W3Global
Chief Operating Officer (COO) – W3Global
Overview
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) partners with the CEO to lead overall operations, ensuring mission alignment, strategic planning, quality assurance, compliance, and system infrastructure across all center locations. This position involves oversight of daily operations, collaboration with center directors and administrative teams, engagement with staff and families, and support for the implementation of educational and organizational initiatives. The COO reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and works closely with the leadership team to ensure the achievement of operational excellence and to drive profitability, scalability, and systems alignment in support of private equity (PE) growth objectives.
Responsibilities
- Translate strategic vision into operational execution with a focus on profit optimization and investment-grade performance
- Lead and manage daily operations across all locations to ensure high standards of care, safety, and educational quality
- Collaborate with the CEO to develop and execute strategic plans that support organizational growth and sustainability
- Oversee center directors and administrative staff, providing leadership, coaching, and performance management
- Lead development, review, and implementation of organization-wide policies, procedures, and SOPs
- Ensure strict compliance with licensing regulations, quality assurance standards, and all local, state, and federal regulations related to childcare and early education
- Evaluate and assess operational performance across centers, identifying gaps and opportunities for improvement
- Implement performance metrics and audit systems for operational accountability
- Monitor and improve operational systems, processes, and best practices to enhance efficiency and service delivery
- Analyze operational performance metrics and implement data-driven improvements
- Develop and implement scalable systems, processes, and best practices to support growth and ensure operational consistency
- Partner with the finance team to track KPIs aligned with EBITDA expansion, margin improvement, and investor-readiness
- Manage budgets, financial reporting, and resource allocation in partnership with the finance team
- Collaborate with finance leadership to align operational spending with growth and quality goals
- Optimize staffing, facility resources, and center-level economics
- Set expectations and guidelines for center staff: teachers, assistants, center directors, and regional managers
- Support staff development and training, and retention of high-quality staff across all centers
- Foster a positive, mission-driven culture that reflects the organization's core values
- Serve as a key liaison between the executive team and center-level leadership
- Ensure seamless roll-out of company-wide operating procedures in new and existing centers
- Perform other duties as assigned
Qualifications
- Experience preparing an organization for investment or sale (e.g., private equity readiness, diligence preparation, or post-acquisition integration) is highly preferred
- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Education Management, or a related field (Master's preferred)
- Proven experience (7+ years) in a senior operational leadership role, preferably within early childhood education, education management, or a related service industry
- Valid New Jersey driver's license
- Ability to obtain approved New Jersey State clearance for child abuse and maltreatment
- Exceptional leadership, communication, and organizational skills
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple teams and locations effectively
- Strong understanding of childcare licensing requirements and best practices in early education
- Provide a current (within two years of date of hire) physical examination and tuberculin (TB) test or chest x-ray by a licensed healthcare professional and maintain these documents bi-annually to remain in compliance with state and organizational regulations
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made as required by law.
- Primarily works in a professional office setting with occasional travel between center locations
- Noise level in the work environment is typically low to moderate
- Work may involve extended periods of sitting, computer use, and participation in meetings
- Must be able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, executive-level environment
- Able to work a flexible schedule, including occasional evenings and weekends as needed
- Able to work independently and collaboratively with minimal supervision
Seniority level
- Executive
Employment type
- Full-time
Job function
- Management and Manufacturing
Industries
- Staffing and Recruiting