Chief Administrative Officer

The Montrose Center; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to join their executive leadership team. This pivotal role involves overseeing the organization’s administrative, operational, and financial functions to ensure alignment with its mission of empowering LGBTQ+ individuals. The CAO will collaborate closely with the CEO and other leaders to drive strategic initiatives, enhance operational efficiency, and foster a culture of accountability and innovation. If you are a visionary leader with a strong background in nonprofit management and a passion for community service, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Benefits

Health Insurance

Paid Time Off

Retirement Plan Contributions

Professional Development Opportunities

Qualifications

• 10+ years of leadership experience in nonprofit administration.
• Expertise in finance, operations, compliance, and systems management.

Responsibilities

• Oversee financial planning and budgeting processes.
• Lead initiatives to improve operational efficiency and compliance.
• Supervise multiple departments to ensure alignment with goals.

Skills

Strategic Leadership

Financial Management

Compliance Management

Operations Management

Project Management

Team Leadership

Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration

Master's Degree (MBA, MPA)

Job description

Position Title: Chief Administrative Officer (CAO)

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

FLSA Status: Exempt

Supervises: Controller, Chief Operations Officer (COO), Director of Information Systems, Government Grant Writer and Manager, and Grant Compliance Specialist

Location: Houston, TX (On-site/Hybrid)

Salary Range: Commensurate with experience

Status: Full-Time

About the Montrose Center

The Montrose Center empowers LGBTQ+ individuals and their families to live healthier, more fulfilling lives through life-saving and affirming services. We are one of the largest and most comprehensive LGBTQ+ centers in the nation, providing culturally competent care and community support to over 55,000 people annually.

Position Summary

The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) is a key member of the Executive Leadership Team and plays a critical role in overseeing and integrating the administrative, operational, financial, and compliance functions of the Montrose Center. This strategic leader ensures that the organization’s infrastructure effectively supports its mission, programs, and long-term sustainability. The CAO provides direct supervision to the Controller, Chief Operations Officer, Director of Information Systems, Government Grant Writer and Manager, and Grant Compliance Specialist, fostering interdepartmental collaboration and accountability.

Core Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Organizational Management

• Serve as a strategic advisor to the CEO and collaborate with executive leadership to align administrative functions with organizational goals.
• Develop and implement long-range plans for administrative services that support mission-critical work and organizational growth.
• Drive initiatives to improve internal systems, enhance operational efficiency, and strengthen cross-functional collaboration.
• Provide accurate, timely reporting to support informed governance and oversight.
• Support the CEO in strategic planning processes.

Finance & Budget Oversight

• Oversee the Controller in managing the organization’s financial planning, budgeting, and reporting processes.
• Ensure timely preparation of financial statements, grant reports, and compliance documents.
• Guide risk assessment and mitigation strategies to protect financial assets and ensure fiscal integrity.
• Manage financial strategy, investment decisions, and annual audits in collaboration with the CEO and Board Finance Committee.
• Preference will be given to candidates with a strong background in accounting or financial management.
• Develop performance management systems that leverage data analytics to assess effectiveness, optimize resources, and enhance service delivery.

Operations, HR & Facilities

• Supervise the COO who oversees HR functions, facilities, procurement, safety, and administrative operations.
• Ensure that human resource practices align with organizational values, compliance standards, and DEI principles.
• Lead efforts to streamline operational processes and adopt best practices in nonprofit management.
• Design and implement scalable systems that support sustainable growth and evolving programmatic needs.
• Lead change management initiatives that align with evolving needs, promoting smooth adoption of new systems and processes.

Information Systems & Technology

• Provide strategic oversight to the Director of Information Systems to ensure a robust, secure, and scalable technology infrastructure.
• Champion technology initiatives that improve service delivery, data security, and staff productivity.

Grants Management & Compliance

• Supervise the Grant Writer and Grant Compliance Officer to support a high-functioning grants lifecycle, from proposal development to post-award compliance.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with federal, state, local, and private grant requirements.
• Actively interface with program and finance staff to continually optimize grant performance and reporting.

Policy, Compliance & Risk Management

• Develop and enforce administrative policies and procedures to ensure regulatory compliance, ethical practices, and organizational consistency.
• Oversee the preparation and implementation of internal controls, risk management frameworks, and business continuity plans to safeguard operations.
• Serve as a liaison with legal counsel and external consultants as needed.

Team Leadership & Culture

• Model and reinforce the organization’s stated values of compassion, excellence, integrity, community, and joy.
• Mentor and support direct reports in professional development and performance excellence.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and innovation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Public Administration, or a related field required; Master’s degree (MBA, MPA, etc.) preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in nonprofit administration or a related sector, with at least 5 years in a senior management role.
• Demonstrated expertise in finance, operations, compliance, and systems management.
• Strong background in accounting is highly preferred.
• Project management experience or certification (e.g., PMP) is a strong plus.
• Proven ability to lead and mentor high-performing teams.
• Strong knowledge of nonprofit funding streams, grant compliance, and regulatory environments.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Commitment to and understanding of LGBTQ+ communities and the Montrose Center’s mission.

Compensation & Benefits

The Montrose Center offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience, along with a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, paid time off, retirement plan contributions, and professional development opportunities.

Equal Opportunity Employer

It is the policy of the Montrose Center to recruit, hire, train, compensate and promote staff members on the basis of merit and without discrimination on the basis of age, sex, race, national origin, disability, religious preference, marital status, parental status, pregnancy, political affiliation or belief, sexual orientation or gender identity or expression