myfedloan.org/borrowers/special-programs/pslf. 

TO APPLY:

Please apply with resume and cover letter. Writing samples may be requested.

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Apply early for full consideration. No phone calls, please.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT STATEMENT:

Ayuda is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. 

We believe that a diversity of experiences, opinions, and backgrounds is integral to achieving our mission and vision. We celebrate diversity and seek to leverage the passion, energy, and ideas of a culturally diverse team.