Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Job Description

ABOUT CISLA

Communities In Schools of Los Angeles (CISLA) partners with fifteen Los Angeles public schools to ensure students get the social-emotional, academic, and financial support needed to succeed in school and life. CISLA is a dynamic 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to transforming education and improving opportunities for students living in poverty. Our mission is to empower young minds through innovative Social Emotional Learning (SEL) programs, advocacy, and partnerships with community groups and educators. We work in five communities across Los Angeles, including South Central LA, Watts, Boyle Heights, Westlake/Pico-Union, and West LA. We aim to create lasting change and ensure equitable access to quality education for marginalized populations.

OVERVIEW

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) will support the growth and sustainability of CISLA's mission by overseeing the organization's day-to-day operations. The COO will ensure operational efficiency, strong financial systems, strategic alignment across departments, and the effective implementation of key initiatives. The ideal candidate will have a strong grounding in fiscal management, advanced experience in people leadership, operational expertise, and a passion for advancing education equity.

The COO will report directly to the Executive Director and collaborate closely with CISLA’s Executive Team to drive financial growth and organizational performance and ensure that CISLA and its people meet their short- and long-term goals.

FLSA STATUS

Full-time, Exempt.

REPORTS TO

Executive Director

1. Strategic Leadership & Organizational Development:

• Partner with the CEO and collaborate with the executive team to develop a long-term vision for the organization and its short-term success.
• Lead the development and execution of operational strategies that align with the organization’s mission and vision.
• Lead organizational change initiatives to improve efficiency, adaptability, and scalability.
• Strengthen our culture of accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement across all departments.
• Serve as a key liaison to the Board of Directors and support the Finance and Audit Committees.
• Oversee the operational aspects of program delivery, ensuring high-quality and effective services for students and communities.
• Manage organizational and department budgets, timelines, and resources to maximize impact and sustainability.
• Ensure adherence to compliance standards, regulations, and best practices in program execution, financial reporting, and human resources legalities

2. Team Leadership & Capacity Building:

• Guide CISLA’s culture and professional development and strengthen our culture of collaboration and innovation.
• Oversee the Human Resources team, building a strong culture of accountability, talent retention, and focused teamwork.
• Facilitate the development, communication, and evaluation of goals for CISLA on an annual basis, organizationally, departmentally, and individually.
• Provide support to department heads and operational staff, including coaching, guidance, partnership, and process improvement to ensure success for the organization.
• Oversee all recruiting, hiring, retention, performance management, and people development.
• Lead key culture initiatives, develop employee engagement programs, and monitor team satisfaction. Develop strategies to advance equity, inclusion, and belonging internally and externally.
• Identify and recruit key staff in collaboration with the Human Resources team and department chiefs; partner with managers to improve hiring, onboarding, retention, and succession planning.
• Work with the Human Resources team to administer personnel policies and standards, benefits renewal contracts, salary administration, and best practices in a non-profit work environment.
• Lead the Operations team in developing systems and analytics to support decision-making.
• Oversee the organization’s technology platforms, including training, compliance, and annual analysis of its effectiveness.
• Where necessary, improve efficiency through technology.
• Ensure timely filing of all required regulatory reporting and those required by CIS National.

3. Financial Oversight & Resource Management

• Oversee all financial reporting and management, including fiscal analysis of growth opportunities and/or expense savings.
• Lead the annual budget development process with the ED, department chiefs, Finance & Data Committee, and Finance Manager.
• Oversee scenario planning and financial analysis to drive decision-making, efficiency, and revenue growth.
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting to the ED, Board of Directors, funders, tax entities, and key stakeholders. Oversee the annual audit and tax filings.
• Partner with department heads to create aligned budgets that create cost-effective operations.
• Work with the finance team to track expenditures, manage operational costs, and implement cost-saving initiatives without compromising program quality.
• Lead the financial team, including outside consultants, to ensure strong operational plans, clear timelines, and detailed analysis for future improvement.
• Serve as a partner with the CEO to create a more sustainable organization with revenue growth, operational efficiency, and strategic vision.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• Minimum of 7 years of progressive-related experience with proven successful financial and/or operations management at a senior level.
• At least 4 years of experience in fiscal management, either organizationally or for a department including budget planning, expense monitoring, and payroll oversight. Previous P&L experience at a nonprofit preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years leading a team, including people management, strategic planning, execution, and results analysis.
• Demonstrated track record of attracting, developing, and retaining high-performance teams.
• Strong people leadership expertise to drive results and a positive culture.
• Experience at the senior leadership level, providing strategic leadership, analysis, collaboration across functions, and the ability to influence others at all levels of the organization, including at the ED and Board level.
• Must possess excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills; excellent relationship-building skills and demonstrated confidence working with corporate and community leaders.
• Must exercise initiative, independent good judgment, flexibility, discretion, and solid decision-making.
• Analytical capabilities, including critical thinking and strategic thinking, to propose and implement change successfully.
• Possess personal qualities of integrity, credibility, collaboration, resilience, and ability to pursue bold conversations where needed to gain alignment and results
• Strong commitment to CISLA’s mission. Prior experience in a social services agency is a bonus.
• A bachelor’s degree in business administration or the equivalent combination of relevant education and experience is required. A master’s degree is preferred.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Criminal background check required.
• TB clearance is to be renewed every four years.
• Must have access to reliable transportation. (A valid California driver’s license and proof of current automobile insurance are required when a personal vehicle is used).
• Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required (digital record)

BENEFITS

• Generous benefits package including PTO/vacation, medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401k, cell phone reimbursement, etc.
• Paid most major holidays, offices closed between Christmas and New Year’s.

Annual Starting Salary Range: $110,000 - $130,000

CISLA is an equal-opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.