Chief Operating Officer - COO

I. MAJOR FUNCTIONS:

This is a newly defined position. Under the direct supervision of the CEO, as a member of the Executive Team, the COO will be responsible for overseeing critical areas of operations for the Association. This individual will directly supervise multiple departments heads, including the VP of DE&I, VP of Chapter Operations, the Director of Human Resources, the Chief of Membership, Marketing & Communications, and the Senior Manager of IT. In addition, the NASW Project Manager, Facilities Administrator, the Senior Governance Associate, and the Senior Assistant & Special Projects Administrator will also report to the COO. Including indirect reports, this position will oversee a total team of approximately 46. The COO will also work closely with the CFO, the Office of General Counsel, the NASW Foundation Director, the Chief of Programs and the NASW Publisher.

The ideal candidate will be able to accomplish the following: foster collaboration at all levels; champion diversity, equity, and inclusion through all of their work, especially in human resources and staff professional development practices; promote return on investment and revenue generation; create detailed plans to execute and achieve the Association's strategic goals; and ensure the Association's overall operations are effective.

At NASW our members come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds because it makes our organization stronger. If you share our values and are enthusiastic you will find a home here.

Supervisory Responsibility:

Provides direct supervision of selected Division and Department Directors and assistant(s) and oversees the activities of all Association vendors and business relationships.

II. BASIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Leadership and Staff Management

• Serve as a member of the NASW Executive Team and develop collaborative relationships with team members.
• Reviews operating results of the Association, compares them to established objectives, develops data-driven systems for program evaluation, and ensures that appropriate measures are taken to correct unsatisfactory results.
• Facilitates the annual planning process with the CEO and the Board of Directors. Translates the plans of the Association into business plans. Directs the preparation of short- and long- term plans and budgets based on broad organizational goals and growth objectives.
• Directly support the CEO in leading organizational staffing and operational functions, transitioning to a hybrid work environment committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace of belonging.
• Help establish and track progress toward organization-wide goals.
• Works with legal counsel to provide adequate protections on business-related matters and reviews all vendor and business contracts.
• Actively participate in the development of funding proposals and new initiatives.
• Analyze, assess, and recommend operational strategies to improve the implementation of NASW's Strategic Plan internally.
• Serve as a representative with and for the CEO in various situations, including discussions on building and office utilization, vendors, and contractors.
• Collaborate with the Chief Executive Officer and Senior Leadership Team to lead the strategic planning process.
• Implement strategic and annual program and business plans, integrating all aspects of the organization's work, including programs, communications, development, and finance.
• Work closely with the Foundation Director and development team to ensure alignment of programs and funding opportunities and to support the involvement of program leaders in fundraising.
• Working with Senior Leadership Team members, create, maintain, and/or oversee systems and processes to ensure effective management of the daily activities of organizational staff and an organizational structure that supports the organization's goal.

Human Capital/Talent Development

• Oversee the Human Resources team including direct supervision of NASW'S Human Resources Director. Provide a plan and guidance to ensure diversity, equity and inclusion inform NASW's human capital strategy.
• Provide leadership and a formal structure to execute an inclusive and robust staff development strategy.
• Oversee a sound plan of staff training and development to provide for capable management succession.
• Oversee administrative policies and procedures. Review employee benefits on an annual basis and provide recommendations to Senior Management Team and the Board of Directors for benefit changes consistent with other similar size non-profit agencies.
• Guide and review the re-established annual performance management system including planning review cycles and creating plans for implementing any recommended changes & leadership development plans.
• Create a process to ensure that the Association is regularly conducting position, compensation, and benefit reviews.
• Provide direction and a focused operational plan to execute remote workplace best practices and review cost savings initiatives on a yearly basis.

Operational and Internal Management and Planning

• Work in collaboration with NASW's Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to contribute to the development of the operating budget and ensure the organization's fiscal practices are up to date, and result in timely and accurate budgets, adequate/strategic funding, cost savings initiatives and employee understanding of programmatic finances.
• Develops new revenue streams as needed by the Association.
• Assists managers in identification of opportunities to develop and market new products and services within or outside of the organization; takes risks to pursue a recognized benefit or advantage.
• In collaboration with NASW's CFO, Chief Program Officer (CPO), NASW's Publisher and Director of the Foundation conduct an annual analysis of the Association's spending, fundraising, and opportunities for organizational fiscal sustainability.
• Manage NASW's IT & Facilities manager on planning and negotiations to maximize utility of the building lease and to develop Facilities & Meeting management in optimizing revenue possibilities. Provide guidance and oversight with a keen focus on excellence and efficiency for delivery of the increased income generation.
• Ensure the financial soundness of NASW and its entities, including the NASW Foundation, NASW Political Action Committee, and NASW Legal Defense Fund, and manage the daily cash flow for the Association.
• Lead and coordinate all staff-monthly meetings and all-staff in-person training and team building activities with operations and executive administrative team members.
• Develop and deploy a strategy and process for evaluating the efficacy and success of the internal operations, including a strategic budget process with a focus on identifying opportunities and diversifying revenue streams.
• Lead and manage all programmatic, events and communication staff and activities to effectively meet organizational and program goals, insure integration across all areas and measure programmatic impact towards attainment of NASW's mission.
• Develop program impact metrics consistent with relevant plans and create a system of ongoing evaluation, ensuring strong work plans and alignment between individual, team, and organizational goals and priorities.
• Supervise, coach, and collaborate with senior program staff to ensure programmatic and team success.
• Envision, plan, and execute semi-annual staff retreats to increase integration, support organizational goals, and build team orientation.

