Chief Operating Officer

Solution Tree; Bloomington (IN); On-site; USD 250,000 - 380,000; Full time

Job summary

Solution Tree in Bloomington, IN seeks a Chief Operating Officer to turn company strategy into coordinated execution across a complex mission-driven education enterprise. The COO will be the CEO's principal operating partner, aligning leaders, priorities, resources, systems, and accountability so guidance becomes measurable outcomes.

This is not a command-and-control role; influence and judgment matter most.

Qualifications

• Requires strong strategic thinking and ability to translate strategy into action.
• Proven track record of leading diverse teams and aligning priorities.
• Experience with governance, budgeting, forecasting, and performance management.

Responsibilities

• Serve as trusted adviser to the CEO; translate priorities into ownership and milestones.
• Lead cross-functional execution; remove barriers and ensure accountability.
• Oversee financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and resource allocation.
• Protect operations continuity, cybersecurity, tech reliability, and customer service.
• Guide senior leaders; foster collaboration and depth in leadership teams.
• Provide candid counsel to the CEO and maintain alignment across the organization.

Skills

Strategic planning

Execution leadership

Cross-functional leadership

Communication

Influence without authority

Education

MBA or equivalent business degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

The OpportunitySolution Tree seeks a Chief Operating Officer to turn company strategy into coordinated execution across a complex, mission-driven education enterprise. The COO will be the CEO's principal operating partner, aligning leaders, priorities, resources, systems, and accountability so guidance becomes measurable outcomes. This is not a command-and-control role. Success depends on influence, judgment, relationships, disciplined follow-through, and the ability to lead strong functional executives without taking over their work. Think hurdle remover: the focus is execution.

Enterprise ScopeThe

The COO provides enterprise-wide coordination across Solution Tree, Marzano Resources, Solution Tree Canada, Results Coaching Global, state offices, and affiliated growth businesses and initiatives. The role spans publishing, professional development, events, educational technology, author and associate relations, customer operations, fulfillment, facilities, information technology, cybersecurity, state-office operations, coaching services, and enterprise project execution.

Primary Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted strategic and operating adviser to the CEO; translate priorities into clear ownership, decisions, milestones, operating rhythms, and results.
• Lead cross-functional execution, resolve barriers and competing priorities, strengthen accountability, and intervene early when revenue, profitability, service, timing, quality, or reputation is at risk.
• Support enterprise financial performance through disciplined planning, budgeting, forecasting, resource allocation, performance review, and portfolio decisions in partnership with the CEO and CFO.
• Protect operational continuity, cybersecurity, technology reliability, customer service, fulfillment, facilities, and business-critical processes; ensure risks have clear owners and practical response plans.
• Guide senior leaders, strengthen collaboration across functions, develop talent and succession depth, and ensure the Leadership Team operates as one enterprise team.
• Preserve organizational knowledge and key relationships while enabling change; provide candid counsel and continuity for the CEO without creating an alternate center of authority.
• Support the Board and Executive Chair with accurate operating context, follow-through, and governance-aligned communication; help maintain clear decision rights and organizational alignment.
• Advance growth initiatives, acquisitions, partnerships, and integration work by connecting strategy, market opportunity, operating capacity, technology, and execution.

Direct Reports

• Executive Vice President
• Vice President of IT
• Director of Operations
• Executive Director of State Offices
• General Manager, Results Coaching Global
• Executive Assistant

Candidate ProfileThe

The successful candidate will bring significant senior operating leadership in a multifaceted organization, sound financial and business judgment, and a record of leading through influence. The role requires exceptional communication, discretion, relationship-building, decision-making, and follow-through; the ability to balance continuity with change; and comfort working across commercial, mission, technology, talent, and governance priorities. Experience in K-12 education, professional services, publishing, events, educational technology, or a comparable knowledge-based enterprise is strongly preferred.

About Solution TreeSolution Tree

Solution Tree is a leading K-12 professional learning and educational publishing organization whose mission is to advance the work of our authors.