This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Chief Operating Officer based in the United States. We are seeking an experienced Chief Operating Officer to translate organizational strategy into coordinated execution and measurable impact within a growing, mission-driven nonprofit. Working closely with the CEO, you will strengthen operational alignment, guide high-priority initiatives, and ensure teams have the clarity and accountability needed to deliver results. This role combines executive leadership and organizational management with a strong understanding of clinical quality and behavioral health. You will help shape programs, partnerships, and decisions that improve access to person-centered support for people living with schizophrenia and psychosis. As a key connection between executive leadership, staff, the Board, and external stakeholders, you will play a central role in advancing the organization's mission. This is a full-time, exempt, fully remote position reporting directly to the CEO, with periodic travel as needed.
Accountabilities
- Strategic Execution and Organizational Alignment
- Implement and monitor strategic priorities, organizational goals, milestones, and performance measures.
- Translate strategic decisions into clear initiatives, timelines, ownership, accountability, and follow-through.
- Identify risks, dependencies, and competing priorities, bringing relevant leaders together to resolve challenges.
- Facilitate cross-departmental decision-making and clarify roles and decision-making authority across functions and affiliated organizations.
- Executive Leadership and Strategic Initiatives
- Act as a trusted thought partner to the CEO, synthesizing complex information to support sound strategic and operational decisions.
- Translate executive priorities into actionable projects and represent the CEO when delegated.
- Lead high-priority strategic projects and organization-wide initiatives from research and planning through implementation.
- Conduct research, benchmarking, and environmental analysis to identify opportunities for organizational growth and impact.
- Clinical Strategy and Program Quality
- Own the clinical quality framework across programs, ensuring strong standards for access, participant experience, content accuracy, ethical practice, and outcomes.
- Establish clinical consultation, escalation, and risk-management procedures to guide staff when individuals require support beyond education or navigation.
- Apply clinical knowledge and evidence-based practices to strengthen program decisions, partnerships, and service delivery.
- Board and Stakeholder Engagement
- Serve as a key liaison between the CEO and Board of Directors, ensuring both receive accurate and timely information.
- Prepare the CEO for important engagements with donors, partners, researchers, advocates, and policymakers.
- Coordinate follow-through on major external partnerships and stakeholder commitments.
- Handle confidential organizational and executive matters with discretion, professionalism, and sound judgment.
Requirements
The ideal candidate combines senior leadership experience with strong organizational, strategic, and clinical judgment, along with a genuine understanding of the needs of people affected by schizophrenia and psychosis.
- Advanced degree in business administration, nonprofit management, public administration, communications, public health, social sciences, or a related field.
- At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience within a nonprofit, mission-driven, healthcare, mental health, advocacy, or similarly complex organization.
- Direct experience with schizophrenia spectrum disorders, psychosis, early psychosis, or serious mental illness (SMI) recovery.
- Proven ability to lead complex, cross-functional initiatives from concept through implementation and program evaluation, incorporating measurable outcomes and accountability.
- Experience working with a nonprofit Board of Directors.
- Ability to translate business, clinical, and scientific information for diverse audiences and apply evidence to practical program and partnership decisions.
- Excellent written and verbal communication, facilitation, and stakeholder-management skills.
- Demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders, build alignment, and lead effectively through ambiguity and organizational change.
- Strong proficiency with collaboration and project-management tools.
Preferred Qualifications
- Behavioral health clinical experience, particularly supporting individuals with serious mental illness and first-episode psychosis, through clinical care, clinical administration, behavioral health program leadership, or recovery-oriented services.
- Independent clinical licensure or advanced clinical credentials, such as LCSW, LCPC, LMFT, PsyD, PhD, PMHNP, Psychiatric CNS, or MD.
- Experience working in a small or rapidly growing organization where responsibilities and structures are evolving.
- Lived or family experience with psychosis or serious mental illness. Candidates with these perspectives, as well as clinical administrators seeking to transition into enterprise leadership, are especially encouraged to apply.
- Willingness to maintain relevant clinical credentials through continuing education and license renewal, where applicable. This is a non-caseload position.
Benefits
- Annual salary ranging from $140,000 to $160,000, depending on experience and qualifications.
- Full-time, exempt employment.
- Fully remote work arrangement.
- Opportunity to contribute to a mission-driven organization focused on improving the lives of people affected by schizophrenia and psychosis.
- Support for continuing education and professional license renewal.
- Inclusive and accessible working environment, with reasonable accommodations and assistive technology available to support candidates and employees.
- Opportunities to collaborate with clinical professionals, researchers, advocates, donors, and policymakers.
- Periodic travel for Board meetings, organizational gatherings, conferences, and retreats.