Membership, Marketing and Communications.

• Lead and supervise the Chief of Membership, Marketing & Communications, to maximize revenue generation and integration.
• Provide guidance to ensure a diversity, equity, and inclusion informed membership service strategy.
• Collaborate with all direct reports to create a collegial environment and empower the team to think outside the box in a creative and elevated perspective.

Executive Office

• Oversee the Executive Office team including direct supervision of NASW's Executive administrative associate and the Manager of Governance.
• Lead a talented team in efforts to ensure executives and the EO Administrative team are fully supported to accomplish organizational goals.

III. MINIMUM WORK REQUIREMENTS:

Successful candidates will have experience in most, if not all, of the following areas:

Executive Leadership Experience:

• Demonstrated success serving as a senior leader within a mission-driven organization, with a staff driving programming and impact.

Relationship Building & Collaboration:

• Demonstrated ability to cultivate, grow, and manage mutually benecial and trusting relationships at all levels of an organization, and to guide direct reports in this work.
• Proven collaborator and facilitator with the ability to work with and through senior leadership teams, as well as across all levels of a team - individually and collectively - to address conict and build a healthy culture.

Business Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communications skills, including the ability to effectively communicate and make presentations to a wide variety of audiences.
• Strong customer service skills are essential.
• Requires excellent record-keeping skills including maintenance of confidentiality of files.

IV. EDUCATION:

1. Master's degree required. MBA, MPA and/or MSW preferred.
2. Well versed in stakeholder engagement across various levels (Board, legal and program managers).
3. Proficient in Project Management with a history of strategic planning, IT implementation, and managing multiple priorities within a complex environment.

V. EXPERIENCE:

1. Qualified candidates will have 8+ years of progressively responsible, relevant experience, including 5+ years senior management experience in addition to the educational requirement.
2. Five (5) + years of operations focused experience, including leadership and managerial experience and experience in high level IT strategy and operational outcomes in complex organizations.
3. Experience presenting to and engaging with diverse audiences of varying styles and backgrounds.
4. Proven track record in designing, implementing, and facilitating learning initiatives for adult learners.
5. Leadership experience in an academic, corporate, and/or nonprofit organization's operations unit.
6. Demonstrated experience working collaboratively to lead the integration of a complex organization and utilizing best practices in management to ensure shared success.
7. Significant experience developing and leading teams and working as an effective team member.
8. Proven success leading a collaborative strategic planning process and ensuring its effective implementation.
9. Strong staff management experience required, with the ability and interest to work closely with staff members to set and achieve individual and team goals.
10. Outstanding analytical and strategic thinking skills, with a focus on results and impact
11. Superior communication skills, both oral and written; ability to work effectively with people at all levels of the organization to create buy-in and a sense of teamwork.
12. Strong initiative and motivation, with the ability to excel in a demanding and fast-paced environment.
13. Experience with and/or knowledge of environmental/ sustainability issues a plus but not required; ability to quickly understand and articulate NASW's work and mission, both internally and externally required.

VI. ATTRIBUTES

1. Results driven: Sees the big picture, assists with the development and monitoring of key performance metrics to produce the desired results.
2. Strong business acumen: Sees opportunities and emerging trends, and is knowledgeable about the operations, unique needs, and goals specific to member-driven, not-for-profit organizations.
3. Firm and fair leadership: Will work with a wide range of staff, colleagues, and members, requiring a firm, fair, and flexible style that both complements the efforts and supports the needs of others.
4. Partnership: Is able to build trust internally and externally and must be viewed as highly professional, discreet, and accountable.
5. Organizational agility: Has a thoughtful, respectful communication style that fosters an open environment, enabling thought-provoking discussions and collaborative decision making.
6. Perceptive: Is creative and intuitively recognizes opportunities and takes appropriate action.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement
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