Chief Operating Officer​/Deputy Executive Director

The Chief Operating Officer/Deputy Executive Director (COO/DED) will serve as a senior executive leader of IAFC, directly supporting the CEO and responsible for translating CEO strategy/direction and Board-approved initiatives into disciplined execution across the organization. The COO/DED is responsible for the internal management of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and many of its programs, in addition to supervision of the association staff.

Assumes the CEO/Executive Director role during brief periods of absence and may represent the IAFC leadership at events and programs. The role is designed to strengthen operational effectiveness, internal alignment, and organizational resilience during a period of strategic growth, cultural evolution, and increasing external complexity.

The COO/DED supports the CEO/Executive Director on establishing, evolving, and implementing IAFC programs, policies and procedures; conducts directors’ meetings and/or all staff meetings on a regular basis to discuss organizational strategy, projects, policies, and operational issues and concerns.

The CEO/DED is also responsible for reviewing and making recommendations relating to requests for new staff additions and reviewing personnel performance evaluations and professional development plans with the directors, responsible for the development, maintenance and oversight of financial and personnel policies.

• Assist the CEO in orchestrating and overseeing day-to-day operations across IAFC departments, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities, policies, and performance expectations
• Collaborate with the CEO/Executive Director on development of organizational strategic plan in alignment with CEO/Executive Director vision and Board of Directors direction, and responsible for executing and monitoring organizational progress against the strategic plan
• Establish and maintain operating rhythms, performance metrics, and cross-functional coordination
• Lead process modernization and operational improvements to increase efficiency, consistency, and service quality
• As needed, support the CEO in reviewing, monitoring, and strengthening organizational financial performance, e.g., operational budget planning, budget execution, revenues lines (membership dues, events, grants) and expenditures, and coordinates with outsourced CFO for financial statements and processes
• Assist the CEO in ensuring that resources are aligned with strategic priorities and operational capacity
• Develop internal (association) and external strategic (stakeholder community) communication plans
• Directly manages and supervises business units and employees as determined by the CEO.

• Support organizational culture transformation consistent with IAFC’s Mission, Vision, and Values, and the CEO’s
• Partner with HR leadership to strengthen talent development, performance management, succession planning, and workforce structure
• Foster a collaborative, transparent, and accountable internal culture

• Recommends and formulates updates to IAFC policies and procedures, and ensures organizational compliance with policies, procedures, and governance standards
• Support the CEO in Board collaboration, communications, and reporting, and assist the CEO with translating Board direction into operational action plans

• Ensure IAFC’s programs, conferences, resources, and member services are operationally strong, scalable, and aligned with member needs
• Support collaboration across programs, conferences, government relations, and communications teams to deliver cohesive member value
• Assist with developing and implementing strategic plans for membership growth

Four-year college degree in public administration, public relations, business management, human resources management, association management, public policy, or related field.

• Must have an excellent working knowledge of professional associations and nonprofits, and how to deliver a wide array of quality programs and services to members…