Chief Operating Officer

• Energetic team driven by a mission to advance good
• Award-winning, entrepreneurial nonprofit with a collaborative culture
• Generous PTO policy
• Convenient location and peaceful, supportive office environment
• Professional development opportunities
• Ability to make a real, lasting difference in children’s and families’ lives

The Chief Operating Officer is a full‑time, senior executive role responsible for the internal operations of Festa. The COO will lead the central staff team that runs Festa’s flagship programs, finance function, HR function translating the CEO’s vision and the Board’s strategy into consistent execution across the organization. The COO will serve as Festa’s chief team builder, setting staff goals, driving accountability, standardizing SOPs, and leading staff while ensuring the organization’s programs remain high‑quality, well‑documented, safe and ready to scale.

This is an in‑person role based in Columbus, Ohio.

• Serve as chief team builder for Festa’s central staff, fostering a culture of teamwork & collaboration, accountability and professional growth.
• Set staff goals and hold departments accountable for outcomes, in partnership with the CEO.
• Lead and develop staff and ensure internal communication rhythms and operating systems across internal departments.
• Review, develop, document, and standardize Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) across programs and departments.

• Provide direct leadership to:
  Program Managers and Programs Admin;
  Finance Manager; HR Manager and Office Manager
  Oversee program quality, delivery, and impact data across the 3‑Generation Family ESL program, Summer Lunch Camps, and Business ESL.
• Ensure sound financial operations — budgeting, reporting, and audit readiness — in partnership with the Finance Manager, Board Treasurer, and auditor.
• Support staff development, onboarding, and training initiatives led by the HR Manager and Director Business ESL and Organizational Communications.

• Partner with the CEO and Board to translate Festa’s strategic vision into operational plans and milestones.
• Build the processes and systems, staffing structure, and reporting cadence needed to enable Festa’s growth from a one‑city to a a vision of 3-Generation Family ESL program in every major city in ISA via teach and release model “online Festa online training.”
• Ensure we build the processes and systems, staffing structure, and reporting cadence needed to enable growth within Festa’s Business ESL programming.
• Identify operational risks and opportunities and bring recommendations to the CEO and leadership team.

• 12+ years of progressive leadership experience, ideally including business, corporate, or nonprofit operations management, strategic marketing and communications, community program management, or comparable roles.
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in business administration, nonprofit management, or a related field preferred.
• Demonstrated success building or scaling teams, systems, and processes in a growing organization.
• Experience overseeing budgets, staff development, and cross‑functional teams.
• Strong, trusted people leader who fosters a strong culture of accountability to deliver on the mission.
• Systems thinker who can translate vision into repeatable, well‑documented operations.
• Comfortable operating at both strategic and hands‑on levels in a growing, resource‑conscious nonprofit.
• Collaborative partner to a visionary Founder/CEO and an engaged Board.
• Alignment with Festa’s mission.

Position requires satisfactory completion of a background check. Festa is an equal opportunity employer.