Chief Operating Officer

Overview

Chief Operating Officer

San Diego Youth Services seeks a Chief Operating Officer (COO) to be based at our Point Loma Administration Headquarters. This is a full-time exempt position reporting to the Chief Executive Officer. San Diego Youth Services has helped improve the lives of more than 780,000 homeless, runaway and vulnerable youth since its beginning in 1970. We provide safe places to live and long-term solutions through shelter, foster homes, community centers and housing to more than 28,000 youth every year at 100+ community and school locations. Through prevention, early intervention and treatment, we also help youth before they need higher levels of care or become homeless.

We aim to :

• Meet the basic needs of youth. Hunger, poverty and youth homelessness are on the rise for many youth and their families today. We help meet these basic needs for youth.
• Create positive connection. We help youth focus on positive life changes and healthy relationships as part of providing needed resources and services.
• Help youth develop life skills. In addition to a range of safe and stable housing options, we offer support to help youth develop the independent living skills necessary to become self-sufficient and keep off the streets.
• Promote overall health and well-being. Early intervention and care for the whole child are critical. We provide a broad continuum of services to help youth overcome trauma and challenges that put them at risk, including case management, counseling, mental health treatment and educational support and resources.

SDY has a staff of approximately 250 employees and 80 volunteers working across San Diego County and an annual budget of approximately $28 million.

The COO will be part of the SDYS Executive Leadership Team (ELT). The Executive Leadership Team (ELT) at San Diego Youth Services is a collaborative group of senior leaders responsible for guiding the organization's strategy, culture, and operations. The COO is a key member of SDYS' executive leadership team (ELT), responsible for ensuring organizational excellence across multiple programs in 5 divisions, facilities, IT and quality management. The COO provides strategic leadership and operational oversight to advance the SDYS mission, strengthen infrastructure, and ensures high standards of service delivery.

Essential functions

• Programs: Provide executive oversight of SDYS' programs, ensuring alignment with mission, vision, and strategic priorities.
• Facilities: Oversee all SDYS facilities and properties, ensuring safe, welcoming, and functional environments for youth, staff, and partners.
• Quality Management: Lead agency-wide quality assurance and compliance efforts, ensuring adherence to contracts, funder requirements, and accreditation standards.
• IT: In collaboration with the Director of CQIT, and the external outsourcing IT company, Excedeo, provide oversight of IT systems, infrastructure, and support services to ensure secure, efficient, and reliable operations.
• Leadership & Culture: Serve as a thought partner to the CEO, supporting agency-wide strategy and vision.

Requirements and qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree in nonprofit management, social services, public administration, or related field strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in nonprofit, human services, or related sectors.
• Experience managing / overseeing diverse funding streams and payment models.
• Demonstrated success in program oversight, operations / facilities management, and quality / compliance leadership.
• Strong knowledge of nonprofit regulations, contracts, and funding streams.
• Excellent strategic thinking, communication, and organizational skills.
• Commitment to the mission and values of San Diego Youth Services.

Physical requirements

• Ability to bend at the waist, kneel or crouch to assist students.
• Ability to hear and speak to exchange information and make presentations.
• Ability to lift and carry 20 pounds-lifting books, materials and equipment to execute lessons and presentations.
• Sitting or standing for extended periods of time.
• Walking extended lengths to move around campuses.
• Potential exposure to physical injury from aggressive behavior.

SDY expectations

• Adhere to and uphold the rigorous standards of SDYS as mandated by its mission, purpose, guiding principles and standards of quality.
• Maintain confidentiality and privacy standards of service partner protected health information and other applicable information and material in accordance to agency and center policies, and applicable regulations and laws including HIPAA.
• Welcome and support SDYS volunteers and assist them in accomplishing their services whenever applicable.
• Effectively communicate with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• Recognize, nurture, and learn from strengths in co-workers.
• Maintain warm, welcoming and safe work environments.
• Possess flexibility to accomplish job responsibilities in several work environments, whether it be from home, on the road, or in an office.
• Employment is subject to required clearances which include tuberculosis test, fingerprinting, background checks, and drug testing.

Salary Range: $230,000 – $250,000 per year

To apply, please send resume and cover letter through the job posting on the SDYS website. SDYS offers a comprehensive benefits package to full-time employees that includes generous PTO, personal holidays, health, vision, dental, life insurance, parental leave and a 403(b) retirement plan with matching contribution. SDYS is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) employer.

Equal opportunity All are welcome at San Diego Youth Services. SDYS is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. SDYS is proud to be a kindness certified company. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. In compliance with the Immigration and Nationality Act as amended, all new employees must verify their eligibility to work in the United States.