Chief Operating Officer

BEAM Circular is unlocking the power of communities to transform waste into opportunity by building a vibrant regional ecosystem for the circular bioeconomy in California’s agricultural heartland. Anchored in the North San Joaquin Valley, we are facilitating collaboration through the Bio Economy, Agriculture, & Manufacturing (BEAM) Initiative to scale the most promising innovations in bioindustrial manufacturing. Our work includes public-private projects and programs in the areas of innovation, access to capital, infrastructure, talent development, and cross-cutting partnerships to advance economic and environmental value for local communities.

We have a dynamic, mission-driven team and are looking for partners to join us who believe in rolling up their sleeves to contribute to a bold vision, who have a results-oriented, “get things done” record, who lead with curiosity, collaboration, and kindness; and who are dedicated to positive impact for people and the planet. BEAM Circular is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and encourages individuals identifying with any race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, national origin, and abilities to apply.

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) serves as BEAM Circular’s senior internal leader, organizational integrator, and the Chief Executive Officer’s most senior operating partner. The COO is responsible for translating BEAM’s strategy into effective execution by overseeing organizational operations, performance management, and internal systems, and holds delegated authority from the CEO for day-to-day internal decisions. Working in close partnership with the Chief Executive Officer, the COO ensures that BEAM’s programs, operations, and teams are aligned, well-resourced, and deliver results.

The COO leads and develops BEAM’s internal leadership team and is accountable for the operational, financial, and administrative backbone of the organization as well as a major capital project in development. This role is designed to strengthen internal coordination and accountability, enabling the CEO to focus on external strategy, partnerships, and fundraising as BEAM enters its next phase of growth.

• Serve as a strategic partner to the CEO in operationalizing BEAM’s mission, vision, and strategic priorities.
• Exercise delegated authority from the CEO for internal operating decisions within agreed parameters, and act decisively so that issues are resolved at the COO level rather than escalated by default.
• Translate organizational strategy into clear annual and quarterly work plans with measurable goals and timelines.
• Drive cross-functional decision-making to align programs, operations, and finance with external-facing initiatives, funding requirements, and long-term organizational strategy.
• Supervise and support senior internal leaders, provide coaching and accountability; set clear expectations, manage performance, and build the capacity of teams and functions that must mature as BEAM does.

• Oversee organizational operations, including finance, human resources, legal compliance, and internal policies, in partnership with the Senior Director of Finance & Operations.
• Serve as the organization’s senior financial strategist: own the annual budget and multi-year financial model, monitor cash position and runway, evaluate the financial implications of program and capital decisions, and advise the CEO and Board on where resources are available and where constraints are real.
• Ensure sound financial management, internal controls, and compliance with nonprofit, federal, and grant…