Chief Operating Officer

Midwest Region | Professional Services | K–12 Education Sector
RSP is a Midwest consulting firm that provides data-driven planning and decision support to K–12 school districts. For more than 25 years, we have helped school leaders make informed decisions through enrollment analysis, boundary planning, demographic forecasting, and community engagement.

The COO serves as the operational leader responsible for turning the CEO’s strategic vision into consistent execution across projects, teams, and client engagement.

This role oversees consulting delivery, team performance, operational systems, and resource management to support scalable and sustainable growth. The COO works closely with the CEO to guide day-to-day operations while maintaining clear and professional communication with both team members and clients.

• Oversee consulting engagements from initiation through delivery
• Maintain alignment between client expectations, project deliverables, and timelines
• Lead and coordinate internal teams (GIS analysts, planners, and consultants) to deliver high-quality work
• Align team workloads with project demand and seasonal district planning cycles
• Strengthen systems that support board presentations and community engagement processes

• Lead operational execution across consulting engagements, ensuring projects are delivered with clarity, consistency, and strong client communication
• Ensure quality control and consistency across all client deliverables
• Develop scalable workflows that reduce team stress while maintaining proactive communication and adherence to project timelines
• Manage team resources against financial performance targets with transparent internal reporting
• Improve communication processes that support district leadership, board engagement, and community-facing work

Success in this role will be reflected in the strength, consistency, and scalability of the organization’s operations. The COO will work closely with the CEO to establish measurable operational benchmarks and refine systems that support high-quality consulting delivery.

Performance in this role will be evaluated through outcomes such as:

• Consulting engagements delivered on schedule with clear client communication
• Consistent quality and alignment across project deliverables
• Improved internal workflows that support efficient project delivery

• Effective alignment of team workloads with project demand and seasonal district cycles
• Clear internal communication and accountability across teams
• Reduced operational friction that allows team members to focus on high-value work

• Strong relationships with district leadership teams and board members
• Clear and structured communication throughout consulting engagements
• Positive client feedback and continued client partnerships

• Implementation of systems that support scalable consulting delivery
• Operational improvements that strengthen the organization’s ability to grow while maintaining service quality
• Increased organizational clarity around roles, workflows, and project management processes

• Proven operational leadership experience in a consulting, professional services, or education-focused organization
• Strong systems thinker with experience developing or improving operational workflows
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and deliver complex projects
• Financial and resource management experience in a billable-service environment
• Executive presence and credibility with both the RSP team and clients
• Clear, structured communication skills
• Experience working in or with school districts is strongly preferred

The COO will help reinforce a culture built on accountability, clarity, and disciplined execution. Successful leaders in this role typically demonstrate the following characteristics:

• Leaders take responsibility for outcomes, follow through on commitments, and ensure projects move forward with clarity and discipline.

• Strong…