Chief Operating Officer

Grey Search + Strategy; Minnetonka (MN); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Grey Search + Strategy, a growing executive search and talent strategy firm, is seeking a Chief Operating Officer to lead operational execution and strengthen organizational effectiveness in Minnetonka, MN. You will partner with Co-Owners to ensure efficient, scalable operations that deliver an exceptional experience for employees, candidates, and clients.

The role emphasizes building systems, developing leaders, and aligning culture with strategy, while contributing to business development or

Qualifications

• 7+ years of operational leadership experience.
• Experience serving as a COO, VP of Operations, Managing Director, Integrator, or similar executive leadership role.
• Proven success scaling a service-based business.
• Strong financial, operational, and strategic business acumen.
• Experience developing leaders and high-performing teams.
• Demonstrated ability to build systems, processes, and organizational structure.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and relationship management skills.
• Experience within executive search, recruiting, talent acquisition, consulting, professional services, or another people-centric business where talent and client relationships are core to business success.
• Experience working within founder-led or entrepreneurial organizations preferred

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operations across the organization.
• Develop and improve operational processes, systems, and workflows.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators and reporting.
• Drive accountability to company goals and objectives.
• Partner on budgeting, forecasting, and resource planning.
• Identify operational risks and opportunities for improvement.
• Develop and coach leaders across the organization.
• Improve organizational structure, role clarity, and accountability.
• Support talent planning, succession planning, and workforce development.
• Ensure teams have the tools, resources, and support necessary to succeed.
• Foster a high-performance culture aligned with company values.
• Lead implementation of company priorities and strategic initiatives.
• Create alignment across departments and teams.
• Evaluate and implement technology, systems, and operational improvements.
• Support change management and organizational growth initiatives.
• Help maintain Grey's culture as the organization grows.
• Monitor employee engagement and organizational health.
• Support initiatives that improve communication, collaboration, and retention.
• Ensure company values are reflected in leadership practices and decision-making.
• Dedicate meaningful time to either business development or recruiting based on strengths.
• Help stay connected to the core of the business and ensures sound operational decisions

Skills

Operational leadership

Executive leadership

Strategic planning

Communication

Change management

Job description

Grey Search + Strategy is a growing executive search and talent strategy firm focused on helping organizations attract, retain, and develop exceptional talent. As the business continues to grow, we are seeking a Chief Operating Officer to lead operational execution, strengthen organizational effectiveness, develop leaders, and build the infrastructure necessary to support our next stage of growth. The COO will partner closely with the Co-Owners to ensure the business operates efficiently, scales effectively, and continues to deliver an exceptional experience for employees, candidates, and clients.

Position Summary:

The COO is responsible for the day-to-day leadership and operational performance of the business. This role will oversee organizational effectiveness, operational systems, leadership development, business planning, accountability, and performance management. The COO will work closely with the Co-Owners to translate strategy into execution and ensure the organization has the structure, processes, talent, and discipline necessary to achieve its goals. In addition, this person will be a contributor in the area of business development or recruiting.

Key Responsibilities:

Operations & Business Performance

• Lead day-to-day operations across the organization
• Develop and improve operational processes, systems, and workflows
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators and reporting
• Drive accountability to company goals and objectives
• Partner on budgeting, forecasting, and resource planning
• Identify operational risks and opportunities for improvement

Leadership & Organizational Development

• Develop and coach leaders across the organization
• Improve organizational structure, role clarity, and accountability
• Support talent planning, succession planning, and workforce development
• Ensure teams have the tools, resources, and support necessary to succeed
• Foster a high-performance culture aligned with company values

Strategic Execution

• Lead implementation of company priorities and strategic initiatives
• Create alignment across departments and teams
• Evaluate and implement technology, systems, and operational improvements
• Support change management and organizational growth initiatives

Culture & Employee Experience

• Help maintain and strengthen Grey's culture as the organization grows
• Monitor employee engagement and organizational health
• Support initiatives that improve communication, collaboration, and retention
• Ensure company values are reflected in leadership practices and decision-making

Direct Contribution (BD or Recruiting)

• Dedicate meaningful time to either business development or recruiting based on strengths
• Help stay connected to the core of the business and ensures sound operational decisions

Success in This Role:

• Improved operational efficiency and scalability
• Strong leadership development across the organization
• Clear accountability and performance management systems
• Improved visibility into business performance and decision-making
• High employee engagement and retention
• Consistent execution of strategic priorities
• Sustainable business growth

Qualifications:

• 7+ years of operational leadership experience
• Experience serving as a COO, VP of Operations, Managing Director, Integrator, or similar executive leadership role
• Proven success scaling a service-based business
• Strong financial, operational, and strategic business acumen
• Experience developing leaders and high-performing teams
• Demonstrated ability to build systems, processes, and organizational structure
• Excellent communication, leadership, and relationship management skills
• Required: Experience within executive search, recruiting, talent acquisition, consulting, professional services, or another people-centric business where talent and client relationships are core to business success
• Experience working within founder-led or entrepreneurial organizations preferred