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Chief Operating Officer
Descripción
Descripción
Location: Stamford, CT
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
About Us
Children’s Learning Centers of Fairfield County (CLC) has been Stamford’s leading early childhood education provider for more than 120 years, serving over 800 children annually. Through early learning, health, nutrition, and family support, CLC helps children build strong foundations for lifelong success.
CLC’s work strengthens families, supports the workforce, and contributes to a more equitable community. We are a mission-driven organization committed to high-quality service, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.
Position Overview
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a key member of the executive leadership team and serves as the CEO’s primary operational partner.
- The COO is responsible for leading and strengthening the operational infrastructure that enables CLC to deliver high-quality services across multiple sites.
- The COO oversees core operational functions, including Facilities, Information Technology, Human Resources, and Finance. This role directly supervises senior operational leaders, including the Director of Facilities, Director of Human Resources, Director of Information Technology, and Controller, and oversees the organization’s relationship with fractional financial partners.
- Working closely with the CEO and senior leadership team, the COO translates organizational strategy into effective systems, structures, and execution.
- As CLC prepares for significant capital investments, the COO will play a central role in overseeing facilities strategy and major capital projects in partnership with Facilities leadership and external partners.
- This is a highly visible, onsite leadership role requiring a hands-on presence across CLC’s sites.
Core Responsibilities
Executive Leadership and Strategy
- Serve as a strategic partner to the CEO and active member of the executive leadership team
- Translate organizational vision into operational plans, systems, and execution
- Lead high-priority, cross-functional initiatives that advance CLC’s strategic goals
- Lead organizational change efforts, ensuring clear communication and successful adoption
- Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement
- Ensure operational decisions reflect the needs of children, families, and staff
Operations Leadership
- Oversee multi-site operations and ensure consistency and efficiency across locations
- Directly supervise and develop senior operational leaders
- Strengthen internal systems, workflows, and documentation
- Ensure strong coordination across departments and sites
- Identify operational risks and implement mitigation strategies
Finance Leadership and Oversight
- Provide strategic oversight of the finance function in partnership with the Controller
- Manage relationships with fractional and external financial partners
- Ensure strong financial systems, controls, and reporting processes
- Align financial operations with organizational priorities and sustainability goals
Human Resources Leadership
- Partner with the Director of Human Resources to oversee recruitment, onboarding, performance management, and staff development
- Ensure HR practices promote clarity, accountability, equity, and staff sustainability
- Support effective labor relations in a unionized environment
- Foster a culture of trust, transparency, and shared responsibility
Facilities, IT, and Capital Projects
- Provide strategic oversight of facilities, IT, and administrative systems
- Oversee planning and execution of major capital projects
- Ensure capital projects align with organizational priorities and program needs
- Strengthen technology systems, data management, and cybersecurity practices
External Partnerships and Risk Management
- Oversee organizational risk management, including insurance and compliance
- Manage relationships with insurance and benefits providers
- Represent CLC with external stakeholders as needed
Qualifications and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred
- Significant senior-level operational leadership experience in a complex, multi-site organization
- Nonprofit or public-sector experience strongly preferred
- Demonstrated success leading cross-functional teams and managing complexity
- Proven experience leading organizational change and driving adoption
- Strong strategic thinking, project management, and execution skills
- Experience in a unionized environment preferred
- Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills
- Comfort operating as a visible, onsite leader
What Success Looks Like
- Clear, effective operational systems aligned with mission outcomes
- Strong, accountable, and well-supported teams
- Successful execution of complex, cross-functional initiatives and capital projects
- Reduced administrative burden and improved organizational efficiency
- A high-functioning partnership between the COO and CEO
Compensación
Benefits
At CLC, we support your well-being and career with a comprehensive benefits package including:
- Medical, Dental, and Life Insurance
- 401(k) with Employer Match (up to 4%)
- Generous Paid Time Off
- Professional development opportunities
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
To learn more about CLC’s benefits package, please click here.
Successful completion of background check and drug screening is required as a condition of hire.
Nivel de Idiomas
English - read, write, speak
Spanish language proficiency is a plus
Ubicación
Cómo aplicar
How to Apply
To apply, please submit:
- Your resume via the CLC website Job Opportunities page.
- Responses to the questions at this link. Please note that the questions are also provided below, but you must submit your responses via the linked form.
Your application will not be considered complete unless your resume AND the question responses are submitted.
Application Questions to be submitted at this link.
Note that responses are required to be less than 1500 Characters, which is approximately 250 words. All the questions are required.
Professional Journey, Motivation & Impact
Tell us about your professional journey and what brings you to this role at CLC. Please include:
- Key experiences that have shaped how you approach operations leadership
- Why this role and CLC’s mission are a strong fit for you
- One operational system, process, or improvement you’ve led that had a meaningful impact
Leading Change in a Complex Organization
Tell us about a time you led a significant operational or organizational change.
- What was the context?
- What challenges did you encounter?
- What actions did you take?
- What was the outcome?
- What would you do differently?
From Strategy to Execution
Describe a time when you translated a high-level strategy into execution across multiple teams or functions.
- How did you structure the work?
- How did you ensure accountability?
- What challenges did you encounter?
Developing Leaders and Building Strong Teams
This role supervises senior leaders across multiple functions. Tell us about your approach to developing and supporting leaders on your team.
- How do you set clear expectations and maintain accountability?
- How do you support leaders in growing their skills and effectiveness?
- Can you share an example of how you helped a leader or team improve performance or collaboration?
