Chief Operating Officer

Overview

UCAN is seeking a Chief Operating Officer (COO) to provide strategic and operational leadership to ensure the effective delivery of programs and services that advance the mission of UCAN. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the COO oversees day-to-day operations, program implementation, compliance, and organizational systems to ensure high-quality, efficient, equitable, and integrated services to the community. This role partners closely with executive leadership to translate strategic goals into operational excellence while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

The COO serves as a systems integrator across departments, advancing a “One-UCAN” approach that aligns people, processes, and outcomes around community impact.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION:

The essential functions of this position require prioritizing and completing all assigned tasks in a timely and efficient manner, adjusting for changing priorities and availability of resources, and demonstrating initiative in identifying additional job-related tasks to be completed when time permits. These duties are a representative example of position expectations. Actual duties assigned may vary and change depending on the business needs of the department and the agency.

• Provide leadership and oversight of agency operations and programs, ensuring alignment with the agency’s mission, strategic plan, and goals. Advance an integrated “One-UCAN” approach to service delivery and operations.
• Translate organizational strategy into operational plans, policies, and procedures that support effective, high-quality service delivery.
• Oversee the implementation, monitoring, and continuous improvement of all programs and services.
• Use data, performance metrics, and outcomes to evaluate effectiveness, guide decision-making, and support continuous improvement and organizational learning.
• Partner with the CEO and executive leadership team to assess organizational capacity, identify risks, and implement operational solutions.
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations, funder requirements, contracts, and CSBG Organizational Standards across UCAN’s portfolio, including shelter, housing, early learning, food, and other anti-poverty programs.
• Oversee internal controls, policies, and procedures to mitigate operational and programmatic risk.
• Support audits, monitoring reviews, and corrective action planning, ensuring timely and effective resolution of findings.
• Provide direct supervision and leadership to senior program and operations staff, including routine supervisory responsibilities such as approving timesheets, leave requests, and conducting regular supervisory meetings.
• Monitor, manage, and evaluate staff performance; provide coaching, feedback, documentation, and performance evaluations in accordance with agency policies.
• Foster a positive, supportive work environment that encourages accountability, collaboration, and professional growth. Model UCAN’s values in decision-making, conflict resolution, and leadership behavior.
• Collaborate with the CEO and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to align agency operations with financial goals, budgets, and long-term sustainability.
• Support development, monitoring, and revision of program and departmental budgets; review and approve departmental budgets and resolve budgetary issues through planning and resource development in partnership with the Finance team.
• Promote responsible resource allocation, cost control, and operational sustainability.
• Ensure operating policies and procedures comply with agency fiscal policies and funder requirements.
• Coordinate across departments to support the design, implementation, and maintenance of efficient administrative systems, including facilities, information technology, records management, and standardized operating procedures.
• Represent the agency in community partnerships, coalitions, and stakeholder meetings as assigned. Serve as a senior-level representative in cross-sector and government forums as appropriate.
• Support cross-sector collaboration that strengthens service coordination, partnerships, and…