Chief Operating Officer

Chief Operating Officer

Chicago, IL
On-site

Position Overview
Be a part of a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing exceptional early education programs that foster school readiness, support parents, and strengthen community engagement. As the Chief Operating Officer, you will be responsible for supporting the CEO in driving the mission of the organization, ensuring operational excellence and strategic growth in the evolving Early Childhood Development sector.

Responsibilities

• Proven experience securing and managing government funding for non-profits, ensuring compliance with contract goals, licensing, and accreditation
• Ability to oversee daily operations, including staffing decisions
• Partners with the CEO/Executive Director to maintain funder relationships and manage grant reporting
• Works with the Finance Director and key staff to prepare for audits
• Ensures compliance with health, safety, and education regulations
• Knowledge of facility management, including repairs, remodeling, and cost-effective improvements; lease negotiation experience is a plus
• Supervises HR, Program, and Education staff, ensuring qualifications and professional development
• Manage budgets and operational costs to meet financial objectives
• Collaborate with leadership to develop strategic goals
• Lead and execute complex organizational projects

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field required; Master's in Business, Finance, or Early Childhood Education preferred
• Ability to motivate, organize, and support employees across various areas of expertise
• Strong budgeting, planning, and technological proficiency
• Excellent organizational, time management, analytical, and problem-solving abilities
• Strong verbal, written, and relationship-building skills
• Ability to thrive in changing environments while maintaining discretion with sensitive information
• Must be able to read and speak English fluently
• Regularly required to talk, hear, stand, walk, sit, use hands, reach, kneel, crouch, or crawl; must occasionally lift up to 30 lbs.; close-range vision required
• Ability to work as an independent contributor and as part of a team
• May exceed 40 hours per week; requires fine motor skills (keyboarding), travel between sites, and work across multiple locations
• Working with a union....they are a unionized organization - good portion of staff are unionized
• Working with Building Managers
• Vendor Management

Compensation

• Salary: $115,000 - $140,000
• Medical, Vision, and Dental Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Short- and Long- term Disability Insurance
• 403b Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays
• Mileage Reimbursement
• Staff Development

Chicago, IL
On-site

Position Overview
Be a part of a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing exceptional early education programs that foster school readiness, support parents, and strengthen community engagement. As the Chief Operating Officer, you will be responsible for supporting the CEO in driving the mission of the organization, ensuring operational excellence and strategic growth in the evolving Early Childhood Development sector.

Responsibilities

• Proven experience securing and managing government funding for non-profits, ensuring compliance with contract goals, licensing, and accreditation
• Ability to oversee daily operations, including staffing decisions
• Partners with the CEO/Executive Director to maintain funder relationships and manage grant reporting
• Works with the Finance Director and key staff to prepare for audits
• Ensures compliance with health, safety, and education regulations
• Knowledge of facility management, including repairs, remodeling, and cost-effective improvements; lease negotiation experience is a plus
• Supervises HR, Program, and Education staff, ensuring qualifications and professional development
• Manage budgets and operational costs to meet financial objectives
• Collaborate with leadership to develop strategic goals
• Lead and execute complex organizational projects

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field required; Master's in Business, Finance, or Early Childhood Education preferred
• Ability to motivate, organize, and support employees across various areas of expertise
• Strong budgeting, planning, and technological proficiency
• Excellent organizational, time management, analytical, and problem-solving abilities
• Strong verbal, written, and relationship-building skills
• Working with a union....they are a unionized organization
• Working with Building Managers
• Vendor Management
• Ability to thrive in changing environments while maintaining discretion with sensitive information
• Must be able to read and speak English fluently
• Regularly required to talk, hear, stand, walk, sit, use hands, reach, kneel, crouch, or crawl; must occasionally lift up to 30 lbs.; close-range vision required
• Ability to work as an independent contributor and as part of a team
• May exceed 40 hours per week; requires fine motor skills (keyboarding), travel between sites, and work across multiple locations

Compensation

• Salary: $115,000 - $140,000
• Medical, Vision, and Dental Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Short- and Long- term Disability Insurance
• 403b Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays
• Mileage Reimbursement
• Staff Development

Career Blazers Nonprofit Search maintains a broad focus so that your search can be thorough, and inclusive of all relevant options. We carefully consider your desired outcome, skills, and experience. The professionals at Career Blazers Nonprofit Search maintain your confidentiality and will not send your resume to a client without your approval.

Career Blazers is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.