Job Summary
San Diego Oasis (SDO) is seeking a strong, strategic Chief Operating Officer (COO) to lead the day-to-day operations of the organization and oversee staff, systems, and execution across all departments.
The COO will partner closely with the President & CEO, who serves as the public face of the organization and focuses primarily on mission advancement, community relationships, and fundraising. The COO will ensure operational excellence by translating vision into action, establishing priorities, creating accountability, and managing organizational resources effectively.
The COO will also oversee organizational marketing and branding efforts to ensure operational alignment, strategic consistency, and effective support of the organization’s mission and growth goals.
This role requires a confident and collaborative leader who can motivate staff, strengthen culture, improve operational efficiency, and provide thoughtful strategic guidance to the CEO and leadership team. The successful candidate must be comfortable setting boundaries, reinforcing priorities, and helping the organization stay focused on strategic goals and sustainable execution.
Duties
Organizational Leadership & Operations
- Lead and oversee daily operations of the organization including programs, administration, finance, HR, technology, facilities, marketing, branding, and volunteer operations
- Ensure staff efforts align with organizational priorities and strategic goals
- Create systems and processes that improve efficiency, communication, accountability, and follow-through
- Quickly assess organizational needs, identify operational challenges, and focus resources where they will have the greatest impact
- Work closely with the CEO to translate ideas into actionable plans with clear priorities and timelines
- Help manage competing requests and initiatives to avoid staff overload and organizational burnout
- Serve as a strategic thought partner to the CEO while also providing operational discipline and constructive feedback
- Oversee organizational marketing, communications, and brand consistency to support visibility, community engagement, membership growth, and fundraising efforts
- Ensure marketing initiatives and organizational messaging are aligned with strategic priorities and operational capacity
Staff Leadership & Culture
- Lead, coach, motivate, and support staff across the organization
- Foster a positive, collaborative, high-performing workplace culture
- Establish clear expectations, goals, and accountability systems for staff
- Ensure work is appropriately prioritized and distributed across teams
- Support staff development, performance management, onboarding, and retention
- Build trust and communication across departments while promoting teamwork and transparency
Financial & Business Management
- Oversee functions or staff related to budgeting, financial reporting, contracts, compliance, and operational planning
- Work with finance staff to ensure sound fiscal management and long-term sustainability
- Understand the key business and revenue drivers of the organization and help leadership make informed decisions
- Monitor operational performance and recommend improvements that support growth and mission impact
Technology, Facilities & Infrastructure
- Oversee organizational technology systems and operational infrastructure
- Ensure facilities are maintained effectively and used efficiently
- Identify operational improvements and technology solutions that support staff productivity and member experience
Qualifications
- 7+ years of senior operational leadership experience, preferably in a nonprofit or mission-driven organization
- Proven experience leading, managing, and motivating teams
- Strong organizational, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills
- Ability to balance collaboration with accountability and execution
- Comfortable making decisions, setting priorities, and managing multiple competing demands
- Financial management and budgeting experience
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
- Bachelor’s Degree required; advanced degree preferred
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is:
- A strong operational leader who enjoys building structure, systems, and accountability
- Confident enough to challenge ideas respectfully and help leadership prioritize effectively
- Calm under pressure and able to manage multiple demands without losing focus
- Mission-driven and passionate about supporting older adults
- Able to inspire staff while maintaining high standards and clear expectations
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial nonprofit environment
Pay: $110,000.00 - $150,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: On the road
