Chief Operating Officer

Description

The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) islooking for a Chief Operating Officer who knows how to listen carefully, decide confidently, and help our mission-driven organization stay focused on what matters most.

Our President & CEO is an empathetic and collaborative leader who deeply values input and perspective across the organization. Due to a retirement this summer, we are restructuring a position that will now function as a COO. A COO who’s a strategic partner - someone who can synthesize diverse viewpoints, cut through complexity, and make timely, well-informed decisions that move the organization forward.

This full-time, 100% remote role offers the opportunity to serve as a highly impactful right hand to the CEO, partnering closely to translate vision into action while strengthening execution, alignment, and organizational focus.

Please note: This position may close early based on applicant volume. We strongly encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible to ensure consideration.

What you’ll do

The COO plays a critical role in helping the CEO step out of day-to-day operational decision-making, filtering information, driving execution, and ensuring the organization remains focused, aligned, and effective while maintaining a culture rooted in collaboration, respect, and shared purpose. NACE is complex in its operations and offerings; as such, each day will look a little different, but you can expect to do the following:

Strategic Execution & Decision-Making

• Translate strategic priorities into clear plans, aligned goals, and accountable execution
• Gather input from diverse stakeholders, synthesize perspectives, and make timely, well-informed decisions
• Serve as a trusted thought partner to the CEO, helping prioritize issues and determine next steps
• Ensure that our content creation is leveraged fully across the organization to drive maximum member benefit and to drive additional attention and revenue

Operational Leadership

• Oversee core organizational operations and lead multiple department heads (6 direct reports)
• Drive cross-functional coordination and help streamline decision-making across the organization
• Strengthen processes, performance metrics, and systems that support clarity and execution

Board & Executive Engagement

• Partner with the CEO in preparing materials and presentations for the Board of Directors
• Present to and engage with the Board as appropriate on operational performance and organizational priorities; and represent the CEO at meetings and presentations with external stakeholders.

People & Culture

• Lead with high emotional intelligence, balancing empathy with clarity and accountability
• Support, coach, and develop senior leaders while reinforcing a collaborative, mission-aligned culture

Organizational Growth & Stability

• Identifying opportunities for evolution and improvement and lead change management efforts
• Support long-term sustainability, scalability, and impact across programs, partnerships, and initiatives

What you need to thrive in this role

• Bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree a plus
• 10+ years of senior or executive leadership experience with broad operational oversight
• Background in associations, higher education, workforce development, events, or other mission‑driven, program‑based organizations strongly preferred
• Proven ability to lead multi‑functional teams and drive organization‑wide strategy from planning through execution
• Experience overseeing complex portfolios that may include programs, marketing, communications, partnerships, and revenue‑generating initiatives
• Strong financial acumen with demonstrated success in operational management and performance oversight
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing and presenting to executive audiences and Boards of Directors
• High emotional intelligence with a leadership style rooted in collaboration, clarity, accountability, and trust‑building
• Willingness and ability to travel for multi‑day trips approximately 4–8 times per year

About NACE

The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) are committed to making a difference in the lives of the members we serve and the populations that are directly impacted by our members’ work. Our members are responsible for the career development of college students on their campuses and the hiring of the next generation of the workforce. It is critically important to the future of the profession that our members understand and engage in leading practices effectively, and we are dedicated to supporting the education and professional development interests and needs of our members. Check out more about us here: https://www.naceweb.org/about-us/

What We Offer You

NACE employees receive a competitive salary and enjoy a work environment that values collaboration, innovation, and excellence. Additionally, employees receive an extremely robust benefits package, including: 

• Salary in the range of $200-$220K/year
• A 37.5-hour workweek
• Generous paid time off and vacation time
• Paid holidays –these include MLK Jr. Day, Juneteenth, and the week between Christmas and New Year’s
• 401(k) plan with employer match
• Generous medical, dental, and vision plan (no premium for employee-only coverage and extremely reasonable rates for family coverage!) 
• Company provided short-term and long-term disability 
• Company provided life insurance equal to two times annual salary
• Annual professional development allotment

I’m interested! How do I get started?

Apply to: https://app.jobvite.com/j?aj=o7yXzfwV&s=myHRpartner

Is this the job for you? If not, feel free to share this link with someone who might be interested.

Our hiring management partner is myHR Partner. myHR Partner is not a staffing service or recruiter. All resumes/applications will be reviewed for this position and only for our organization. No phone calls, emails, or direct messages to NACE, please. All candidates must apply through this posting. Unsolicited outreach from staffing agencies or recruiters will not be considered.

Thank you for considering us as a potential employer!

As an inclusive and equal opportunity employer, we stay true to that by ensuring that our place can be anyone’s place.