THE COMPANY

CFP Board is the professional body for personal financial planners in the U.S. CFP Board consists of two affiliated organizations focused on advancing the financial planning profession for the public's benefit. CFP Board Center for Financial Planning addresses diversity and workforce development challenges and conducts and publishes research that adds to the financial planning profession's body of knowledge. CFP Board of Standards sets and upholds standards for financial planning and administers the prestigious CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification - widely recognized by the public, advisors and firms as the standard for financial planners - so that the public has access to the benefits of competent and ethical financial planning. CFP® certification is held by more than 107,000 people in the U.S.

CFP Board believes that diversity of experience and perspective are strengths and seeks to continue to grow a highly committed, skilled, and collaborative staff.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) provides leadership, management, and vision necessary to lead CFP Board’s core business operations of certification, marketing, communications, public relations, and public awareness campaign. The COO also leads and guides relationship building and cultivation with colleges and universities. The COO ensures the organization has the proper organizational controls, administrative and reporting procedures, and business systems in place to effectively grow the organization and ensure operational efficiency.

This position works on programs which are part of the 501 (c)(6).

This position is based in the Washington D.C. office and works a hybrid schedule which could be changed at any time.

THE CANDIDATE

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Partners with CEO and executive management team to craft and implement strategy aligned with Board-approved strategic goals.
• Works effectively with CEO, executive management team, senior staff, and organization leaders to foster a high-performance culture through efficiencies in practices, processes, and programming.
• Develops a strategic vision and plan for each area supervised in conjunction with appropriate team member.
• Delivers optimal efficiency and effectiveness for core operations function.
• Leads and models collaboration within and across functional areas.
• Ensures CFP Board’s stakeholders and external audiences are informed and have timely access to critical, reliable information.
• Leads efforts for CFP® certification to grow in recognition, number, and diversity.
• Oversees and effectively manages financial assets and obligations of functional areas.

Organizational Leadership and Strategy

• Contributes to and executes on achieving the vision, mission, and strategic priorities of CFP Board as a member of the executive leadership team.
• Contributes actively to the evolution and execution of the company’s strategic and multi-year strategy, financial, staffing and operating plans.
• Leads and reports on annual operating plan, working collaboratively with departments.
• Develops and executes sound operational practices to ensure efficiency and effectiveness throughout the entire organization.
• Leads operational planning process and deliverables aligned with annual organizational goals and budget.
• Leads staff teams using coaching and mentoring for employee development, performance management and achievement or organizational goals.
• Exercises sound financial management of resources and generation of revenue within areas of responsibility that engage the organization to operate consistently with sound budgeting practices.
• Maintains strong relationships with key volunteer leaders and councils.
• Establishes departmental and staff goals consistent with CFP Board’s mission and strategic objectives.
• Identifies new business and programmatic opportunities that grow revenue, reputation, and results.

Business of Certification

• Ensures that the CFP® certification continues to meet the highest standards, recognized as valid, reliable, and legally defensible and is aligned with high-stakes examination best practices.
• Oversees growth of the number and quality of continuing education programs that support the continued competence of CFP® professionals.
• Ensures that quality customer service measurements with stakeholders are met with the quickest possible response time.
• Oversees new business and program initiatives to enhance value of CFP® certification and the relevancy and reputation of CFP Board.
• Directs enhancement and improvements for optimal stakeholder experience including leveraging technology and customer service skills.
• Ensures certification program, including new opportunities, achieves annual revenue goals.

Marketing

• Oversees a marketing vision that is embraced throughout the organization, which will include establishing credibility at all levels; bring best-practice approach and create a high performing marketing team.
• Leads the development of the marketing roadmap to create an effective and efficient acquisition marketing strategy that drives growth.
• Oversees strategy and implementation for retention marketing to maintain and enhance retention rates among certificants and brand loyalty/advocacy.
• Actively facilitates identification and pursuit of new business and product opportunities that enhances value of CFP® certification and the reputation of CFP Board.
• Develops and continually updates brand business strategy and direct implementation across the organization.

Communications

• Ensures the strategic priorities of the organization are met by increasing public awareness of CFP® certification among stakeholders (candidates, certificants, consumers, financial services firms, educational institutions, media, and other relevant stakeholders).
• Oversees development and implementation of brand message strategy that ensures the visibility and credibility of CFP Board and CFP® certification.
• Directs and leads brand storytelling activities including overall narrative and core messages.
• Responsible for reporting/notification to CEO and Board of Directors on controversial or negative media coverage and delivery of responsive communication plan.
• Positions all communications prepared for the CEO and Board Chair at the appropriate strategic level, ensuring that they are based on solid, reliable information; are compelling, create confidence and move people to action; and are written to reflect the style of the speaker while clearly reflecting the message of the organization.

Public Awareness Campaign (PAC) and Branding

• Provides strategic direction for the public awareness campaign, ensuring added value to stakeholders.
• Oversees that all elements of the PAC (advertising, consumer PR, letsmakeaplan.org and brand tracking analytics) are aligned and successfully completed.
• Ensures that creative services and art direction satisfies requirements for the brand look, feel and messaging.
• Leads efforts to facilitate increases in public awareness of and preference for the CFP® certification brand.
• Develops and implements strategy to leverage brand value and reputation among the public and within the financial advice eco-system.

Business Process Management

• Supports the function that manages the documentation of all of the business processes across the organization.
• Directs the strategy for ensuring efficiency and accuracy in the management of the business processes.
• Implement strategy that assesses risks identified through business process management.

Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree is required. Advanced degrees including but not limited to MBA, JD,MA, and credentials such as CFP® certification, CPA, CFA, etc. preferred.
• Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation is a plus.
• At least 15 years’ experience required in business operations or association/nonprofit management, including substantive P/L responsibilities.
• Experience effectively partnering with a CEO and an understanding of the importance of trust in the relationship.
• Demonstrable involvement as business partner to CEO and CFO.
• Targeted experience in at least one or more of the following areas: certification, brand strategy, marketing, and/or communications.
• Experience with large-firm wealth management operations a plus.
• Big-picture strategic thinker/visionary thinker with ability to bridge strategy to tactics.
• Strong financial and business acumen to achieve organizational excellence and revenue growth.
• Adept at setting and meeting measurable organizational goals.
• Knowledge of association best practices.
• Strong team player with superior team building, team management, and team empowering skills.
• Motivational leader with the ability to inspire others with the proper level of direction, urgency, and support to ensure success.
• Proven experience developing and implementing effective communication strategies.
• Energetic, forward- thinking and creative individual with high ethical standards.
• Well organized, self-directed team player individual with political savvy.
• Intelligent and articulate individual with impeccable verbal and written communication skills.

COMPENSATION

Compensation for this role will reflect a range of factors, including relevant experience, demonstrated expertise, and other considerations. CFP Board is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The applicable starting annual base salary is anticipated to be in the range of $350,000 to $400,000. In addition to base salary, total compensation includes incentive compensation for which employees are eligible based on completion of individual goals. Additionally, CFP Board offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employees’ well-being and growth.

Interested candidates should apply directly by emailing a copy of their resume to cfpcandidates@caldwell.com.

Salary : $350,000 - $400,000