Chief Operating Officer

Creative Mindset Consulting has been retained by The Mother's Outreach Network to recruit or this position.

About the organization:

Mother’s Outreach Network (MON) is a constituent-driven nonprofit advocacy organization that tackles the root causes of poverty by advancing the inclusion, rights, and empowerment of Black mothers impacted by the child welfare system and economic injustice. Our practice includes investigation.

MON uses movement-lawyering strategies that will build parents’ power to transform systems and that will aid in harm reduction against impacted constituents. MON does so through three primary programs:

• • The legal program, which provides representation, advice, and referrals for mothers who are facing adverse administrative decisions, with a focus on matters before the DC Child and Family Services Agency, that negatively impact family preservation and economic security;
  • The advocacy program, which seeks to transform income and child welfare/family regulation system policy at the local and federal level; and
  • The community engagement program, which includes outreach events, know-your-rights workshops in law and civic activism, as well as community-driven research and mutual-aid.

The Opportunity

The Chief Operating Officer will bring exceptional nonprofit leadership and strategic abilities with a strong understanding of and respect for root causes of poverty, child welfare system and economic injustice. This dynamic leader will demonstrate excellent emotional intelligence and senior-level experience enabling the Chief Operating Officer to skillfully collaborate with the CEO to oversee day-to-day operations, manage staff, administer contracts, lead strategic program planning, and engage the Board of Directors.

Key responsibilities:

Vision, Strategy Development, and New Initiatives

• Collaborate and be a thought partner with the CEO to develop and implement strategies that advance The Mothers Outreach Network vision and mission.
• Ensure that strategies are documented, clearly communicated within the organization, and effectively implemented by staff.
• Initiate new projects and programs that can catalyze change and build on core strengths while ensuring consistency with strategic direction.
• Strengthen and protect the organization’s reputation and brand through consistent messaging and strategic positioning.
• Enhance marketing, outreach and overall impact utilizing website, social media and digital tools, and data-driven metrics for analysis and decision-making.
• Partner with the CEO and Fundraising Consultant to understand, implement, and support fund development initiatives, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.

Leadership & Management

• Oversee MON’s programs, including hiring high-performing staff and providing supervision, support and coaching aligned with programmatic priorities.
• Provide leadership for the entire direct service team, including staff, trainers and volunteers.
• Lead by example in modeling the vision and core values of MON while guiding staff in advancing the organization’s strategic direction and plan.
• Always model effective leadership characteristics and represent the organization at community events and meetings with partners and other stakeholders.
• Maintain open communication with staff, Executive Director, board members, consultants and stakeholders.
• Develop and implement a diverse and inclusive staffing structure, in conjunction with standard operating procedures.
• Ensure personnel guidelines and framework aligns with the organization’s core values and that support efficient programs and service.
• Facilitate the achievement of strategic goals and promote effective overall management.
• Foster staff retention, development, and growth by creating opportunities for continuous learning and advancement.

Impact and Effectiveness

Work with the staff to:

• • Manage the impact and effectiveness function of MON, including hiring high-performing staff with knowledge and expertise in the evaluation of key elements of the work.
  • Ensure the organization sustains a clear theory of change, that is well understood internally and externally and that evolves as necessary.
  • Ensure effective monitoring, evaluation, and assessment structures are built into the design of grantmaking initiatives.
  • Ensure the development and implementation of an organization-wide learning, monitoring and evaluation framework to capture information regarding MON short-term and long-term impact.
  • Oversee the creation, development and implementation of programs and services that best advance the mission of MON.
  • Ensure positive relationships with partner organizations, policymakers, media, and others.
  • Speak effectively about the direct impact of all programs with donors and partnership organizations.

Finance and Administration

Work closely with staff, CEO and outsourced accounting firm to:

• • Manage the operations of MON including hiring and developing high-performing staff to understand and comply with personnel and fiscal policies and procedures.
  • Develop realistic annual financial goals and plans as well as make decisions consistent with those goals and plans as approved by the Board.
  • Develop financial guidelines and controls to monitor spending and hiring practices, ensuring the organization stays within its approved budget for spending.
  • Develop, maintain, and enforce organizational policies and procedures to ensure consistent and sustainable operations.
  • Manage the full cycle of human resources to include employee on-boarding, employee paperwork, payroll, and off-boarding.
  • External reporting and compliance: Ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations; ensuring all required financial reports are submitted in a timely and accurate manner; monitoring management/lease/organization agreements, with particular attention to financial reporting requirements; and maintaining effective working relationships with the, the state, and other regulatory and oversight agencies.
  • Ensure the effectiveness of all phones, hardware and technological systems and resolve problems when they occur.

