Chief Operating Officer, SSP
- Employer
- Student Sponsor Partners
- Location
- New York City, New York
- Salary
- The salary range starts at $200,000+ commensurate with experience and qualifications.
- Posted Date
- Nov 25, 2024
THE MISSION AND VISION
Mission: Student Sponsor Partners harnesses the power of quality education and mentorship to help New York City youth in underserved communities escape the cycle of poverty and reach their highest potential.
Vision: Creating opportunities for students today. Impacting their tomorrow.
THE OPPORTUNITY
Do you believe in the power of education to transform the lives of kids from underserved neighborhoods?
Are you committed to creating pathways to ensure deserving students reach their potential?
Are you driven to strengthen organizational infrastructure and operational systems to achieve strategic goals, maximize programmatic and financial efficiencies, and drive sustainable growth for effective outcomes?
Are you a team player and an open communicator eager to work with a dedicated staff committed to education advancement and equity?
If so, we invite you to keep reading and think about an opportunity for you to make a lasting difference in the lives of deserving youth.
ABOUT STUDENT SPONSOR PARTNERS
Founded by Peter Flanigan in 1986, Student Sponsor Partners (SSP) provides college preparatory high school education for low-income, average-achieving New York City youth and equips them with the academic foundation and character development they need to realize their untapped potential – tools to thrive academically and in their lives.
SSP is an innovative, fast-growing, highly respected organization that offers comprehensive educational and character development support, enabling young people to become outstanding leaders in their families and change agents in their communities. The organization is empowered with a leadership team that can address future opportunities and challenges while advancing the organization’s ambitious goals, visibility, impact, and growth.
Thousands of students are supported by a sponsor and a mentor to guide them through their high school years and beyond. SSP’s record of success is evidenced by the fact that more than 85 percent of its students graduate from high school, which is a substantially higher rate than that historically achieved by the New York City public high schools. Over 55 percent of SSP high school students graduate from college. SSP currently supports approximately 1,200 students a year.
Based in the Wall Street District of New York City, SSP has a current budget of approximately $10 million and has 25 budgeted employees. SSP currently operates on a full-time onsite schedule.
For further information about SSP, please visit https://sspnyc.org.
POSITION SUMMARY
SSP comprises the following three divisions: Development; Programs – Academic & Mentoring; and General Administration. The COO will manage the day-to-day operations of SSP and works in partnership with the Executive Director. The focus will be:
- Overseeing operations – managing directors and their teams across departments.
- Improving processes – identifying and problem-solving bottlenecks and areas that require efficiency and innovation.
- Driving growth – working to drive sustainable growth across the spectrum of services.
As the Executive Director’s deputy, colleague, and ambassador, the COO will be responsible for many aspects of the organization’s operations, collaborating with the Executive Director, the staff, and the Board of Directors as a strategic partner.
To build upon SSP’s legacy of 38 years, the COO will share an unwavering belief in the potential of young students and possess the emotional intelligence to manage a complex organization serving a diverse set of constituencies. All of the efforts of the COO will be driven by a sense of compassion and respect, as well as a strong belief in the potential of young students served.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
General Operational and Overall Skillsets Required
- Collaborate effectively with dedicated Board and staff members with a diverse set of skills and perspectives. Establish and implement organizational strategy and manage through growth and change while building strong teams and consensus.
- Use superior management skills, outstanding leadership, and clear communication to ensure that the day-to-day operations and programs of SSP are professionally and efficiently administered and to hold the organization to the highest levels of transparency, accountability, and consistency.
Program, People, and Management
- Supervise each content area to enhance sustainability, growth, and excellence. Manage the administrative functions of the organization including HR and finance, with an eye toward efficiency, innovative reporting, and honoring employee contributions.
- With the Executive Director, ensure fiscal integrity and viability to donors and stakeholders are maintained. Help to identify or secure existing funding. In partnership with the Executive Director, assist with corporate and foundation stakeholder outreach and event coordination.
- Ensure successful execution of programmatic initiatives that are financially sustainable. Develop strategies to address defined program/staff challenges, innovations, and growth opportunities consistent with the organization’s overall strategy and mission. Assess and recommend new areas for program development.
- Commit to a culture of continuous improvement, pursuing ways to address the gaps and realize new opportunities.
- Conduct regular meetings with the staff to ensure successful and effective delivery of services and optimal impact.
- Remain current in knowledge of relevant educational needs and research for urban youth. Monitor key trends and issues. Communicate their implications with Executive Director and recommend action.
- Lead directors and drive results through KPI’s and metrics.
Financial Oversight
- Work with Executive Director and the Vice President, Finance to establish and monitor overall budget and planning strategies that accurately reflect the financial realities of the organization.
- Achieve realistic and attainable revenue projections and ensure fiscal stability with sound financial controls. Set priorities as related to resources/budgets and program spending. Evaluate and consolidate programs when necessary. Hold self as well as staff accountable for the bottom line.
QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, AND KNOWLEDGE REQUIREMENTS
- Passionately committed to children and the SSP mission, clients, and staff.
- The maturity, confidence, wisdom, and collaborative skills necessary to garner the trust and confidence of the Executive Director, senior team, and Board. A seasoned professional who is organized, strategic, financially aware, and politically astute.
- A strong, caring leader and team player able to motivate and engage others and inspire a sense of team spirit.
- Demonstrated track record of effective and prudent decision-making. An individual with a naturally consultative and inclusive management style who can act decisively when necessary. Able to manage the inherent conflicts of decision-making.
- Strong emotional intelligence to deal effectively with diverse populations. A multidisciplinary and multi-constituency perspective with an ability to connect with people of diverse backgrounds and experiences. An empathic communicator who can quickly build rapport, trust, and credibility.
- Strong program development and project management skills, with the ability to administer multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize workload, and effectively manage resources. Able to promote consistent and enduring high-quality programs and services.
- An analytical and creative problem solver who can anticipate, initiate, and implement rather than just respond to challenges as they arise. Nimble, business-like mind focusing on creative solutions, with a good eye for streamlining processes and finding efficiencies.
- Strong gravitas, with experience developing, implementing, and supporting strategic and organizational plans.
- Commitment to issues of equity, diversity, and inclusion, particularly as it relates to management practices and SSP’s work with its students and families.
- Impeccable attention to detail, deadlines, and follow-through. The ingenuity and creativity to find solutions with limited resources.
- Outgoing, straightforward, and able to share information, listen, learn, and give advice.
- An optimist with a proactive and positive can-do attitude. Enthusiasm to grow and willingness to take on new responsibilities as needed.
- Strong background with finance, information systems, and technology.
- Sound judgment, a high level of integrity and professionalism, and a sense of balance.
- Seven to 10 years as a senior business or nonprofit executive. BA required. Relevant graduate degree or MBA preferred. CPA a plus.
SALARY AND BENEFITS
The salary range for this position starts at $200,000+ commensurate with experience and qualifications. SSP offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including health, dental, vision, and 401K, with a six percent match after one year of service.
SSP seeks a diverse pool of candidates. Applications, including cover letters and résumés, and nominations should be sent to the attention of Paul Spivey at SSPCOO@PhillipsOppenheim.com.
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