Chief Operating Officer

YWCA of the City of New York; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 160,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer-paid health, dental andvision

401(k) / retirement plan contribution

403(b) plan

Paid time off

Life and disability insurance

Flexible spending account (FSA)

Hybrid schedule with on-site work

Job summary

The YWCA of the City of New York (YWCA NYC) is seeking a Chief Operating Officer to drive strategic planning, KPI measurement, and an inclusive, equitable culture. You will oversee HR, compensation, compliance, facilities, IT and finance, ensuring resources maximize program impact and financial sustainability.

You will work with the CEO and senior leaders to implement the organization’s strategic plan, manage risks, and guide cross-functional initiatives in a multi-site nonprofit environment.

Qualifications

• Significant senior leadership experience in a mission-driven nonprofit.
• Proven ability to design, implement and improve HR systems and workflows.
• Deep knowledge of human resources, compensation, benefits and compliance.
• Experience identifying and mitigating organizational risks.
• History of budget planning, vendor management and financial oversight.
• Ability to analyze data to drive program and process improvements.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the CEO on strategic and annual planning and measure KPIs for organizational effectiveness.
• Lead and develop HR, talent acquisition, benefits, payroll and compliance functions across multiple sites.
• Oversee risk management, employment laws and insurance programs; ensure regulatory compliance.
• Manage budgets, contracts and vendor services; optimize resources for program impact.
• Develop equitable policies and foster an inclusive, accountable culture across the organization.
• Guide talent development, coaching for managers and performance evaluation processes.
• Supervise IT, facilities and administrative functions; coordinate cross-functional initiatives.
• Report to the CEO and collaborate with senior leaders to execute the strategic plan.

Skills

Senior leadership experience

HR management

Policy development

Compliance knowledge

Budgeting and finance oversight

Strategic planning

Job description

The YWCA of the City of New York (YWCA NYC) is on a mission to eliminate racism, empower women and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. We are a multiracial social justice organization dedicated to addressing issues that emerge at the intersection of race, class and gender. (Read our mission, vision and values here.) Founded in 1858, the YWCA NYC is the first YW in the United States and part of an international movement of YWs.

We reach more than 3,000 New York City youth each year, offering leadership and advocacy training for young women and gender expansive youth through our high school Girls Initiatives, and providing after-school COMPASS and SONYC programs for elementary and middle school students in culturally diverse communities. Through culturally responsive programming, we create pathways for the next generation of leaders to reach for their dreams and drive social change.

Position

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a strategic internal leader responsible for advancing and measuring KPIs; championing a positive, inclusive and equitable culture; establishing and maintaining policies and efficient operations; and serving as a valued thought partner to the CEO in advancing the organization’s mission and vision.

The COO is charged with building high-performing systems across human resources, talent acquisition and development, compliance and facilities plus outsourced IT and finance functions. This role ensures that the YWCA NYC’s resources are optimized to maximize programmatic impact and the organization’s finances remain sustainable and support future growth. As a key member of a small and dynamic senior leadership team, the COO draws on a deep understanding of the YWCA NYC’s programs and constituents to lead implementation of the organization’s strategic plan.

The successful candidate will understand how a great nonprofit dynamically manages and cultivates its people, appreciates how building systems and structures creates an environment for growth and innovation, approaches work with a service mindset and has experience working successfully in culturally diverse environments.

Organizational Strategy and Effectiveness

• Partner with the CEO on strategic and annual planning, KPI development and goal setting; lead implementation and measurement of goals
• Assess and enhance policies and systems to advance the organization's goals
• Lead change management by defining the goals and scope of each change, engaging and communicating with stakeholders, training and supporting staff through transitions, and tracking results so that new practices are adopted and sustained
• Support special projects and cross-functional initiatives as identified by the CEO

Staff Culture

• Lead efforts to enhance the employee experience across the full life cycle of employment, fostering a culture of inclusion, collaboration, accountability and recognition in a multi-site environment
• Develop, implement and monitor equitable policies that align with the YWCA NYC’s employee engagement and retention goals

Human Resources and Benefits Administration

• Effectively lead and manage the HR team and oversee all HR functions
• Advise senior leadership on complex employee relations matters, providing risk assessment and mitigation strategies for both individual and collective issues
• Oversee and serve as backup for biweekly payroll processing for exempt and non-exempt employees
• Audit payroll and accruals related to new hires, terminations, vacation balances and other payroll adjustments to ensure accuracy and compliance
• Support the CEO with analysis and recommendations for benefits offerings and renewals; serve as the liaison to brokers and providers
• Oversee benefits communication, enrollment, administration and benefits support for employees
• Serve as administrator for the YWCA NYC retirement and 403(b) plans, including enrollment, pay-period reporting and coordination of annual Form 5500 preparation
• Ensure the employee handbook, policies and procedures are current and aligned with organizational needs

