SUMMARY
Are you a visionary leader with a passion for driving operational excellence and a proven track record of leading diverse teams to achieve strategic goals? kpCompanies is leading the search for a Chief Operating Officer for the Metropolitan Economic Development Association (MEDA). The Chief Operating Officer (COO) reports directly to the President and CEO and is a key member of the Executive Team with responsibility to lead and manage a wide range of daily business operations within MEDA. Specifically, Director, Business Development, Director, Operations/Quality Assurance, Human Resources, and Director, Marketing, Communications/Public Relations.

This position functions as a Chief of Staff and plays a integral role in coordinating Board of Directors activities.

The role of this COO is critical in optimizing processes, improving productivity, and aligning resources to drive the organization’s growth and success consistent with MEDA’s strategic plan. This position ensures compliance and operational efficiency, translating long term initiatives into real-time actionable steps.

This position will initially lead and manage employees and interact with all members of the organization.

ABOUT MEDA

MEDA was founded in 1971 with the mission of Helping BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) Entrepreneurs Succeed. Our founders believed wealth creation is key to creating racial economic equity and that successful BIPOC Entrepreneurship is the clearest path to creating wealth. MEDA fulfills its mission by providing integrated, wrap-around services in the three areas all entrepreneurs need to succeed: Consulting, Capital, and Connection. In our first fifty years, MEDA has served more than 30,000 BIPOC Entrepreneurs.

The more than 30,000 BIPOC-owned businesses that have grown and thrived as MEDA’s clients and the tens of thousands of jobs MEDA has helped these businesses create and maintain are substantial evidence that proves MEDA’s theory of change: Wealth creation is an effective antidote to economic inequities, and successful BIPOC entrepreneurship is the most effective tool for building generational wealth and remains integral to creating the world we want.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Essential Functions:

Leads organization’s business resources, processes, and systems to increase overall operational efficiency and effectiveness
Partners with the President and CEO to be a liaison for the Board of Directors and all Board Committees. Serves as the staff leader for Board Committees. Coordinates new board member onboarding. Works in conjunction with the President and CEO to develop and finalize all Board Meeting agendas/meeting material. Coordinates with the Executive Assistant to the President and CEO in preparation of the annual calendars for Board and Committee meetings
Oversees development of marketing, communications, and public relations strategy. Leading MEDA services across internal and external digital media platforms
Leads the MEDA team for Corporate and Community Engagements
Responsible for developing and leading the overall human capital and talent development strategy, including management of recruitment, compensation, employee benefits, employee relations, payroll, professional development program, and performance management processes
Drives the organization’s strategic and tactical business plans to ensure the delivery of key business metrics
Chairs the 403(b) Advisory Committee, establishing meeting schedules and plan discussions
Oversees Business Operations including, Risk Management, Procurement and Vendors
Management/Relations. Facilitates sessions with Chief of Lending and VP of Finance commensurate with the Strategic Plan
Fund Development. Oversees coordination of fund development activity.
Coordinates closely with CFO/VP of Finance to ensure Procurement process compliance

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Below are some of the typical requirements for a Chief Operating Officer. We recognize that skill sets can be a complex combination of experiences. Even if your background does not exactly match these requirements but you have a passion for our work, we would love to hear from you and we recognize the value of transferable skills.

Education:

Required: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Organizational Development, or related field.
Desired: MBA

Experience:

Minimum of 10 (ten) years of professional leadership experience of which at least 5 (five) years of executive and senior leadership is required, with a proven record of business growth and success
Demonstrated success in managing multiple areas of a business operation including Business Development, Fundraising, Administration (security/facilities) Vendor Management, Human Resources and Marketing/Communications
Banking operations experience is preferred
Experience working with Board of Directors is required
Experience in both nonprofit and corporate environments is preferred
Ability to represent the organization at all levels within the community, government and institutions
Ability to communicate internally and externally with all levels including key external stakeholders

Other required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

This job operates in an office setting and is primarily a sedentary role. Travel is primarily local; however, some travel may be expected. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Highly ethical with high-level standards
Demonstrated Leader of People
Demonstrated Leader of Strategy
Demonstrated Leader in Operational efficiency
Ability to develop sound departmental budgets and execute within established budgets
Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment.
Demonstrated Business and Financial Acumen
Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, adaptable, good listener

EQUITY + SALARY DISCLOSURE
Salary Range: $175,000 - $185,000

We believe in practices that create real equity and pay parity regardless of background or identity and we freely discuss compensation with all qualified candidates the first time we interview them. Saving the salary discussion for the first conversation allows us to fully understand the needs of each candidate and to ensure that qualified candidates, even those who’ve historically been overlooked and/or underpaid, don’t self-select out of the processes based on salary alone, as our experience and research suggest. In addition to those who opt out, because they fear the salary may be out of reach for them, we equally don’t want to miss out on conversations with candidates who are slightly over the range when in some cases the total compensation including factors such as bonuses, flexibility, and better health benefits, etc. may exceed expectations. Finally, as a search firm – we are always looking for top-notch talent to introduce to our clients. Should the salary or any other requirement not be fit, there is often a chance that someone on our team is working on another position you may be a better fit for. If you would like to discuss your qualifications for this role as well as discuss salary and compensation - just give us a call, and we’d be happy to discuss!

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
MEDA and kpCompanies are equal opportunity employers and all employees and applicants for employment are afforded equal opportunity in every area of hiring and employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity, age, disability, mental illness, sexual harassment, sexual orientation, genetics, military/veteran status, citizenship, arrest record, and any other legally protected characteristic.

All submissions are received in the strictest confidence.