Overview
The Chief Operating Officer is a member of LUM’s senior leadership team, responsible for ensuring the effective, efficient, and mission-aligned delivery of all LUM programs and administrative services. This role leads operational systems, program quality, compliance, and cross-departmental coordination, allowing the CEO to focus on external strategy, board relations, and community leadership. The COO develops and implements operational policies, monitors program outcomes and performance metrics, and ensures all programs comply with regulatory and funder requirements. Additional responsibilities include facilitating resource sharing across programs, managing operational risk (safety protocols, incident response, facility maintenance), and overseeing budget execution in collaboration with the CEO and CFO.
Responsibilities
I. Program leadership & director supervision
A. Direct supervision of program directors and admin services director
- Administrative Services Director – Oversee facilities, IT, office management, and operational support functions.
- Homeless Services Director – Supervise shelter operations, and homeless outreach programs.
- Food Program Director – Oversee food pantry, meal programs, and food sourcing/distribution logistics.
- Assistance Programs Director – Supervise financial assistance, resource navigation, and other basic needs programs.
- 5Q Program Director – Supervise seasonal early childhood education and family support initiatives including staff, safety, and curriculum.
- Summer Camp Director – Supervise seasonal youth programming, including staff, safety, and curriculum.
B. Performance management & quality assurance
- Set program-specific performance goals (outputs and outcomes) in collaboration with each director.
- Conduct regular program reviews using data provided by program directors.
- Identify areas for program improvement and lead quality assurance initiatives.
- Ensure client feedback mechanisms are in place and used for continuous improvement.
II. Operational Systems & Workflow Integration
A. Cross-Program Coordination
- Facilitate resource sharing and communication among programs (e.g., shared client intake, referral protocols).
- Develop and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) for program delivery.
- Resolve operational conflicts or bottlenecks between departments.
B. Compliance & risk management
- Ensure all programs comply with relevant regulations (e.g., shelter standards, food safety, child care licensing).
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of funder operational requirements (e.g., grants from government or foundations) — but does not write grant reports (that is Development function).
- Oversee client incident reporting, safety drills, and emergency preparedness.
- Coordinate with Administrative Services Director on facility inspections and corrective actions.
C. Technology & data systems (Operational use only)
- Work with Administrative Services Director to ensure program staff have functional technology (hardware, software, databases).
- Identify operational data needs (e.g., client intake systems, attendance tracking) and collaborate with the CEO on investments.
- Do not manage donor databases, fundraising analytics, or communications platforms — those belong to Development.
III. Strategic plan implementation (Operations portion)
- Lead operational objectives within LUM’s Strategic Plan, as assigned by the CEO.
- Provide regular progress reports to the CEO on operational goals, program metrics, and director performance.
- Participate in senior leadership team meetings to align operations with development, finance, and HR strategies (without executing those functions).
IV. Budget execution & resource management
- Work with the CEO and Finance department to develop program operating budgets (Finance owns final approval).
- Monitor program spending against budget and ensure cost-effective resource use.
- Approve program-level purchases within delegated authority (Finance handles accounts payable and overall financial controls).
- Identify operational cost savings and efficiencies.
V. Staff development & culture (Operational level)
- Support program directors in recruiting, training, and evaluating their direct reports (HR owns policy and employee lifecycle systems).
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and client-centered service among program teams.
- Address performance issues within programs in consultation with HR and the CEO.
- Lead regular all-program staff meetings for information sharing and team building.
VI. Facilities & logistics oversight
- Ensure LUM facilities (offices, shelter, food pantry, camp sites) are safe, functional, and well-maintained (via Administrative Services Director).
- Oversee fleet management (vehicles for food delivery, camp transport, etc.).
- Coordinate facility use across programs to avoid scheduling conflicts.
VII. External operational relationships
- Build relationships with peer organizations for operational collaboration (e.g., food banks, shelter networks, childcare resource centers).
- Do not represent LUM in fundraising, donor meetings, media interviews, or community advocacy — that is the CEO and Development team.
Other Duties
Requirements
- Have a strong faith dynamic as expressed by a willingness to accept and support LUM’s Mission Statement.
- Commitment to self-determination of the poor.
- Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in nonprofit management, public administration, business administration, or related field strongly preferred.
- 7–10+ years of progressive experience in nonprofit operations or program management, with at least 3–5 years in a senior leadership role supervising multiple departments or directors.
- Demonstrated success in managing diverse programs (social services, food programs, shelter operations, youth/childcare, or similar).
- Strong knowledge of compliance requirements for social service programs (e.g., shelter standards, food safety, among others).
- Proven ability to develop and implement operational systems, policies, and performance metrics.
- Exceptional cross-functional communication and conflict-resolution skills.
- Budget management experience (monitoring, not full organizational budgeting).
- Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to collaborate with diverse groups (church, secular, public, private, low-income communities).
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Valid driver’s license and ability to travel as required.
Join us as our Chief Operating Officer to lead transformative change, elevate operational standards, and drive our organization toward a prosperous future!
Pay: From $65,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Flexible schedule
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
