POSITION TITLE: Chief Operating Officer
CLASSIFICATION: Exempt
DEPARTMENT: Executive
SUPERVISOR: Chief Executive Officer
LOCATION: Hybrid; Albuquerque, NM
Position Summary:
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a key member of the senior management team, reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, and is responsible for the oversight and management of daily operations, including direct responsibilities for finance. This role will serve as second-in-command and ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of the organization. The COO will maintain control of diverse organizational operations, including finance, student support services, scholarship administration, Human Resources, and information technology, with the potential to manage marketing and development departments in the future.
This list of duties and responsibilities is illustrative only of the tasks performed by this position and is not all-inclusive.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
- Manage and oversight of key organizational departments (including finance, scholarship operations, student support services, human resources, information technology, marketing, and development) outcomes by communicating job expectations; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results; coaching, counseling, and disciplining employees; initiating, coordinating, and enforcing systems, policies, and procedures in a way that mirrors the mission and core values of the organization.
Serve as the CFO to ensure proper fiscal management, budgeting, and compliance. - Ensure full compliance with conditions and requirements of grantors, including federal agencies, corporations, foundations, and individuals.
- Direct program staff in all aspects of the scholarship programs, including recruitment, retention, student services, data collection, and reporting.
- Provides support to development to achieve and surpass fundraising goals, cash flow, and business goals and objectives.
- Increase management’s and staff’s effectiveness by recruiting, selecting, orienting, training, coaching, counseling, and disciplining staff.
- Evaluate performance by analyzing and interpreting data and metrics.
- Contribute to the operation’s effectiveness by identifying short-term and long-range issues and goals that must be addressed, providing information and commentary pertinent to deliberations, recommending options and courses of action, and implementing directives.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of all processes and procedures, both internal and external. Provide timely, accurate, and complete reports on the company’s operating conditions.
- Serve as a senior management team member responsible for developing and/or implementing the organization’s strategic plan, budget, policies, and procedures.
- Serve as a spokesperson for the organization regarding scholarship programs.
- Lead employees to encourage maximum performance and dedication.
- Establish processes and procedures that promote the company culture, vision, and mission.
- Promote Native Forward Scholars Fund and AIGCS through attendance and participation in national, regional, and local conferences and events.
- Act as Corporate Officer and serves as program liaison to the Board of Directors.
- Serves on select boards and advisory committees to increase visibility, advocacy, networking, and fundraising for Native Forward Scholars Fund.
- Maintains strict student confidentiality and compliance with the Family Education Right to Privacy Act.
- Embodies Native Forward Scholars Fund Core Values and promotes the Native Forward Scholars Fund organization, staff, and programs positively and professionally.
- Contributes to a team effort and accomplished related results.
- Perform other duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications:
Master’s degree preferred, bachelor’s degree required plus five years prior experience in a COO role or similar position with broad organizational responsibilities for the following areas: fiscal management and budgeting, institutional fundraising, sales, marketing, human resources, business/program development, and strategic planning. Must possess knowledge of tribes and tribal organizations, federal contract regulations and procedures, and financial aid procedures.
A valid driver’s license is required. Must be able to successfully pass a pre-employment drug/alcohol screen and background investigation.
Knowledge, Abilities, Skills, and Certifications:
- Knowledge of American Indian History, culture, and tribes.
- Knowledge of modern office practices, procedures, and equipment
- Knowledge of records management and basic accounting procedures.
- Exceptional interpersonal and collaborative working skills.
- Knowledge of business English, proper spelling, grammar, punctuation, and basic arithmetic.
- Ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.
- Ability to communicate with confidence, presenting to large or small groups.
- Ability to present complex presentations and reports.
- Ability to solve complex problems and deal with a variety of indistinct variables.
- Ability to make solid decisions and exercise independent judgment.
- Ability to establish and maintain professional relationships with individuals of varying social and cultural backgrounds and with coworkers at all levels.
- Ability to advocate and negotiate for the organization.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality.
- Skills in public speaking and diplomacy.
- Skills in strategic planning and fiscal management.
- Ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
- Ability to work independently.
- Ability to analyze situations and adopt appropriate courses of action.
- Ability to demonstrate excellence in everything and continually seek improvement in results.
- Skilled in providing leadership to, supervising, training, and evaluating assigned staff.
Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to walk. The employee, occasionally, is required to stand, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds.
Work Environment:
Work is generally performed in an office setting with a moderate noise level. Extended hours and irregular shifts may be required; Tight time constraints and multiple demands are common. Travel will be required for training, meetings, conferences, presentations, and other events.
Please submit your letter of interest and resume to Careers@NativeForward.org.
