Position Summary: The Chief Operating Officer (COO) will work closely with and provide strategic financial and operating guidance to the Chief Executive Officer. The COO will be responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations and core administrative functions at After School Matters. To accomplish this work, this individual will lead a team of senior leaders – coaching them to be more strategic, productive, and effective in their individual roles and collectively as a team. The Chief Operating Officer is responsible for the smooth and efficient operation of After School Matters, support functions, including purchasing, warehouse and facilities management, and information technology. The COO will supervise the Chief Financial Officer, Chief Implementation Officer and Senior Director of Facilities.

The successful candidate will be a distinguished leader with a deep commitment to the mission of After School Matters. They will have a proven track record in guiding organizations through growth and transformation, leveraging resources, and identifying potential risks. The Chief Operating Officer will bring high intellectual capacity, credibility, and a pragmatic, energetic, hands-on approach to their work. They must demonstrate strong strategic thinking, high emotional intelligence, and situational awareness. This leader will be mission-driven and passionate about serving the diverse needs of the After School Matters community.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

The duties and responsibilities of the Chief Operating Officer fall into these major categories: Operations of the organization, including:

Finance
Facilities
Operations
IT
Procurement
A major project to be completed in 2026 is to create a procurement system and maintain it in the future

Oversee the operational aspects of major partnerships and projects in collaboration with the CEO, Chief of Strategy and Staff, Chief Program Officer, and Program Deputies.

Operations & Facilities Leadership

Oversee all aspects of the After School Matters real estate portfolio, including deferred maintenance, general improvements, renovations, acquisitions, and short and long-term facilities planning
In collaboration with the CFO and Sr. Director of Facilities, develop a plan for capital improvements to ASM facilities
Partner with the CEO and Real Estate Task Force to maintain portfolio of ventures that meet future programmatic and/or administrative needs
Negotiate leases
Provide broad leadership of the information technology department, ensuring compliance, safety, and security
Ensure departmental and organizational alignment around key operational functions at ASM, including program operations, people & culture, legal and risk management
Create a procurement system for ASM
Develop a plan for revenue producing income throughout the organization, evaluate the following: buildings, professional development, and all other possibilities
Work through the Executive and leadership teams to reduce costs, achieve effective utilization, develop quality goals and objectives and analyze data to develop and support management decisions
Manage all aspects of Information and Technology, including strategy, architecture, operations, security and support
Establish continuous improvement protocol(s) focused on using information and Technology as a competitive advantage
Develop and implement policies and procedures to support efficient and timely deployment of organizational resources, including equipment, and other items needed to successfully operate programs and other divisions
Implement an organization wide strategy for facilities management and support for ASM spaces, including Gallery 37, the Lutz Center, Gately Park, and the new ASM at Orleans location

Financial Sustainability & Leadership Development

Oversee all finance and operations functions, building a highly inclusive and collaborative culture that ensures team members thrive while organizational goals get met
Work with direct reports to deliver on strategic and operating priorities for each department
Partner with the CFO in financial planning, reporting, and long-term sustainability
Provide hands-on mentorship and leadership development to the CFO, including banking/financial partnerships, board relations, debt strategy and team development
Collaborate with the CEO, Board Leadership, and Executive Team to ensure alignment between financial planning and the ASM mission
Collaborate with the CEO and Chief of Strategy & Staff to align and set strategic and operating priorities to incorporate into the After School Matters annual operating budget
Develop a plan for the investment portfolio
Maintain a fundraising portfolio

Board Relations & Strategic Partnerships

Collaborate with the CFO to set agendas and prepare for three Board committees: Audit, Finance, and Investments
Serve as leader for the Board Real Estate Task Force, setting agendas and hosting meetings as needed
Work with CEO, Chief of Strategy and Staff, and Chief Development Officer on Board engagement, leadership, and succession planning
Foster and develop working relationships with Board members, leveraging expertise and resources to benefit After School Matters
Develop strategic partnerships with donors, Board members, corporations, and government entities that create financial and/or operational benefit to After School Matters
Build a strong relationship with CHA, Chicago Park District, City of Chicago, CPS, and City Colleges
Step into any role that is temporarily vacant, as assigned by the CEO
Other duties as assigned

Skills & Experiences:

Significant executive leadership, gained in the private and/or public sectors
Proven track record of leading strategic finance and business operations, with the ability to drive big-picture vision while overseeing day-to-day operations
A strong people leader and manager with experience developing teams, setting goals, and ensuring accountability
Strong presentation skills and ability to translate technical financial and operational concepts to a variety of audiences
Experience fostering a vibrant, impact-driven operating culture that promotes and delivers excellence in performance and impact
Outstanding leadership skills and experience in managing teams and developing senior leaders; a natural listener and developer of people
Demonstrated ability to diagnose problems quickly, foresee emerging issues, and outline a range of potential solutions for consideration

Qualifications:

MBA required
Minimum of 7-10 years of senior leadership experience in financial and operations management; experience at a not-for-profit organization preferred
Experience with finance, technology and facilities oversight is strongly preferred

Salary: $180,276 – $202,810

About Us: After School Matters is a Chicago-based nonprofit organization that annually offers after-school and summer programs to nearly 19,000 Chicago high school teens to explore and develop their talents while gaining critical skills that will set them up for success in college and beyond.

ASM has engaged more than 400,000 Chicago teens and is the nation’s largest and most successful provider of after-school and summer programs for high school teens.

ASM offers paid apprenticeships led by professionals in the fields of arts, communications and leadership, sports, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). Our nationally respected youth development model has been replicated in cities across the country and earned us the City Livability Award from the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

Programs take place at community locations throughout the city, including three ASM buildings: downtown at Gallery 37 Center for the Arts, the Michael and Karyn Lutz Center in Belmont Cragin, and the Pullman community at Gately Park. Currently, After School Matters’ annual operating budget is approximately $35M and employs approximately 500 staff across the organization.

EEO: After School Matters is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, military discharge status, age, marital status, parental status, or source of income.

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Chief Operating Officer