Chief Operating Officer Job Description

 About Futurewise Futurewise works throughout Washington State to create healthy thriving communities and protect natural resource lands and fish and wildlife habitat to achieve a better quality of life for present and future generations. We work with communities to implement effective planning and policies that build community, stop sprawl, provide efficient transportation choices, address climate change, create affordable housing and strong local businesses, and sustain healthy natural systems. We provide research and analysis, planning and policy strategies, community education and advocacy, and legal expertise to maintain and improve the quality of life in Washington State. General Job Description Futurewise has been growing steadily over the last three years and desires to build a strong management foundation to sustain this strategic path. The Board of Directors and the Executive Director are looking for a mission‐focused, seasoned, strategic, and process‐minded leader with experience scaling an organization, leading a management team, and developing a performance culture among a group of diverse, talented individuals who make Futurewise an impactful organization. The Chief Operating Officer will be a leader who is able to help others at Futurewise deliver results that make our mission a reality. Importantly, the Chief Operating Officer will have the skills and experience to enable him/her to tap into the power and creative spark that each member of the team brings to the mission and that drives the Futurewise vision and its impact. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Chief Operating Officer will have both internal and external responsibilities, ranging from partner development and project management (business development, strategic management support of high‐quality product delivery) to human capital (HR/recruiting, mentoring, career progression). The Chief Operating Officer will partner closely with the Executive Director to chart Futurewise’s future growth and strategic response to an ever‐increasing demand for the organization’s services. This is an opportunity to work in a dynamic, inter‐disciplinary, and innovative environment to build a more sustainable and equitable future for communities in Washington State. Position Details Responsibilities Reporting to the Executive Director, the Chief Operating Officer will lead internal operations and will have the following responsibilities: Organization Building Serving as the internal leader of the organization, the Chief Operating Officer will: •
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Working in partnership with the Executive Director, develop thought leadership around strategic direction of organization and help implement the organization’s strategic plan and put in place the processes that support achieving the plan Own the overall operational plan and budget. Manage their collaborative development with Executive Director and staff Own Futurewise’s day‐to‐day operations. Manage the essential internal organization activities (human resources, administration, strategic and organizational planning) Identify and implement best practices, improving and replacing internal systems as needed, including information technology, with an eye toward future goals and budgets Own the performance management process that measures and evaluates progress against goals for the organization Provide for all staff, including regional operations, a strong day‐to‐day leadership presence Mentor and coach staff to promote professional development, integrated program performance and significant job satisfaction Grow revenue and contract management infrastructure within programs. Serving as a key resource for the Executive Director, the Chief Operating Officer will: •
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Keep the Executive Director apprised of operational and budget status Develop and implement systems for reporting, measurement and supporting programmatic performance and results Represent Futurewise in industry group conferences, professional associations and other public venues Work with the Board of Directors in the Board’s capacity as a full Board, Executive Committee and Chairs/Members of key board committees Build and maintain strong relationships with Futurewise’s external partners and represent Futurewise in select public venues. Key Qualifications As a prerequisite, the successful candidate must believe in the core values of Futurewise and be driven by our vision of making Washington State a better place for all to live in. The candidate will demonstrate a passion for breaking new ground to lead social change consistent with Futurewise’s mission. We are seeking a candidate that has both proven experience in scaling a multi‐site organization with a diverse set of programs and funders with resulting responsibilities and demonstrated ability to both lead and build the capabilities of a hard‐working, talented and diverse values driven team. The attributes and experience we will be looking for include: •
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Results‐proven track record of exceeding goals and consistent with a bottom‐line orientation; Strategic Vision and Agility‐ability to think strategically, anticipate future consequences and trends, and incorporate them into the organizational plan; Capacity Building—ability to effectively build organization and staff capacity, developing a top‐
notch workforce and the processes that ensure the organization runs smoothly; •
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Leadership and Organization‐capacity for managing, leading and supporting people; a team builder who has experience in scaling up organizations; ability to connect with staff both on an individual level and in large groups; capacity to enforce accountability, develop and empower top‐notch leaders; and cultivate entrepreneurship and innovation; General Management—thorough understanding of finance, internal management systems, and human resource requirements. Qualifications Theidealcandidatewillhavethefollowingqualifications:
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10+ years in a senior management position in a nonprofit organization, foundation, private sector, or government agencies A Master’s Degree either in business administration, planning or policy. Demonstrated record of delivering superior results in complex, pressure‐driven circumstances Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with a wide array of people – junior and senior, for‐profit, public, and nonprofit, and from diverse backgrounds Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills are essential Ability to exercise tact and diplomacy in organizational settings Demonstrated record of being a self‐starter, self‐motivated with imagination, creativity and discipline Proven ability to work with efficiency, flexibility, and good humor Project Location: This position is based in Seattle, WA. Salary & Benefits: Salary is commensurate with experience. Benefits include medical, dental and vision, paid, leave, and retirement. Posting Expiration Date: Position is open until filled; first consideration will be given to applications received by April 30, 2015. How to Apply: Position open immediately; for full consideration, please provide materials as soon as possible. Interested candidates should send a cover letter, resume, and at least three references in PDF format to [email protected]. Please place “Chief Operating Officer” in the subject line of the email and address the cover letter to Christina Hannan. Please label any submitted materials, including the cover letter, resume, and references with your last name. In the body of the email, please let us know how you found out about the position. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE. Due to the large number of applicants, only successful candidates will be contacted. Futurewise is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values diversity in all areas of its operations. We are committed to equal opportunity in employment and promotion for all qualified persons without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, military or veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, pregnancy and childbirth, family responsibilities, or any other basis protected by applicable laws, regulations, or guidelines relating to discrimination in employment.