Hybrid Chief Operating Officer at Philadelphia Works Inc

Description

About Philadelphia Works, Inc.

Philadelphia Works, Inc is the City’s Workforce Development Board. We are a quasi-public, non-profit organization serving both career seekers and employers. We invest public resources in a variety of workforce solutions. These solutions connect Philadelphia residents with employment and training opportunities and help employers find, grow, and retain local talent. For more information about our dedicated board members and staff, workforce news, labor market data, services, innovative initiatives, and current opportunities to connect, please visit www.philaworks.org. 

Role Summary

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a key strategic executive leader responsible for driving all aspects of workforce development and organizational operations. Reporting directly to the President & CEO and partnering closely with senior leadership, the COO ensures the effective delivery of workforce development services in full compliance with Federal and State regulations, Board directives, and organizational policies. This role oversees organizational performance, operational standards, and policy implementation while leading the coordination of internal operations  (information technology, communications, project management)  to align with strategic priorities and long-term goals. This role serves as a driving force in advancing the organization’s mission, ensuring operational excellence, and positioning the organization for sustainable impact.

Key responsibilities of the role include:

· Driving operational excellence across workforce development programs, research and data analysis, and internal operations.

· Overseeing programmatic and operational budgets in collaboration with Finance, ensuring fiscal accountability and alignment with organizational priorities.

· Leading the design and implementation of systems, processes, and services that enable best-in-class workforce development outcomes.

 · Oversee the organization’s information technology and communications functions, ensuring secure, efficient, and innovative systems and strategies that support operational excellence, data-driven decision-making, and effective internal/external communications.

· Directing an organizational structure, systems, and staff to carry out the work of the organization and workforce strategies effectively.

· Partnering with the executive team to design and execute sustainable operational infrastructure, translating operational strategy into objectives, performance measures, and results.

· Leading, coaching, and developing senior leaders and staff, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and high performance.

· Delivering timely reports and presentations on performance and activities to the CEO and Board of Directors.

· Representing the CEO and organization externally, cultivating strong relationships with stakeholders, funders, and partners.

· Managing relationships with federal, state, and local agencies overseeing funded programs and grants.

· Overseeing procurement, provider selection, contracting, and negotiations for specialized services.

· In collaboration with Compliance, ensuring full adherence to monitoring, audits, and evaluations to safeguard program quality and continuity.

Requirements

Education/Professional Experience

Master’s degree (preferred) from an accredited college or university in Business, Public Administration or related field and at least 10 years of progressive management experience, with a minimum of 5 years in a senior leadership role. Must have experience with engaging a Board of Directors and providing leadership across an organization. Workforce Development experience preferred. 

Or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. 

Skills and Qualifications

· Proven expertise in project management, strategic planning, and organizational leadership

· Strong business and financial acumen with the ability to align operations, financial management, and strategy to drive organizational growth

· Skilled at strategic thinking, open to new perspectives, creative, visionary, and effective at managing innovation well

· Ability to read, analyze, and interpret federal, state, and local rules and regulations, financial reports, and legal documents

· Capacity to work productively and contribute in a cross-functional team structure

· Skilled at building relationships that engender trust with and among external partners and stakeholders

· Ability to oversee and direct key projects, processes, performance reports, data and analysis

· Solid understanding of data analysis and performance metrics for organizational decision making

· Knowledge of Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) regulations (preferably experience with both), and other federal and state funding sources

· Demonstrated ability to develop, implement, and manage programs

· Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal skills with the ability to interact effectively with all levels of staff, subcontractors, vendors, and government agencies

· Excellent public speaking and presentation skills

· Excellent leadership skills with the ability to coach senior-level staff, manage and develop high-performance teams, and foster a high-performance culture of accountability, collaboration, and innovation

· Strong relationship builder and communicator with experience leading diverse work teams, developing an organization-wide strategy for program excellence, engaging internal and external stakeholders, community partners, and partnering with the CEO and board of directors

What We Offer

Philadelphia Works offers qualifying full-time employees a competitive benefits program including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), tuition assistance, life insurance, and disability. We also offer company-paid vacation, personal, and sick leave days.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Philadelphia Works is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex (including sexual orientation, transgender status, and gender identity or expression), pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions), physical or mental disability, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), veteran status, uniformed servicemember status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws, in all matters pertaining to recruitment, selection, compensation, training, advancement and promotion, retention, discipline, and termination.