Chief Operating Officer

About SPUR

SPUR is a nonprofit public policy organization focused on the San Francisco Bay Area. Through research, education, and advocacy, SPUR works to create an equitable, sustainable, and prosperous region, where all people thrive. We bring people together from across the political spectrum to develop solutions to the big problems cities face. With offices in San Francisco, San José, and Oakland, we are recognized as a leading civic planning organization and respected for our independent and holistic approach to urban issues.

The Opportunity

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) holds primary responsibility for the operational success of SPUR, ensuring that the organization’s business plan aligns with its vision and mission, through its operations.  The COO provides strategic direction and operational oversight for SPUR’s financial, human resources, communications, and public engagement functions and works closely with SPUR’s fundraising team for business plan development and execution. This position reports to the President & CEO and is a member of SPUR’s senior leadership team. 

The ideal candidate will be well-versed in all aspects of business operations and experienced in strategic planning. They will be a competent leader able to provide guidance that enhances performance in a manner consistent with the organization's vision and culture.

The COO directly manages SPUR’s Communications, Engagement, Finance, and HR staff, and oversees contractors that support SPUR’s Finance function, building management, and recruitment efforts. In addition, the COO works closely with the CEO to implement their vision for organizational change and growth, operationalizing these in order to drive the organization forward, and will have a rotating set of projects in their portfolio. The COO is an important thought partner to the President & CEO on issues of business and financial planning, organizational design and internal management, as well as operational strategies for external effectiveness. 

This is a job for someone who has a deep understanding of aligning financial strategies to mission; excellent organizational management and relational skills; a keen strategic mind; an assets-based approach to organizational development; and a high degree of competency in operationalizing goals and strategies. As with all leadership roles at SPUR, this is also a job for a “do-er” – someone who gains professional satisfaction from getting the job done at the highest possible level. We are seeking candidates who can lead with curiosity and have a strong ability to problem solve. The candidate will be a connector and group oriented, with an ability to set culture and tone for the organization.

Core Responsibilities

• In collaboration with senior leadership, develop and manage the organization’s business plan, including its revenue and expense strategies
• Work closely with the fundraising team to support revenue strategy execution
• Inform organizational work plans to ensure business plan and mission alignment 
• Develop and implement mechanisms to assess SPUR’s impact and competitiveness
• Directly manage and ensure the effectiveness of SPUR’s business operations, recommending and implementing improvements as appropriate
• Manage SPUR’s communications and engagement functions, ensuring each maximizes SPUR’s ability to achieve its policy and fundraising goals
• Supervise human resources operations, such as training, employee development, and salary administration, and participate directly in recruitment
• Produce and analyze financial documents, statements, and reports to assess how the organization is performing against its financial targets and to identify and resolve risks
• Ensure that the organization has adequate and suitable resources to achieve its mission
• Organize and coordinate operations in ways that ensure maximum productivity
• Supervise the work of employees and provide feedback and counsel to improve efficiency and effectiveness
• Gather, analyze and interpret external and internal data to make strategic decisions
• Assess overall organizational performance against objectives
• Ensure organizational compliance with relevant laws and standards
• Oversee building management 
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with stakeholders
• Steward relevant committees of SPUR’s Board of Directors, including Finance, Audit, and Investment

 Requirements & Skills

• 10 plus years of work experience
• Proven experience in a leadership role, preferably as a business manager or equivalent
• Excellent organizational and leadership skills
• Excellent problem solving skills
• Strong financial management skills
• Effective written and verbal communication and strong interpersonal abilities
• Thorough understanding of diverse business processes and strategy development
• Communications experience preferred
• MBA or nonprofit equivalent preferred though not required

Benefits

The salary range for this position is $175,000-$200,000 and will be based on experience and commensurate with skills and qualifications. This is a full-time, exempt position. SPUR offers a generous and comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, dental insurance, vision care, basic life insurance, pre-tax commuter benefits, work from home stipend, employee assistance program (EAP), 6 months of paid maternity & paternity leave and retirement plan with twenty-five percent contribution matching.

Hybrid Work Environment

At SPUR the health of our employees and their families is our top priority. SPUR has a hybrid workplace model defined by a combination of remote and in-person work. We have mandatory all-staff in-person days on Monday and Wednesday, and staff will be required to attend other in-person meetings, events, and programs around the Bay Area region as needed. All policies are subject to change.

Equal Opportunity Employer

SPUR is an equal opportunity employer with a strong organizational commitment to respecting differences of all kinds. SPUR prohibits unlawful discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, political orientation or disability or any other basis prohibited by law. In that spirit, we strongly encourage applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, LGBTQ applicants and others that will contribute to the diversity of our staff.

Applicants With Disabilities

Reasonable accommodations will be made so that qualified disabled applicants may participate in the application process. Please advise in writing of special needs at the time of application.

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so assigned.