Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Student Leadership Network (SL Network) supports two life-changing programs that enable students from low-income communities to achieve their highest educational potential and to break the cycle of poverty: The Young Women’s Leadership Schools (TYWLS), a high-performing network of all-girls public schools, and CollegeBound Initiative (CBI), a school-based college guidance program for young women and men. We also partner with 15 and growing affiliate schools across the country. Student Leadership Network programs promote a college-going culture in schools and makes the dream of college a reality for students. To learn more, visit our website at www.studentleadershipnetwork.org

Student Leadership Network is seeking a Chief Operating Officer (COO) to provide effective and inspiring internal leadership for the organization, enabling the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to prioritize fundraising efforts, programmatic activities and other external facing priorities. This role is critical to the success of the organization as we are in the midst of Phase One of a Five-Year Strategic Plan and continue to establish ourselves as a national presence and brand. Reporting to the CEO and in partnership with the leadership team, the COO manages the processes that yield organizational wide outcomes such as strategic planning and performance management along with talent recruitment, development and retention strategies. S/he will manage a team of seven (7), overseeing the human resources, financial operations, office administration, and marketing and communications functions at SL Network. The successful candidate will have at least 10 years of executive and fiscal management experience, with demonstrated drive and a track record of success in a high growth organization. Exceptional organizational, written, and verbal communication skills, along with a passion for expanding educational opportunities as a means of breaking the cycle of poverty are essential.

Primary Roles and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Strategy & CEO Support • Work alongside the CEO to implement Phase One of our Five-Year Strategic Plan, continuing to iterate and finalize the overall growth plan. • Identify opportunities to leverage strengths across the entire organization to take advantage of new opportunities and/or address organizational challenges. • Work closely with the CEO to develop clear annual and quarterly priorities and ensure the CEO’s time is spent advancing these priorities. • Support the CEO in assessing team-wide progress to goals on a regular basis, identifying what is driving and impeding progress, developing solutions to address gaps, and adjusting course as necessary.

Operations & Management • Manage and mentor 3-4 senior level direct reports including the Managing Director of Finance & Administration, Managing Director/Director of Talent & Operations and Director of Marketing & Communications. • Support the Managing Director/Director of Talent & Operations’ (MD/DTO) efforts to develop and maintain a strong and inclusive organizational culture and to develop effective talent recruitment and retention systems. • Work with the MD/DTO to design performance management protocols to ensure that the leadership team monitors progress against strategic and operational plans and course corrects, as necessary. • Work with the MD/DTO to design and implement systems for effective internal communication and coordination, including coordinating and facilitating Leadership/Management Team meetings and planning

All-Staff Meetings. • Directly oversee the finance and operations team to ensure the continued financial health of SL Network through sound fiscal management, including providing strategic support to inform fundraising efforts. • Work with the MD/DTO to support the Leadership Team to coach, develop and retain SL Network’s top talent and management.

Marketing & Communications • Ensure that the organization has an integrated strategic communications plan to advance our brand identity; broaden awareness of our programs and priorities; and increase the visibility of our programs across key stakeholder audiences. • Ensure that our communications work addresses challenges and emerging issues facing the organization and work with leadership team and staff to recognize internal and external communications opportunities and solutions, defining and executing appropriate strategies to support them. • Manage the Director of Marketing & Communications to develop internal communications strategies and tactics. • Additional duties as required.

Key Qualifications and Skills - A successful candidate will be able to demonstrate excellence in the following areas and be able to cite specific and tangible examples of success:

• Passion for SL Network’s mission • Bachelor's degree is required; an advanced degree is preferred • Demonstrated skill and comfort in proactively building relationships with team members across levels of experience and tenure • Superior strategic thinking skills, with a track record for translating strategy into outcomes • Superior management skills with an ability to influence direct and indirect reports and peers • Stature, gravitas, and confidence to quickly gain the credibility and respect of our staff and board • Action-oriented, entrepreneurial, and self-directed • Deep experience in program and fiscal management • Excellent project management skills with a track record of managing many projects at one time • Analytical decision maker with the ability to prioritize and communicate to staff key objectives and tactics necessary to achieve goals • Exceptional written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills, strong presentation skills and the ability to interface with senior management, the board of directors, and staff • At least 10 years of experience leading and managing in senior roles • Teamwork, collegiality and joyful approach to the work is required

Compensation: Competitive/commensurate with experience. FLSA Status: Exempt. SL Network is an equal opportunity employer. Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, and 401K matching. Application Instructions: Please submit cover letter and resume to [email protected]. Please mention where you saw this ad.