Chief Operating Officer

The Goodwin Group; Atlanta (GA); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

The Goodwin Group is conducting a confidential retained search for a Chief Operating Officer to lead a mission-driven public-sector organization focused on affordable housing and community development. The COO will partner with the CEO, oversee core operations, and drive disciplined execution in a highly regulated environment.

The successful candidate will bring hands-on leadership, a tradition of accountability, and a track record of improving processes, governance, and stakeholder engagement

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Management, Finance, Urban Planning, Real Estate, or a related field.
• 15+ years of progressive executive leadership experience, including COO or comparable enterprise leadership roles.
• Experience in regulated, mission-driven organizations with public housing, real estate, or local government is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as strategic advisor to the CEO and the Executive Leadership Team.
• Lead timely and efficient execution of the strategic plan and initiatives.
• Oversee housing programs, facilities, HR, IT, procurement, and other operational functions.
• Develop KPIs, dashboards, and performance reporting to support executive decisions.
• Partner with CFO to align operational priorities with financial objectives.
• Support governance, risk management, and regulatory compliance across the organization.

Skills

Executive leadership

Strategic planning

Operational excellence

Governance

Regulatory compliance

Risk management

Budgeting

KPIs & dashboards

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Public Administration

Master's degree preferred

Job description

The Goodwin Group is conducting a confidential retained executive search for a Chief Operating Officer (COO) on behalf of a mission-driven public-sector organization focused on affordable housing, community development, and expanding economic opportunity. The organization welcomes accomplished operating executives from public- and private-sector environments, including real estate and local government, who have led complex, highly regulated operations.

The COO will serve as the organization’s senior operational leader and a trusted partner to the Chief Executive Officer, overseeing core operational functions and translating strategy into disciplined execution. The successful candidate will be a hands-on, action-oriented leader who strengthens accountability, builds sustainable processes, and ensures initiatives are completed. This executive must also bring the executive presence to represent the organization when needed and the adaptability to help lead technology modernization, organizational change, and workforce development.

Key Responsibilities

Enterprise Operations Leadership & Strategy

• Serve as a key strategic advisor to the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Leadership Team.
• Lead the timely and efficient execution of the organization's strategic plan and strategic initiatives.
• Ensure agency-wide operations remain aligned with strategic goals and organizational priorities.
• Drive accountability, operational excellence, and continuous improvement across the organization.

Operational Performance & Service Delivery

• Oversee housing programs, resident services, facilities, procurement, human resources, information technology, and other assigned operational functions.
• Enhance service delivery, customer experience, and operational consistency.
• Monitor daily operations while improving processes, policies, and organizational effectiveness.
• Develop opportunities for innovation and modernization across housing programs and customer service.
• Ensure agency operations comply with applicable federal, state, and local regulations, funding requirements, and organizational policies.
• Oversee audits, inspections, risk assessments, quality control measures, and corrective action plans.
• Partner with executive leadership to identify and mitigate enterprise risks.
• Strengthen organizational governance, accountability, and regulatory compliance.
• Partner with the CFO to align operational priorities with financial objectives.
• Support operational budgeting, grant management, funding initiatives, and resource planning.
• Ensure responsible stewardship of organizational assets and public resources.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency while maximizing organizational value.

Board, Community & External Stakeholder Relations

• Assist the Chief Executive Officer in supporting the governing board through reports, recommendations, and strategic initiatives.
• Develop strong relationships with residents, community organizations, government agencies, developers, and strategic partners.

Team Leadership & Organizational Development

• Build and maintain a high-performing leadership team through recruitment, mentoring, coaching, and professional development.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Develop future leaders through coaching, succession planning, and professional development.
• Guide senior leaders in fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and exceptional customer service.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Management, Finance, Urban Planning, Real Estate, or a related field required; Master's degree strongly preferred.
• 15+ years of progressive executive leadership experience, including significant experience in a Chief Operating Officer, Executive Vice President, Deputy Executive Director, Assistant City Manager, Vice President of Operations, or comparable enterprise leadership role.
• Proven success leading complex, multi-functional organizations through operational excellence, strategic planning, organizational transformation, performance improvement, and disciplined execution.
• Broad leadership experience across operations, governance, compliance, enterprise risk management, budgeting, and organizational performance.
• Demonstrated ability to build high-performing teams, develop executive leaders, and create scalable operating models and accountability systems.
• Experience developing KPIs, operational dashboards, and performance reporting to support executive decision-making.
• Experience within public housing, affordable housing, community development, real estate, property management, local government, or another highly regulated, mission-driven organization strongly preferred; experience working with federally funded programs is desirable. Deep public housing experience is valuable but is not required for an accomplished operational leader with relevant transferable experience.
• Strong executive presence with the ability to effectively engage governing boards, elected officials, executive leadership, community stakeholders, and external partners.
• Decisive, collaborative, and hands‑on leadership style with the ability to combine respect and sound judgment with urgency, accountability, exceptional communication, and unquestioned integrity.

Other

This position description reflects the general nature and scope of the role and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, disability, veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other protected status.

While we sincerely appreciate all interest, only candidates selected for interview will be contacted.