Chief Operating Officer

Job Description:
A nonprofit organization providing life and disability insurance is seeking a Chief Operating Officer (COO). The COO is a core member of the executive leadership team, responsible for integrating and leading all internal operations, including marketing, member services, billing operations and IT, to drive operational excellence and financial performance. Serving as the organization’s integrator, the COO translates strategy into execution, ensuring cross-functional alignment, disciplined performance management, and progress against strategic plan milestones. The role enables the CEO to focus on external priorities by ensuring day-to-day operations are efficient, scalable, compliant, and member-focused. Success is measured through the achievement of strategic objectives, exceptional member experience, operational efficiency, and the development and retention of high-performing teams. This is a retained search.

• Align and integrate all operational functions with WAEPA’s mission and strategic plan, translating enterprise strategy into actionable priorities, performance metrics and cross-functional initiatives.

• Oversee day-to-day operations across marketing, member services, billing operations, and IT, ensuring efficient processes, scalable infrastructure, regulatory compliance, and consistent execution against financial and operational goals.

• Lead and develop senior leaders and teams, strengthen talent pipelines and succession planning, and foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and mission-driven service.

• Partner with the CFO to ensure operational strategies are financially sound, monitor key financial and operational metrics, evaluate ROI on initiatives, manage budgets, and proactively identify and mitigate operational and compliance risks.

• Collaborate with the CEO and executive leadership team to communicate operational progress, challenges and opportunities.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree

• Advanced degree, such as MBA, MPA or similar (preferred)

• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in operations, strategy or general management roles

• Experience in nonprofit, insurance or member-based organizations (preferred)

• Familiarity with the federal workforce (preferred)

• Demonstrated success leading cross-functional teams and driving organizational change and transformation