Chief Operating Officer

Job Details

Job Location:

Hybrid Remote-Main Campuses - LYNNWOOD, WA 98087, Position Type:
Full Time, Education Level: 4 Year Degree, Salary Range: $ - $ Salary, Travel Percentage:
None, Job Category:
Executive, About the Position

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a senior executive responsible for leading PAWS’ day-to-day operations and ensuring organizational resources, people, programs, and infrastructure are aligned with PAWS’ mission and strategic priorities. The COO partners closely with the CEO and senior leadership team to translate strategy into effective operations, strengthen organizational performance, manage risk, and foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and inclusion.

The COO provides leadership across PAWS’ operational functions, including animal care programs, facilities, safety, compliance, financial planning, and organizational effectiveness. The position serves as a key representative of PAWS with community partners, government agencies, funders, and other external stakeholders.

The COO leads through PAWS’ operational and professional leaders, establishing clear expectations, accountability, resources, and organizational alignment while empowering subject‑matter experts to lead within their areas of expertise. The COO is expected to maintain an executive-level perspective, focusing on organizational performance, leadership development, cross-functional coordination, and strategic priorities rather than day‑to‑day program management.

Essential duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following. Duties and responsibilities may be modified or assigned at any time, with or without notice. To perform this job successfully, an individual must satisfactorily perform each essential function.

• Partner with the CEO and senior leadership team to develop and execute organizational strategy, execute 3-yr strategy plan, create departmental goals and annual operating priorities.
• Translate strategic goals into measurable operational plans, outcomes, and performance expectations.
• Promote a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Support One Paws mission by ensuringe effective communication and alignment across departments.

• Provide executive oversight of PAWS’ core operational functions, ensuring alignment with organizational strategy, mission, resources, and performance expectations.
• Lead through Associate Directors, Lead Veterinarians, managers, and other organizational leaders, empowering subject‑matter experts to make decisions within clearly defined areas of responsibility and authority.
• Establish clear accountability, decision-making authority, and escalation pathways across operational teams.
• Evaluate organizational and operational performance using data, outcomes, established standards, and input from subject‑matter experts.
• Identify and address systemic barriers, cross‑functional challenges, resource needs, and organizational risks that cannot be effectively resolved at the departmental level.
• Promote coordination across Wildlife, Companion Animal Services, Veterinary Services, Facilities, and other organizational functions while respecting the distinct expertise and responsibilities of each team.

• Partner with the CEO and CFO to develop and manage annual operating budgets and long‑term resource plans.
• Monitor operational and financial performance and ensure responsible use of organizational resources.
• Approve expenditures and contracts within delegated authority.
• Support major agreements, contracts, and resource‑allocation decisions.