Chief Operations Officer (COO)

Chief Operations Officer (COO)
JOB DESCRIPTION
FULL TIME, IN PERSON, DALLAS TX

Who We Are
United to Learn (U2L) is a Dallas-based education nonprofit with a stated mission of activating community investment to ensure educators and students thrive. At United to Learn we address opportunity gaps with research-driven, district-aligned programming across 124 Dallas ISD elementary schools. Each initiative is rooted in one of our four pillars: strengthening school culture and well-being; creating aspirational learning environments; accelerating student achievement in literacy; and activating an informed community. Learn more about the organization here.

Summary of Leadership Role and Reporting Structure
United to Learn’s Chief Operations Officer is a critical member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), sharing in the accountability for advancing U2L’s mission and programs by providing strategic guidance and shared decision-making authority related to the overall operations of the organization. The COO is responsible for all financial, accounting, investment, office management and human resources functions, in addition to being a trusted advisor to the Board and external stakeholders. The COO serves as the organization’s primary integrator, ensuring alignment between strategy, program execution, and organizational systems.

The Chief Operations Officer reports to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and has management responsibility for the Operations Department, including the Director of Finance & Operations, Director of HR, and the Office Manager.

At United to Learn, our values underpin everything we do. Together we aim to be:
● Optimistic: We believe that with the right resources all children can thrive academically.
● Nimble: We respond flexibly and creatively through active listening.
● Culturally Competent: We build a positive understanding of diverse perspectives.
● Collaborative: We respectfully and empathetically work to learn from each other and build coalitions.
● Effective: We use evidence-based practices for high-impact results.
Essential Responsibilities of COO
Strategic Vision & Execution
● Support strategic vision to drive organizational impact, aligned with key performance indicators
● Set and monitor progress toward strategic financial and organizational priorities as a member of SLT
● Demonstrate strong business acumen; adept at setting targets to drive annual performance measures
● Champion belonging across all levels of the organization
● Collaborate with SLT, as part of a collective decision making body for the organization
● Further U2L Theory of Change to align private-sector talent and investment with public school needs, keeping student
achievement as a North-Star metric
Financial Leadership & Accounting Oversight
● Direct annual budgeting and financial forecasting, including presenting to and obtaining Board approval
● Oversee all aspects of monthly & quarterly financial reporting, including payroll, P&L and balance sheet
● Monitor operating expenses to ensure compliance with annual organizational budget
● Ensure accurate and timely financial filings, including annual financial audit and IRS Form 990
● Partner with the Advancement Team to build and align long-term fundraising outlooks and financial stability
Human Resources
● Oversee administration of payroll, retirement plan contributions, health insurance enrollments and other benefits
● Manage annual compensation process, including benchmarking analysis and staffing projections
● Ensure performance management process is implemented in a timely, effective manner, providing management with
the data required for staff development and growth
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● Oversee Open Enrollment, including providing strategic guidance around and review of benefit plan options
● Guide annual discussion around organizational policies, trends and employee handbook updates, leading the
implementation of continued best-practices
● Oversee all aspects of employee life-cycle including hiring, on-boarding, training, leaves and terminations
Board and Stakeholder Relationships
● Oversee Finance and Operations Committee to the Board
● Cultivate trusted relationships with the U2L Board, public school leadership, civic influencers, nonprofit partners, and
investment community
● Serve as representative and external face of U2L to the broader community, media and stakeholder platforms
Internal Operational Leadership
● Establish high-performing, collaborative team culture that gets results by setting clear expectations, communicating
effectively and collaborating across key stakeholders
● Inspire collaborative working style among Senior Leadership Team aligned with organization’s culture
● Oversee all CRM (Salesforce) updates, enhancements and usage, with an eye toward efficiency and process
improvement.
● Support the research, management and approval of major office purchases, including technology and equipment
● Coordinate and supervise relationships with external consultants providing IT, Legal and other support services
● Foster professional growth and accountability across the organization
● Provide strategic oversight to annual insurance renewals, including business owners, D&O and EPLI
Key Outcomes
● Develop sustainable financial model aligned to organizational strategy
● Strengthen organizational health and performance management systems
● Support cross-functional planning and execution across SLT and program leaders
● Refine operational systems to support efficiency, impact, and scalable operations
Minimum Qualifications of COO
● Hold a Bachelor’s Degree and 10+ years of financial leadership, ideally in education, nonprofit, or mission-driven
environments. CPA or nonprofit financial certification preferred but not required
● Strong commitment to public education, student achievement and U2L mission, vision, and values
● Deep knowledge of nonprofit accounting and financial reporting
● Experience managing a team, working collaboratively across senior leadership and reporting to organization’s
fiduciary board
● Demonstrated ability to make data-informed strategic planning decisions
● Ability to nimbly adjust priorities and manage multiple tasks while working collaboratively with team members
● Proficient in Google Suite and Microsoft Office products including Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint as well as
Salesforce, Asana or other project management tools
● Capacity to oversee programs citywide, maintain valid driver’s license, insurance and ability to lift up to 20lbs.
● Be willing and available to enthusiastically lead and attend programming events as needed
Salary and Other Benefits
As a full-time employee, the COO will receive:
● Competitive salary plus access to insurance benefits including medical, dental and vision plans
● Participation in employer contributed retirement plan through a SIMPLE IRA Fund
● Generous holiday schedule including 6 Federal holidays plus an additional 20 holidays in accordance with Dallas ISD’s
administrative calendar during the academic school year, including Spring Break and extended holiday break
● 10 days of paid time off annually as requested throughout the year
● 7 days of sick leave per fiscal year
To apply, please email a cover letter and resume to careers@unitedtolearn.org
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