Chief Operating Officer

JOB TITLE: Chief Operating Officer

REPORTS TO: President

About ESOP Partners, Inc.

ESOP Partners, Inc. is a third-party administration and consulting firm dedicated to providing a liquid business transition solution for owners of closely held businesses through the establishment, maintenance, and sustainability of Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs). Our mission is to maximize the financial and cultural benefits of employee ownership by helping ESOP companies build strong, informed, and engaged employee ownership cultures.

We aspire to be nationally recognized as the leading ESOP firm in the country. We pursue this vision through our Core Values:

• Seek to Understand – We identify the underlying reasons behind questions and actions and take ownership of continuous learning and improvement.
• Manage Expectations – We proactively communicate clear, specific, and achievable objectives to create alignment and accountability.
• Collaborate – We work together through constructive discussion and teamwork to achieve win-win outcomes.
• Get Things Done – We prioritize, organize, and execute efficiently to deliver accurate and timely results.
• Practice Professional Skepticism – We apply a questioning mindset to objectively analyze information for quality and accuracy.
• Exhibit Mental Strength – We manage challenges with professionalism, resilience, and a solutions-oriented attitude.

Position Summary

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) serves as the Integrator (operational second-in-command) responsible for translating the company’s strategic vision into disciplined execution across financial management, operations, talent development, and organizational alignment.

This role will scale ESOP Partners’ operations as the firm targets sustained growth, bringing structure, accountability, and performance management to the organization. The COO will partner closely with the President to build scalable systems, develop high-performing leaders, strengthen recruiting and onboarding, and reduce founder dependency while supporting a thoughtful leadership transition.

The COO plays a critical role in transforming ESOP Partners into a scalable, accountable, and high-performing professional services firm while preserving the firm’s mission of helping businesses succeed through employee ownership.

Position Details

• Location: In-office position based in Appleton, Wisconsin
• Position Type: Full-time | Exempt
• Work Schedule: Standard business hours with additional time as needed to support operational priorities and leadership responsibilities
• Experience Level: 10 years of leadership experience in people management, operations, professional services, consulting, or similar environments
• Travel: Limited travel as needed for leadership meetings or industry engagement

Key Accountabilities

Essential duties include, but are not limited to:

Operational Leadership & Execution

• Translate strategic objectives into clear operational plans, priorities, and measurable outcomes.
• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs), dashboards, and operating rhythms that ensure accountability and progress toward growth targets.
• Operate in and refine usage of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) to strengthen alignment and execution discipline.

Leadership Development & People Strategy

• Build and mentor a strong leadership team capable of managing and scaling their respective functions and teams.
• Clarify roles, responsibilities, and accountability across teams.
• Develop systems for recruiting, onboarding, and leadership development to support company growth.

Financial & Business Performance

• Partner with the President to ensure disciplined financial management, forecasting, and performance monitoring.
• Identify operational improvements that drive efficiency, scalability, and profitability.
• Support the firm’s goal of sustained year-over-year growth through operational excellence and high client satisfaction ratings.

Systems, Technology & Operational Efficiency

• Lead the design and optimization of technology, systems, and workflows that improve efficiency and scalability.
• Drive innovation through automation, data visibility, and decision quality.
• Implement tools and processes that increase visibility into performance and decision-making.
• Promote process simplification, automation, and continuous improvement.

Founder & Executive Partnership

• Serve as a trusted partner to the President, providing operational leadership, honest feedback, and strategic support.
• Support the transition of the founder to innovation and governance while strengthening organizational leadership.

Culture & Organizational Alignment

• Reinforce ESOP Partners’ Core Values and foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Strengthen communication, trust, and alignment across teams and functions.
• Advance the company’s mission and employee-ownership mindset while evolving the organization for growth.

Qualifications

Knowledge and Skills

• Strong operational leadership with the ability to scale professional service organizations.
• Proven ability to translate strategy into measurable execution and performance.
• Experience building cohesive, high-performing teams and developing leaders.
• Financial and business acumen with experience managing growth and operational efficiency.
• Strong communication, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to balance operational discipline with entrepreneurial agility.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Management, or related field (MBA preferred).
• 10 years of progressive leadership experience in people management, operations, consulting, or professional services environments.
• Experience implementing or operating in system frameworks such as EOS or similar systems preferred.
• Experience leading organizational growth, operational transformation, or scaling teams.

Certifications / Licenses (if applicable)

• None required; leadership, operational excellence, or management certifications are beneficial.

Physical and Cognitive Requirements

• Ability to sit for extended periods and work at a computer
• Ability to analyze complex information and exercise sound judgment
• Ability to maintain focus and accuracy in a deadline-driven environment

Performance Expectations

Performance in this role will be evaluated based on:

• Achievement of established annual P&L objectives
• Successful accomplishment of at least 80% of company annual objectives
• Successful implementation of operational systems, KPIs, and leadership accountability
• Measurable improvements in operational efficiency, team performance, and scalability
• Development and engagement of leaders and employees across the organization
• Contribution to sustainable company growth and financial performance improvement
• Adherence to ESOP Partners’ Core Values