Development & Communications:

• • Manage the full cycle of donor engagement from identification to cultivation and stewardship.
  • Assist donors with achieving their philanthropic goals through the organization.
  • Recommend external outreach to foster advocacy, build relationships and drive funding goals.
  • Coordinate the production of the Annual Report or Year in Review, solicitation materials, and other materials as needed.
  • Develop and manage donor facing campaigns including regular donor updates, thank you gifts and swag materials, giving circles, invitations and briefings, and other pieces as needed.
  • Execute donor cultivation events by helping to build concept, create targeted invitation lists, recruit hosts, and coordinate logistics.

Qualifications & Requirements:

The Chief Operating Officer will be highly energetic and passionate, with a track record of achievement in previous leadership roles in nonprofit, government or philanthropic organizations, a commitment to youth and families, established regional networks and relationships within the youth and adult development sector, and demonstrated business acumen. They will demonstrate strong leadership, management, and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively within a team. The Chief Operating Officer will be skilled at working in close partnerships with internal and external stakeholders to develop and set the strategic direction of a credible charitable organization. While respecting the historic grant portfolio, this seasoned, confident leader will effectively bring new approaches forward that will enable The Mothers Outreach Network to achieve continued impact with its fundraising efforts.

The Chief Operating Officer will have demonstrated experience in nonprofit management and program development applying strong academic and programmatic expertise to the role. A postgraduate degree is preferred, along with a recognized professional certification (e.g. Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP) or Project Management Professional (PMP) or ongoing professional development in a related field such as human services, social work, public administration, or business.

The Chief Operating Officer will have a true passion for the mission of The Mothers Outreach Network and an optimistic commitment to championing people development on a regional scale. In addition, ideal candidates will have the following professional competencies and personal characteristics:

Competencies:

An individual should demonstrate the following competencies to perform the essential functions of this position.

• Adaptability – Effectively deals with changing environments (business challenges, technologies, etc.) and continuously seeks opportunities for different and innovative approaches to addressing organizational challenges and opportunities. Adapts interpersonal style to effectively interact with a variety of people.
• Accountability – Assumes ownership/responsibility for achieving results and resulting outcomes. Creates an environment in which others can take full ownership of their work. Recognizes the need for business-related changes and takes accountability for initiating appropriate responses. Is proactive in furthering organizational goals.
• Communications – Articulates The Mothers Outreach Network vision and mission effectively. Establishes and promotes a climate of openness and diversity of expression. Embraces and effectively communicates the connection between individual employee goals and objectives to Mothers Outreach Network’s vision and mission. Encourages team members to express and share ideas and information that will contribute to Mothers Outreach Network’s success. Demonstrates responsiveness in addressing all forms of communications.
• Customer Focus – Demonstrates a key understanding of the customer value proposition and needs of customer segments. Champions systems and processes that make it easy for customers to do business with Mothers Outreach Network. Strives to remove barriers to providing good customer service. Motivates and recognizes staff for excellence in customer focus.
• Dependability – Is punctual and adheres to the organization’s attendance expectations. Faithfully reports to work on time and conforms to scheduled work hours.Follows proper call-in procedures and informs others of ongoing/outstanding work responsibilities in order to prevent/limit disruptions to business operations.
• Budget Management – Prepares forecasts, develops budgets and measures actual performance. Controls costs and manages financial resources within allocated budget.
• People Management – Assigns, develops and motivates employees to complete assignments in an effective manner. Appropriately delegates responsibility and authority, improves staff/management relations, provides timely and constructive performance feedback, and encourages staff development. Sees that extraordinary achievement is properly rewarded.
• Results Orientation – Systematically evaluates business opportunities and targets those opportunities with the greatest potential for producing positive results. Establishes stretch goals that are designed to achieve positive results and prevents irrelevant issues or distractions from interfering with timely completion of important tasks.
• Strategic Direction – Establishes and commits to a long-range course of action to accomplish a long-range goal or vision after analyzing information and assumptions. Develops decision criteria considering relevant factors (e.g., cost, benefits, risks, timing, buy-in, and organizational goals and values) and the decision’s impact on employees, the organization, and customers. Considers the opportunities and risks associated with various options and recommends the course of action with the highest probability of success.

Compensation

This is a full-time salaried position. The salary is competitive with other small nonprofit organizations in Washington, D.C. and will align with the candidate’s relevant experience and knowledge. A health, dental and vision benefits package is provided: health insurance is covered by 100% for the employee and available to dependents. All federal holidays and all holidays observed by the District of Columbia are observed, as well as the week between Christmas and New Year.

This is a full-time salaried position. The salary is competitive with other small nonprofit organizations in Washington, D.C. and will align with the candidate’s relevant experience and knowledge. A health, dental and vision benefits package is provided: health insurance is covered by 100% for the employee and available to dependents. All federal holidays and all holidays observed by the District of Columbia are observed, as well as the week between Christmas and New Year.