Chief Operating Officer

About Horton's Kids

Horton's Kids is a 36-year-old community-based organization committed to driving positive change for over 600 children and families in Southeast DC by providing comprehensive academic, social-emotional, health, and wellness support. We partner with communities in Southeast DC, where children and families with immense potential face the daily reality of historical systemic disinvestment. Our approach involves working directly with families to access resources and services to overcome unjust obstacles and reach their full potential.

Horton's Kids operates three Community Resource Centers, each playing a vital role in our mission. At the heart of our operations is Horton's Kids Community Resource Hub or "Horton's Hub", serving as our largest location and headquarters. This multifunctional space serves as both our administrative offices and the central hub for our programming and distribution efforts.

Position Overview

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) will be a pivotal leader at Horton's Kids, ensuring financial sustainability, operational excellence, and organizational infrastructure that supports our mission. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the COO will serve as a strategic partner responsible for building and maintaining the systems, controls, and processes that enable effective program delivery and organizational growth.

This role demands a highly organized, systems-oriented leader with deep expertise in nonprofit operations, financial management, and infrastructure development. The COO will design and implement operational systems that ensure strong financial controls, maintain facilities and equipment to the highest standards, and sustain the organizational backbone that allows programs to thrive and scale.

The position has one full-time direct report – Director of Human Resources and Operations and one part-time direct report – Facilities & Operations Coordinator. The position also directly manages relationships with external accounting firms, banks, audit firms, outsourced IT support vendors, local IT contractors, HR ASO, insurance brokers, and various interns or fellows as needed.

Who Should Apply

We seek an exceptional operations executive who thrives on building systems and infrastructure that enable mission impact. The ideal candidate is a financial strategist and systems builder with proven experience creating operational frameworks from the ground up. Ideal candidates are highly organized, detail-oriented, and passionate about ensuring that every operational element—from financial controls to facilities management—functions seamlessly to support the children, families, and staff of Horton’s Kids.

Responsibilities

Financial Management, Controls & Compliance

• Collaborate actively with the Chief Executive Officer and department heads to develop, manage, and monitor the annual $5M budget with regular variance analysis and forecasting.
• Lead financial operations, internal controls, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting to ensure transparency and long-term sustainability.
• Work closely with our external accounting firm and CDO to ensure a timely monthly close.
• Ensure compliance with GAAP, audits, grant requirements, and all applicable nonprofit regulations.
• Convene Board Finance Committee and serve as the liaison to the Treasurer.

Facilities, Equipment & Operations Management

• Build and improve systems, workflows, and SOPs that ensure efficient, consistent operations across all Community Resource Centers and the Hub.
• Establish clear decision-making and delegation structures and lead continuous process improvement and knowledge management.
• Oversee safe, well-maintained facilities and equipment across all sites, including preventive maintenance, vendors, and emergency readiness.
• Ensure compliance with safety, accessibility, health, and licensing requirements.
• Manage relationships with landlords, contractors, and service providers to ensure cost-effective, high-quality facilities operations and capital improvements.

Risk Management, Compliance & Organizational Controls

• Implement enterprise risk management, internal controls, organizational policies, use of artificial intelligence, and insurance oversight to protect operations and reduce exposure.
• Convene Board Audit and Risk Committee and serve as liaison to the Audit and Risk Chair.

Technology & Information Systems Management

• Oversee secure, reliable IT systems and data practices, leveraging technology to improve efficiency, continuity, and decision-making.

Human Resources & Organizational Culture

• Partner with CEO, Chief of Staff and Director of HROPS to strengthen talent systems, performance management, staff development, and a culture of DEI and belonging.

Strategic Leadership & Collaboration

• Serve as a core executive leader, aligning operations with program goals and strategy.
• Support CEO with board reporting, external relationships, and organizational change management.
• Play a key role in executing the strategic plan for areas connected to the role and supporting the organization's processes of strategy development and implementation.

Essential Experience and Competencies

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Nonprofit Management, or CPA strongly preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive operational and financial management experience, with at least 5 years in nonprofit organizations.
• Demonstrated expertise in building operational systems, implementing internal controls, and scaling organizational infrastructure.
• Proven ability to design and implement financial management systems, budgeting processes, and compliance frameworks in nonprofit settings.
• Strong knowledge of nonprofit finance and accounting regulations, GAAP, grant compliance, OMB Uniform Guidance, and audit requirements.
• Experience managing facilities, overseeing capital projects, and ensuring operational integrity of multi-site organizations.
• Demonstrated success in risk management, compliance oversight, and developing organizational policies and procedures.
• Exceptional organizational skills with meticulous attention to detail, strong analytical capabilities, and systems-thinking orientation.
• Strategic mindset with ability to translate operational functions into mission impact and organizational sustainability.
• Strong leadership capabilities including team development, cross-functional collaboration, and managing diverse operational functions.
• Excellent communication skills with ability to present complex financial and operational information clearly to diverse audiences.
• Self-starter who takes initiative, exercises sound judgment, and proactively identifies and solves problems.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain high-quality standards in fast-paced environments.
• Deep commitment to advancing equity, justice, and systemic change for children and families, with cultural competency in working with diverse communities.
• Experience working in community-based organizations or youth-serving nonprofits strongly preferred.

Compensation

Salary will be commensurate with experience, and in range of salary comps for similarly sized organizations in the Washington, DC Metro area.

Benefits

Horton's Kids offers comprehensive benefits, including generous leave, health benefits, retirement plans, and wellness allowances to support our team's well-being.

Any offers made to candidates will be contingent upon undergoing standard screening requirements including an FBI background check, and Child Protection Register check. Must be 18 or older to apply. Horton’s Kids, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.