Talent Acquisition and Development

• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, retention and succession planning
• Lead and oversee performance management and evaluation processes
• Oversee and benchmark compensation to ensure competitiveness and internal equity
• Collaborate with senior leadership to create professional pathways and identify professional development opportunities that support employee growth
• Provide coaching support for managers

Compliance and Risk Management

• Oversee risk management for people, programs, finances and reputation; ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, funder and insurance requirements
• Maintain knowledge of insurance requirements and current employment laws, including those related to EEO, ADA, FMLA, ERISA, OSHA, COBRA, HIPAA, workers’ compensation and DOL regulations, as well as applicable New York State and New York City employment laws
• Manage annual insurance renewals (including liability, workers’ compensation and disability), and oversee certificate of insurance needs
• Oversee background checks and monitor ongoing clearance requirements

Finance

• Work with the CEO and the outsourced financial services provider to monitor financial performance, ensure accurate records and strong internal controls, and support budget planning and management for fiscal sustainability
• Serve as the staff liaison to the Finance Committee of the Board
• Work with the outsourced provider, development and program colleagues to ensure accurate account coding for revenue and expenses so that accounting and donation records are reconciled and grant funds are tracked
• Analyze expenditures and review contracts and vendor services to ensure the YWCA NYC’s resources are allocated appropriately; train and support staff members to steward the organization’s resources

Information Technology

• Work with the outsourced IT provider to keep data and cybersecurity policies current and documented, train staff on them and ensure systems, upgrades and helpdesk support meet staff needs and compliance standards
• Ensure employees have the technology resources and assistance needed to achieve their goals
• Maintain an accurate inventory of technology assets

Facilities and Office Management

• Manage relationships with landlord and program site building managers, maintain safety plans and monitor emergency preparedness
• Advise the CEO on office or site improvements, lease considerations and office needs

Who You Will Work With

• This position reports to the CEO and, along with the Senior Director of Programs and Senior Director of Communications and Development, is a member of the senior leadership team.
• This role manages an HR Manager, an HR and Compliance Assistant and an Administrative Associate.

Required Skills and Experience

• Significant senior leadership experience in a mission-driven organization, particularly a direct service organization with multiple programs or sites
• Proven ability to design, implement and continuously improve systems and workflows while balancing organizational needs and stakeholder feedback
• Deep knowledge and experience managing human resources, including compliance, talent acquisition and development, compensation and benefits administration
• Experience identifying and mitigating organizational risks
• History of creating and monitoring budgets, including vendor sourcing
• Ability to collect, analyze and use data to inform program and process improvement
• Exceptional interpersonal and relationship management skills, including a track record of working collaboratively with a diverse set of colleagues and stakeholders to achieve shared goals
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write concisely and persuasively and present to staff members, senior colleagues and board members
• Experience successfully prioritizing short-term needs while achieving long-term goals
• Demonstrated commitment to the YWCA NYC’s social justice mission, vision and values
• HR certification is a plus (PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP or equivalent)
• Experience managing outsourced services is a plus

Compensation

$160,000 to $180,000 annually

Eligibility requirement rules apply

• Employer-paid health, dental and vision insurance
• FSA and employer-funded HRA for out-of-pocket health costs
• Generous employer-funded contribution to YWCA NYC retirement plan after two years of employment
• 403(b) plan
• Paid time off
• Life, long-term disability and short-term disability insurance
• Employees may elect and pay for additional life, life AD&D, dependent life and hospitalization coverage

Work Schedule and Location

This is a full-time, exempt position with an expected 35-hour workweek. The YWCA NYC is currently on a hybrid schedule and requires 2 days on site at the main office at 50 Broadway in Manhattan. Participation in occasional evening events, program site visits, meetings and travel across New York City is required.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and listen. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move items under 20 pounds and be able to walk up stairs to visit program sites at public schools. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Equity at the YWCA of the City of New York

The YWCA of the City of New York is an equal opportunity employer and contractor. We provide equal employment and contracting opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. The YWCA NYC utilizes only job-related criteria in making decisions concerning applicants and employees. Moreover, we encourage applicants from historically underrepresented communities to apply.