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Work Renewed · 2 months ago

Chief Operating Officer at BranchED

United States

Full-time

Remote

Lead/Staff, Director/Executive

$175K/yr - $218K/yr

5+ years exp

BranchED is a professional services organization focused on advancing educational excellence. The Chief Operating Officer (COO) will lead finance, strategic planning, organizational effectiveness, and human capital functions while ensuring the organization's long-term sustainability and impact.

Responsibilities

Lead BranchED’s multi-year strategic and financial planning process, translating organizational strategy into clear departmental objectives and individual performance expectations

Drive the organization’s effectiveness practice, translating strategic priorities into operational and financial plans that enhance impact and organizational health

Align philanthropic fundraising and earned-income strategies into a unified approach for financial resilience and growth

Stay abreast of national trends and developments in nonprofit, education, and legal landscapes affecting BranchED’s operations

Develop contingency plans and establish processes to mitigate financial, operational, and reputational risks

Serve as staff liaison to the Board of Directors’ Finance and Investment Committees, effectively communicating critical financial and strategic matters at select board of directors and committee meetings

Oversee all aspects of finance, accounting, budgeting, and reporting for BranchED and its related organization, upholding accuracy, transparency, and integration with the organization’s mission and strategic priorities

Develop and manage annual budgets and multi-year financial plans that support growth and accountability. Maintain rigorous internal controls, risk management practices, and compliance with nonprofit accounting standards and regulations

Lead cash flow, investment, and reserve management to ensure long-term financial health. Manage procurement and contracting with fidelity, negotiating favorable terms with consultants, vendors, and other partners. Partner with Development to connect fundraising goals and grant budgets with organizational financial plans

Build and maintain financial models, pro formas, and ROI analyses to strengthen performance, guide decision-making, and support fundraising and earned-revenue initiatives. Develop pricing strategies, KPIs, and cost-allocation models to evaluate new ventures and track profitability across mission- and values-aligned revenue streams

Provide oversight of the revenue-generating subsidiary or related entity, maintaining clear inter-entity agreements, accurate consolidation or separation of financial statements, and compliance with IRS rules for unrelated business income (UBIT). Collaborate with program and business leaders to identify and model new revenue opportunities that advance BranchED’s mission

Serve as a key advisor to the CEO and Board Committees on financial strategy, performance, and long-term sustainability

Oversee the overall strategy, purpose, and vision of all HR functions, including recruitment, onboarding, performance management, compensation & benefits, and professional development and succession planning

Manage the third-party PEO to ensure compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal labor laws, regulations, and practices

Partner with leadership to shape organizational culture, talent strategy, and workforce planning that advance the mission and strategic priorities

Build leadership capacity through mentoring, succession planning, and performance management systems

Implement training programs and employee development initiatives to enhance team skills and productivity

Ensure regulatory compliance in both nonprofit and commercial activities (tax, licensing, labor)

Support creation of governance structures (e.g., a separate board or advisory council for the related entity)

Coordinate with external legal and tax advisors on matters affecting charitable status

Promote cross-functional collaboration and consistent use of standard operating procedures

Provide strategic oversight of IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, and digital transformation initiatives

Ensure data integrity and compliance across CRM, HRIS, and financial systems. Develop policies and training for data privacy and technology adoption

Review and evaluate all business insurance and ensure adequate coverage and compliance

Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing finance and operations team

Foster a culture of transparency, collaboration, and data-informed decision-making

Act as a strategic thought partner to the CEO and senior leadership team

Represent the organization externally with funders, partners, and stakeholders when financial or strategic expertise is needed

Qualification

Financial ManagementStrategic PlanningNonprofit AccountingLeadership ExperienceHuman Resources ManagementData AnalysisRisk ManagementFinancial ModelingCuriosityCollaborationCommunication SkillsProblem SolvingAdaptability

Required

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field required; an MBA or equivalent graduate degree in management, finance, or a related discipline is preferred

Minimum of five years of senior leadership experience in the nonprofit sector, ideally in a comparable role, including increasing responsibility for finance and accounting functions such as budgeting, financial reporting, and fiscal oversight

Proven leadership and results in nonprofit finance and operations, with experience overseeing accounting, budgeting, internal controls, financial reporting, and audit coordination for organizations with budgets of $10M or more

Strong ownership of financial data quality and reporting accuracy

Proficient in financial and operations platforms for budgeting, accounting, and reporting

Demonstrated excellence in improving systems, policies, and procedures to increase efficiency and user-friendliness

Experience managing vendor relationships and operational compliance

Experience in budgeting, forecasting, and multi-year financial modeling

Experience leading strategic planning processes and translating strategy into operations

Strong knowledge of nonprofit accounting standards, grant compliance, and funder reporting

Experience overseeing HR and technology systems with a deep appreciation for talent as a strategic driver of organizational success

Strategic thinker and systems builder with a demonstrated ability to anticipate organizational needs and identify future opportunities

Successful track record of setting priorities, driving results, and leading organizational improvements

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills that support sound, data-informed decision-making

Excellent written, verbal, and visual communication skills, with the ability to translate complex financial concepts for non-financial colleagues

Skilled at building and sustaining authentic, trust-based relationships across teams and stakeholders

Collaborative and empathetic leader who fosters inclusive dialogue and cross-functional collaboration, and integration

Comfortable presenting data-driven insights to both internal and external audiences

Deep commitment to BranchED's mission, values, and work to advance educational opportunity and excellence

Demonstrates an inclusive and human-centered approach to decision-making and team leadership

Bring a positive attitude, strong adaptability, curiosity, creativity, and resourcefulness

Willingness to “roll up sleeves” and contribute at all levels; open to occasional travel for retreats and events

Energized by developing people and systems, viewing performance management, professional learning, and culture as integral to the success of BranchED's broader organization's strategy