Chief Operating Officer

Human Service Chamber; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Energetic team driven by a mission

Award-winning nonprofit with acollabor

Generous PTO policy

Convenient location

Professional development opportunities

Make a real difference in children’s &

Job summary

Festa in Columbus, Ohio seeks a Chief Operating Officer to lead internal operations and the central staff delivering flagship programs and finance/HR functions.

The COO translates the CEO’s vision into consistent execution, builds teams, standardizes SOPs, and ensures programs are high-quality, well-documented, safe and scalable.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of progressive leadership experience in nonprofit or related sectors.
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Demonstrated success building or scaling teams, systems and processes.
• Experience overseeing budgets, staff development and cross-functional teams.
• Collaborative leader who partners with a founder/CEO and board.

Responsibilities

• Serve as chief team builder for Festa’s central staff, driving teamwork, accountability and growth.
• Set staff goals and hold departments accountable in partnership with the CEO.
• Lead and develop staff; standardize SOPs across programs and departments.
• Oversee program quality, delivery and impact data across key initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Nonprofit operations

Budget oversight

Education

Bachelor's degree required

MBA or related advanced degree preferred

Job description

WHAT WE OFFER

• Energetic team driven by a mission to advance good
• Award-winning, entrepreneurial nonprofit with a collaborative culture
• Generous PTO policy
• Convenient location and peaceful, supportive office environment
• Professional development opportunities
• Ability to make a real, lasting difference in children’s and families’ lives

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE

The Chief Operating Officer is a full‑time, senior executive role responsible for the internal operations of Festa. The COO will lead the central staff team that runs Festa’s flagship programs, finance function, HR function translating the CEO’s vision and the Board’s strategy into consistent execution across the organization. The COO will serve as Festa’s chief team builder, setting staff goals, driving accountability, standardizing SOPs, and leading staff while ensuring the organization’s programs remain high‑quality, well‑documented, safe and ready to scale.

This is an in‑person role based in Columbus, Ohio.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Operational Leadership

• Serve as chief team builder for Festa’s central staff, fostering a culture of teamwork & collaboration, accountability and professional growth.
• Set staff goals and hold departments accountable for outcomes, in partnership with the CEO.
• Lead and develop staff and ensure internal communication rhythms and operating systems across internal departments.
• Review, develop, document, and standardize Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) across programs and departments.

Program & Department Oversight

• Provide direct leadership to: Program Managers and Programs Admin; Finance Manager; HR Manager and Office Manager
  Oversee program quality, delivery, and impact data across the 3‑Generation Family ESL program, Summer Lunch Camps, and Business ESL.
• Ensure sound financial operations — budgeting, reporting, and audit readiness — in partnership with the Finance Manager, Board Treasurer, and auditor.
• Support staff development, onboarding, and training initiatives led by the HR Manager and Director Business ESL and Organizational Communications.

Strategy & Growth

• Partner with the CEO and Board to translate Festa’s strategic vision into operational plans and milestones.
• Build the processes and systems, staffing structure, and reporting cadence needed to enable Festa’s growth from a one‑city to a a vision of 3-Generation Family ESL program in every major city in ISA via teach and release model “online Festa online training.”
• Ensure we build the processes and systems, staffing structure, and reporting cadence needed to enable growth within Festa’s Business ESL programming.
• Identify operational risks and opportunities and bring recommendations to the CEO and leadership team.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• 12+ years of progressive leadership experience, ideally including business, corporate, or nonprofit operations management, strategic marketing and communications, community program management, or comparable roles.
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in business administration, nonprofit management, or a related field preferred.
• Demonstrated success building or scaling teams, systems, and processes in a growing organization.
• Experience overseeing budgets, staff development, and cross‑functional teams.
• Strong, trusted people leader who fosters a strong culture of accountability to deliver on the mission.
• Systems thinker who can translate vision into repeatable, well‑documented operations.
• Comfortable operating at both strategic and hands‑on levels in a growing, resource‑conscious nonprofit.
• Collaborative partner to a visionary Founder/CEO and an engaged Board.
• Alignment with Festa’s mission.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Position requires satisfactory completion of a background check. Festa is an equal opportunity employer.