Chief Operating Officer

Stepping-Stones-of-Rockford,inc; Rockford (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan with employer 3

Paid vacation and sick time

Disability coverage (short/long-term)

Employee Assistance Program

Life insurance $15,000

Professional growth opportunities

Job summary

Stepping Stones of Rockford, Inc. in Rockford, IL seeks a collaborative Chief Operating Officer to strengthen operations, support staff, and guide sustainable growth within a community mental health agency.

The COO will oversee non-clinical operations, work with the CEO to translate strategic priorities into results, and lead across finance, HR, IT, facilities, compliance, and EHR administration to ensure high-quality services.

Qualifications

• Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to interpret financial and operational information for decision-making.
• Ability to lead across multiple departments and drive change.
• Commitment to the agency’s mission, values, and ethical standards.

Responsibilities

• Partner with CEO and Leadership Team to advance strategic priorities and measurable goals.
• Improve financial and operational performance through data-driven decisions and cost management.
• Ensure regulatory, licensing, accreditation, safety, privacy, and quality compliance.
• Develop administrative leaders and foster accountability and collaboration.
• Ensure facilities, technology, and administrative systems support staff and programs.
• Lead operational improvements and opportunities for expansion and innovation.
• Build relationships with community partners, funders, vendors, and regulators.
• Uphold client rights and confidentiality in line with the agency’s mission.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Organizational skills

Problem solving

Financial interpretation

Cross‑department leadership

Integrity

Education

Master’s degree (Healthcare Admin / MBA / Public Admin / Related field)

Job description

Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Stepping Stones of Rockford, Inc. | Rockford, Illinois

Exempt Leadership Position

Lead with purpose. Help shape our future.

Stepping Stones of Rockford, Inc. is seeking a collaborative, strategic Chief Operating Officer to help strengthen our operations and support the people who make our mission possible.

As a member of the Leadership Team, you will work directly with the Chief Executive Officer to turn strategic priorities into meaningful results. This is an opportunity to improve systems, develop leaders, and guide sustainable growth within a community mental health agency.

About the Role

The COO oversees the agency’s non-clinical operations and support functions, ensuring our teams have the resources, systems, and direction needed to support high-quality services. You will bring departments together, address operational challenges, and balance daily priorities with long-term organizational goals.

Your oversight will include finance and business operations, Human Resources, Information Technology, Buildings and Grounds, Corporate Compliance, Continuous Quality Improvement, Training, and electronic health record administration.

Requirements

What You Will Do

• Partner with the CEO and Leadership Team to advance strategic priorities, establish measurable goals, and support sustainable growth.
• Strengthen financial and operational performance by evaluating data, improving workflows, managing costs, and identifying revenue opportunities.
• Oversee compliance with applicable regulatory, licensing, accreditation, safety, privacy, grant, and quality requirements.
• Develop and support administrative leaders, encouraging accountability, collaboration, succession planning, and a healthy workplace culture.
• Ensure facilities, technology, and administrative systems provide safe, reliable support for staff and agency programs.
• Lead operational improvements, organizational change, and opportunities for expansion and innovation.
• Build productive relationships with community partners, funders, vendors, regulatory bodies, and other stakeholders.
• Uphold client rights, confidentiality, ethical standards, and the agency’s mission and values.

What You Bring

Required:

• A master’s degree in healthcare administration, business administration, public administration, social work, psychology, counseling, or a related field.
• Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and problem‑solving skills.
• The ability to interpret financial and operational information and use it to guide decisions.
• The ability to lead across multiple departments, manage change, and build accountability.
• Integrity, professionalism, adaptability, and a commitment to the agency’s mission and values.

Preferred:

• Seven to ten years of progressive operational leadership experience, including significant senior leadership responsibility.
• Experience in behavioral health, nonprofit services, healthcare, or a similarly regulated environment.

Benefits That Support You

• At Stepping Stones, caring for our community starts with supporting our employees. We offer a benefits package that includes:
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Paid vacation and sick time.
• A 401(k) retirement plan with an employer match of up to 3%.
• Short‑term and long‑term disability coverage.
• An Employee Assistance Program to support personal well‑being.
• Aflac Benefits
• $15,000 life insurance policy
• Opportunities to collaborate, grow professionally, and make a meaningful difference in our community.

Make an Impact at Stepping Stones

If you are a thoughtful, results driven leader who values teamwork and wants your work to support meaningful services, we encourage you to apply. Bring your experience and vision to help shape the next chapter of Stepping Stones of Rockford.