Chief Operating Officer

Essential Speech and ABA Therapy is a multi-state provider and franchisor dedicated to delivering high-quality early intervention services to children with autism. Founded by speech-language pathologists and built on collaboration, our clinics offer Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Speech Therapy, and Occupational Therapy under one roof. We believe in raising the standard of care while empowering entrepreneurs through franchising. Our mission is to increase access to life-changing therapy while maintaining a family-oriented, values-driven environment. Our Core Values Excellence in Care: We strive to be the gold standard in early intervention. Integrity: We do what’s right, even when it’s hard. Empathy: We lead with compassion for our clients, families, franchisees, and staff. Collaboration: We believe the best outcomes happen when we work together. Role Summary The COO will oversee all day-to-day operations across the company, ensuring excellence at both corporate clinic sites and franchise locations. This leader will drive accountability, build systems that scale, support and grow managers and franchisees, and protect the integrity of the brand. The COO must balance operational discipline with adaptability, bringing a mix of industry knowledge, people leadership, and strategic execution. This is a hybrid position with the flexibility to work remotely while also spending about half of your time on-site at our clinics and franchise locations to connect with teams and ensure operational excellence. Key Metrics for COO Success Financial health of the organization (corporate and franchise: revenue, margins, KPIs) Client outcomes and satisfaction across all locations Staff retention, engagement, and satisfaction Franchisee performance, compliance, and satisfaction with support Growth milestones (new clinics, new franchisees, scalability) Strength and consistency of internal systems, trainings, and processes Visibility and engagement across both remote and on-site settings, ensuring consistent leadership presence Responsibilities Leadership & Oversight Directly oversee the operations team, including corporate Operations Managers and franchise support Directors. Hire, train, develop, and hold leaders accountable across the organization. Conduct regular performance reviews with an emphasis on leadership, accountability, and alignment with standards. Act as the final escalation point for significant operational concerns, providing direction and solutions. Operational & Financial Performance Review and analyze monthly KPI reports across all locations: financial performance, staffing ratios, client census, RBT supervision, parent training, and skills mastery. Identify underperforming locations and drive improvement plans with managers and franchisees. Ensure consistency and accountability to clinical, operational, and financial standards. Oversee startup and growth milestones, holding teams accountable for timelines and deliverables. Training & Development Lead training and development programs for franchise owners, managers, and operations leaders. Deliver ongoing education on leadership, compliance, financial management, and operational excellence. Conduct quarterly sessions for owners and managers on compliance updates, growth strategies, and best practices. Systems & Innovation Identify gaps in systems, trainings, and processes, and create scalable solutions. Oversee refinement of startup guides, owner and staff playbooks, and training resources. Plan and implement system changes to improve efficiency and consistency. Stay current on ABA and healthcare changes to ensure compliance and best practices. Evaluate external innovations (including AI and other technologies) for adoption when beneficial. Culture, Policies & Crisis Management Uphold brand standards and company culture across all locations. Support managers and franchisees during crises: parent complaints, staff incidents, licensing issues, or legal risks. Maintain and enforce crisis management protocols for communication and escalation. Conduct regular safety audits and risk reviews to protect staff and clients. Foster a culture of accountability, empathy, and continuous improvement. Ideal Candidate Profile Core Work Ethic & Commitment Hardworking, driven, and resilient — sets the pace for others without burning out. Invested in the long-term mission of the company, not just their own role. Leadership & People Management Outgoing and approachable — builds rapport easily with staff, franchisees, and stakeholders. People-centered — genuinely cares about relationships while balancing accountability. Strong in conflict management — de-escalates, delivers tough feedback, and keeps morale intact. Empathetic but firm — earns respect as a leader, not just a support role. Temperament & Emotional Intelligence Level-headed under pressure — avoids knee-jerk reactions. Diplomatic — navigates sensitive conversations with professionalism. Decisive — makes timely calls with confidence and clarity. Execution & Problem-Solving Analytical and practical — uses data and systems to drive improvements. Adaptable — adjusts quickly to unexpected changes or crises. Innovative — evaluates new ideas and implements those that strengthen operations. Experience Multi-site operations leadership in ABA, healthcare, or related industries strongly preferred. Proven ability to manage managers and develop high-performing teams. Background in franchising, compliance-heavy industries, or healthcare operations a plus.

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