Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Driving Academy; Linden (NJ); On-site; USD 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Vacation Days

Paid Holidays

Health Insurance Stipend

401K with 4% Matching

Employee Discount

Professional Training & Development Opportunities

Job summary

Driving Academy is seeking a Chief Operating Officer (COO) to oversee the daily operations of all departments including Human Resources, IT, and Franchise Operations. The COO will be responsible for building scalable systems for growth, enhancing performance metrics, and leading multi-state operations.

Ideal candidates will have prior experience in executive operational roles, preferably in a Private Equity backed organization. Key competencies include strong communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills. Benefits include paid vacation, health insurance stipends, and professional development opportunities.

Qualifications

• Prior experience as a Chief Operating Officer or another senior executive operational role required.
• Experience leading operations across multiple locations or units.
• Bachelor's Degree in business or a related field preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of all operational departments.
• Build repeatable, scalable operating systems.
• Establish and improve Key Performance Indicators across the company.

Skills

Written and oral communication skills

Leadership and coaching skills

Problem solving

Financial, Data, and Technological Literacy

Strong interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree in business or related field

MBA or Master's Degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Suite

Job description

Position Summary

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) reports directly to the CEO and is responsible for building and running the operating systems that make growth repeatable, profitable, and sustainable. This role owns the day-to-day performance of all operational departments, drives EBITDA and location growth, and develops the leaders who run them.

Performance Objectives

• Oversees the day-to-day operations of all operational departments — Human Resources, IT, Site Development, Franchising Operations, and Corporate Location Operations
• Builds repeatable, scalable operating systems that open new locations, grow revenue, protect margin, develop leaders, and support franchisees
• Sets targets for and drives Year-over-Year location growth, and reviews and executes growth strategies including new-location development and mergers and acquisitions (M&A)
• Establishes, monitors, and improves Key Performance Indicators across the company in categories such as sales, operations, and financial performance
• Performs regular site visits to corporate and franchise locations to observe teams, review performance, identify bottlenecks, and advise corrective action
• Assesses location performance via standardized rubric to identify key methods of increasing success
• Coordinates with regional management staff in developing strategies and implementation to address performance deficiencies and capitalize on gains
• Conducts regular meetings with direct reports
• Travels between a local base and corporate & franchise locations
• Delivers reports to key stakeholders regarding performance of the designated region
• Other related duties as assigned

Key Competencies

• Written and oral communication skills.
• Leadership and coaching skills
• Knowledge of business principles; understanding of function and use of operational departments
• Problem solving, including identifying root causes and optimal solutions
• Financial, Data, and Technological Literacy
• Strong interpersonal skills to tailor training needs
• Ability to hold oneself and others accountable
• Ability to work under pressure
• Excellent analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving skills

Education and Experience

• Prior experience as a Chief Operating Officer or in another senior executive (C-suite) operational role (required)
• Demonstrated success leading operations across multiple locations or units, including multi-state operations (required)
• Experience developing new locations and/or executing M&A or new-market expansion (required)
• Bachelor's Degree in business or related field; MBA or Master's Degree (Preferred)
• Executive or senior leadership experience in a Private Equity backed organization (preferred)
• Experience in Education management or related field (preferred)
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and Google Suite
• Must possess or be able and willing to earn a Commercial Driver's License

Physical Requirements

• Ability to spend prolonged periods of time standing, speaking, walking, driving, writing, and/or sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Must be able to lift at least 15 pounds at a time
• Perform work with OSHA required PPE
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential requirements

Benefits

• Paid Vacation Days
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick Days
• Health Insurance Stipend
• 401K with 4% Matching
• Employee Discount
• Professional Training & Development Opportunities

Commitment to Diversity

As an equal opportunity employer committed to meeting the needs of a multigenerational and multicultural workforce, Driving Academy recognizes that a diverse staff, reflective of our community, is an integral and welcome part of a successful and ethical business. We hire local talent at all levels regardless of race, color, religion, age, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability and actively foster inclusion in all forms both within our company and across interactions with clients, candidates, and partners.