Chief Operating Officer

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Chief Operating Officer based in United States. The Chief Operating Officer will serve as a strategic partner to the CEO and a key member of the executive leadership team. This role will oversee critical enterprise functions including Finance, People & Culture, and Legal/Business Affairs. The position is responsible for building scalable operating systems, strengthening governance, and improving organizational effectiveness. The successful leader will translate strategic priorities into clear operating plans, performance metrics, and execution rhythms. This is a high-impact builder role for an executive who can bring structure and accountability without creating unnecessary bureaucracy. You will work closely with senior leaders, the Board, and cross-functional teams in a complex, globally oriented environment. The role offers an opportunity to shape organizational growth while supporting a mission focused on innovation, breakthrough solutions, and meaningful global impact. Lead the design, integration, and continuous improvement of enterprise operating models across Finance, Legal/Business Affairs, and People & Culture. Establish scalable systems, policies, processes, decision rights, accountability structures, and performance expectations as the organization grows in size and complexity. Translate strategic priorities into executable operating plans, organizational metrics, reporting rhythms, and measurable outcomes. Provide executive oversight of financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, cash-flow management, long-range financial modeling, and organizational performance reporting. Partner with Finance leadership to ensure strong internal controls, audit readiness, regulatory compliance, and clear financial insights for executive and Board decision-making. Oversee People & Culture strategy, including talent acquisition and development, compensation, performance management, succession planning, organizational design, and culture evolution. Guide Legal and Business Affairs activities covering contracts, leases, intellectual property considerations, regulatory compliance, insurance, risk management, and vendor oversight. Partner with the CEO, executive team, and Board committees on governance, risk, financial oversight, and strategic execution. Build systems for tracking organizational health, strategic progress, operational performance, and cross-functional execution. Identify and remove operational friction, strengthen collaboration across functions, and ensure resources and priorities remain aligned with organizational objectives. Lead, coach, and develop senior operational leaders while fostering a culture of ownership, clarity, accountability, and continuous improvement. Provide calm, decisive leadership during periods of rapid growth, organizational change, ambiguity, or heightened operational complexity. Requirements 15+ years of progressive senior leadership experience, including significant responsibility for enterprise operations and organizational oversight. Demonstrated experience scaling organizations in nonprofit, for-profit, hybrid, or similarly complex environments. Direct experience overseeing multiple enterprise functions, particularly Finance, Human Resources/People & Culture, and Legal or Business Affairs. Strong financial acumen, including experience with budgeting, forecasting, financial modeling, organizational metrics, and performance reporting. Experience partnering with CEOs, executive leadership teams, Boards, and Board committees. Bachelor’s degree required; an MBA or equivalent advanced degree is preferred. CPA or similar professional credential is a plus. Strong systems-thinking ability, with the capacity to understand how people, processes, technology, governance, and resources interact. Proven ability to operate effectively in ambiguous and rapidly changing environmen