Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Job Description

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) of The Pontifical Missions Societies USA (TPMS) serves as a key executive leader responsible for the effective operational management of TPMS in alignment with its Catholic mission and the vision communicated by its National Director (CEO) and Board.

This is a new position intended to increase the organization's impact and coordination. The COO will allow the National Director to prioritize relationships with diocesan bishops, benefactors, and other stakeholders and accept media and speaking opportunities in order to increase awareness and foster greater participation in the financial and prayerful support of the missions (i.e. the 1,124 dioceses and missionary territories throughout the world where the Church is too new, too small or too poor to sustain themselves).

The COO reports to the National Director and has six direct reports: Chief Financial Officer, VP of Advancement & Development, VP of Communications & Marketing, VP of Information Technology, VP of Regions (Diocesan Relations) and Director of Human Resources. Overall, TPMS has 25+ team members.

The COO must work principally in either of TPMS' offices: St. Petersburg, FL (preferred) or New York City. If based out of New York, time each week in the St. Petersburg office would be required. Some travel (including international) is required.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Mission Integration, Strategic Planning & Goal Setting
Serve as a strategic partner to the National Director (ND) and support the ND's strategic vision
Translate the ND's vision into actionable operational initiatives
Ensure operations and policies authentically express Catholic teachings and values
Coordinate TPMS' annual planning process and work with CFO on the budgeting process
Ensure proper resource allocation among all TPMS initiatives & priorities
Monitor progress of all initiatives and make necessary adjustments

Senior Leadership Team Management
Coordinate senior leadership team meetings and activities
Lead significant organizational initiatives and partnerships
Set and approve annual goals, priorities, plans for all direct reports and agree to adjustments
Meet weekly one-on-one with all direct reports, utilizing information learned to foster greater alignment and coordination across all departments and initiatives
Ensure the National Director is well informed of all key developments and needed decisions
Ensure all organizational decisions and their rationale are accessibly documented
Document and report achievements across the organization
Coordinate senior leadership team's reports to the Board and staffing of board committees
Ensure communication and collaboration processes work effectively

Operational Leadership
Establish operational goals, plans and performance metrics aligned with the organization's mission
Oversee daily operations and ensure efficient functioning of all departments
Develop and implement organizational policies and procedures that reflect Catholic values
Ensure TPMS calendar for events, meetings, and reports aligns with TPMS priorities and strategic plan
Manage office leases, facilities, technology infrastructure, and organizational resources
Approve vendor contracts and scope of work and lead regular vendor reviews
Ensure compliance with relevant laws, public charity regulations and best practices, policies, canon law and organizational statutes
Review operational processes and implement improvements to increase efficiency and the use of best practices
Assess and mitigate operational risks, including legal compliance, financial stability, and cybersecurity
Attend national meetings of diocesan directors of TPMS and, on occasion, regional meetings.

Financial Management
Ensure responsible stewardship of organizational resources
Collaborate with the VP of Advancement and Development to ensure TPMS is on-track to meet revenue goals and to measure mission impact and program effectiveness
Collaborate with the CFO to ensure financial stability through good budgeting, spending oversight and investment of the endowment
Collaborate with the CFO and VP of IT to ensure strong risk management and cybersecurity programs, and appropriate business insurance coverage
Approve budget changes, additional expenses, and new initiative budgets
Approve cash management adjustments up to established thresholds
Approve invoices and extraordinary expenses up to established thresholds
Review and approve expense reports for senior staff

Care for the TPMS Team
Foster a positive workplace culture, rooted in TPMS' mission, Catholic social teaching and strong collaboration
Collaborate with the HR Director on hiring, training, and professional development processes
Monitor the overall health of the team and work environment, in collaboration with the HR Director
Approve organizational policies, performance evaluations, handbook updates, and employee surveys
Ensure all team members have clear expectations and understanding of how their work helps TPMS fulfill its important mission
Provide mentorship and coaching, particularly in areas of productivity, management, and leadership
Ensure all new hires meet TPMS' high standards
Convene employee all staff meetings and strengthen internal communication processes

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Experience and Skills
Bachelor's degree in management or related field (Master's preferred)
10+ years of leadership experience of an organization or large department, preferably with some in non-profit or Catholic organizations
10+ years of experience leading teams, including with senior leaders of departments outside of the candidate's own functional area(s) of expertise
Demonstrated ability to align operations with mission and values
Proven track record in operational management and process improvement
Excellent leadership, communication and interpersonal skills, and high emotional intelligence
Strong financial acumen and budget management experience
Advanced knowledge and demonstrated use of technology to make operations effective and efficient
Demonstrated decision-making ability with examples of wisdom and good judgment
Strong time-management skills and ability to deliver initiatives on or ahead of schedule through good and varied ways of helping team members meet deadlines
Strong communication and initiation skills
Demonstrated ability to handle confidential information
Must have dependable transportation, as well as a valid driver's license
Willingness to work evenings and weekends, as required

Faith-Based Requirements
Practicing Catholic of mature faith, in good standing with the Church
Deep understanding of and commitment to TPMS' mission and Catholic teaching
Ability to articulate how Catholic principles and values inform operational decisions
Familiarity with diocesan structures and Church governance

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
Pay Range: Commensurate with experience
Medical, Dental, Vision, and Prescription coverage
403(b) retirement plan including employer match
Generous paid time off

APPLICATION PROCESS
Interested applicants should send a cover letter, resume, and three references to COOsearch@pontificalmissions.org.

THE PONTIFICAL MISSION SOCIETIES USA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The Pontifical Mission Societies USA ("TPMS") is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. TPMS strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including pregnancy), gender, marital status, age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. All TPMS employees, other workers, and representatives are prohibited from engaging in unlawful discrimination. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, training, promotion, discipline, compensation, benefits, and termination of employment.

TPMS complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as amended by the ADA Amendments Act, the Florida Civil Rights Act of 1992, and all applicable state or local law. Consistent with those requirements, TPMS will reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with a disability if such accommodation would allow the individual to perform the essential functions of the job, unless doing so would create an undue hardship.

As a Catholic organization recognized by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, TPMS reserves the right under Federal law (42 U.S.C.A 2000e-2(e)) and Florida law (Fla. Stat. 760.10(10)) to hire those of the Catholic faith for positions where practice and knowledge of the Catholic faith, its tenets and beliefs, are necessary for the work required. Further, TPMS retains the ability to hire employees whose lifestyle upholds the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.

About the Employer

The Pontifical Mission Societies (TPMS) are a worldwide network at the service of the Pope that supports the missions and the Young Churches with prayer and charity. These include the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, the Society of St. Peter the Apostle, the Missionary Childhood Association (MCA) and the Missionary Union of Priests and Religious.