CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

ABOUT HUNGER FREE COLORADO

Hunger Free Colorado (HFC), a statewide nonprofit organization, connects people to food resources to meet existing needs and drives policy, systems and social change to end hunger. As the state's leading anti-hunger advocacy organization, Hunger Free Colorado is dedicated to achieving a future in which all Coloradans have equitable access to the nutritious food needed to thrive and reach their full potential.

Over the last two years HFC's direct community assistance and policy/system change work has brought in more than $240 million in food resources for families who were struggling to put healthy food on the table. In addition, HFC has built vital partnerships and provided capacity-building support to more than 100 grassroots organizations across the state, including many specifically led by and serving the Latinx immigrant community. The organization is committed to achieving racial, economic and food justice and seeks employees who share these values.

POSITION OVERVIEW. (SEE CANDIDATE PROFILE)

Hunger Free Colorado is seeking a creative and strategic Chief Operating Officer (COO) to lead the organization forward in its journey to be an equity-centered, anti-racist organization that can successfully achieve its bold mission of ending hunger in Colorado. With an operating budget of $7M and more than 40 talented team members, Hunger Free Colorado has seen rapid growth over the past few years. Going forward, the organization seeks to center directly-impacted communities in shaping services and leading policy and systems change.

In this newly created position, the COO is a visionary leader who works collaboratively to develop systems and practices that address the interplay between food insecurity and systemic racism. Leading the organization in its culture building and JEDI principles, the COO will lead staff collaborations to ingrain equitable and just practices into every aspect of the organization; from internal processes and decision-making, to building leadership pathways and elevating marginalized viewpoints.

The COO will oversee the organization's operations, collaborate with staff and stakeholders to build a supportive and inclusive organizational culture, and create more opportunities to center community voice and leadership in shaping programs and perspectives. The COO will have high-level oversight of, and overall responsibility for all internal operations, including human resources, information technology, data analysis and finance.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Organizational Leadership

• Lead efforts to become an anti-racist organization that intentionally works to dismantle elements of white supremacist culture and pursue institutional, systems and policy change to overturn the legacy of systemic racism.
• Lead organization-wide team and culture-building that is rooted in relationships and organizational values, developing values-based community agreements to guide group and one-on-one interactions.
• Provide strategic leadership on HFC initiatives, including regular assessments of future opportunities and challenges.
• Oversee equity and anti-racist organization-wide work, as well as work within each department.
• Create and implement organization-wide models for meeting facilitation.
• Oversee budgetary planning and cost management in alignment with HFC's strategy and priorities.
• Ensure transparency and ongoing communication throughout the organization to maintain awareness of strategic goals and cross-department collaboration.
• Serve as a representative to the Board of Directors, partners, donors, employees, legislative bodies, and the general public.
• Manage the Senior Manager of HR: Oversee and support the development and implementation of equity-centered HR policies and practices.

Human Resources & Staff Management

• Strive to improve staff morale and culture, updating operations, policies, processes and organizational practices to create a space where staff want to work and feel valued.
• Oversee and support the development of a cross-departmental, project-based work approach, providing training and guidance as needed.
• Oversee and support development and implementation of best practices in supervision, professional and leadership development, and performance management across the organization.
• Model and provide support and guidance for having challenging conversations (large group, small group and one-on-one) rooted in a trauma-informed approach.
• Have regular meetings with each Director to provide coaching and support around performance management and staff support, as well as the development of an equity-centered culture and approach.

Operations & Quality Assurance

• Partner with the CEO who oversees organizing, policy, communications, client services, and development to ensure all departments seamlessly integrate to support organizational activities, goals and values.
• Collaborate with the senior leadership team, staff, board and external stakeholders to gain insight and problem solve.
• Directly supervise the following team members within the Operations department, overseeing the creation and successful implementation of their work plans:
  • Director of Finance and Operations: Oversee and support the budget development process and integration of equity within operations
  • Senior Data Analyst and Evaluation Specialist: Oversee and support the development of an evaluation and learning process that is equity-centered at every level, individual, department, and project-based work
  • Senior Database Administrator: Oversee and support the effective use of Salesforce and other IT tools to support organizational goals and operations

QUALIFICATIONS

• At least 5 years of experience supervising and managing staff, including developing workplans, providing feedback, guidance, and training, and seeking and offering opportunities for professional development.
• Experience leading programs based upon core values that are consistent with justice, equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Expertise in change management, team leadership and promoting staff learning and well-being.
• Demonstrated success in creating and implementing a strategic plan, as well as forming strong community partnerships.'
• Experience building strong, collaborative, people-focused, equity-centered, values-based organizational culture and structures.
• Exceptional people management skills, including the demonstrated ability to train and support others in developing those skills.
• Experienced in developing a learning and self-development organizational culture. Very skilled at, and thrives on, building strong one-on-one relationships with team members.
• Passionate about, and expert in, team building, including through exceptional meeting facilitation skills.
• Provide guidance around professional and leadership development, including training opportunities and pathways.
• Commitment to, and expertise in, equity-centered and anti-racist practices.
• Experienced in the oversight of organizational operations and implementing organization-wide policies.
• Strong intersectional analysis of how structural racism, classism, and gender discrimination contribute to hunger and poverty.
• Passion for and experience working in social justice, equity and/or human services advocacy.
• Ability to work in a variety of community-based settings with individuals from various races, backgrounds, cultures, political and religious views.
• A deep understanding of the intersection between internal organizational culture work, programs that promote justice, and the systemic barriers that cause inequities in access to public benefits

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Salary range for this position is $101,990-$123,625, depending on qualifications and experience. Hunger Free Colorado offers an exceptional benefits package including an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), holidays, paid time off, retirement plans, and insurance. This position is based in Colorado and will operate in a hybrid fashion, primarily remote through Microsoft Office platforms, but also in-person in Denver.

Hunger Free Colorado is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and equitable work environment and we strongly encourage you to apply if you are part of the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) and/or LGBTQIA community, are differently abled, a veteran, or are of diverse nationality or religion.

Hunger Free Colorado expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.

Envision Consulting was retained by Hunger Free Colorado to conduct the search for their incoming Chief Operating Officer.

Applicants needing accommodation for any part of the application process may contact Envision Consulting at 626.889.7905 to request and arrange for assistance.