Chief Operating Officer

Description

The YWCA of the City of New York (YWCA NYC) is on a mission to eliminate racism, empower women and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. We are a multiracial social justice organization dedicated to addressing issues that emerge at the intersection of race, class and gender. Founded in 1858, the YWCA NYC is the first YW in the United States and part of an international movement of YWs worldwide.

We reach more than 3,000 New York City youth each year, offering leadership and advocacy training for young women and gender expansive youth through our high school Girls Initiatives, and providing after-school COMPASS and SONYC programs for elementary and middle school students in culturally diverse communities. Through culturally responsive programming, we create pathways for the next generation of leaders to reach for their dreams and drive social change.

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) provides strategic and operational leadership across YWCA-NYC’s human resources, compliance, administration, facilities, and outsourced IT and finance functions to ensure the effective and efficient operation of the organization. As a key member of a small and dynamic senior leadership team, the COO will help implement the organization’s strategic goals by leading and developing plans for staff recruitment and retention, internal communications, organizational culture, leadership and professional development, and ensuring efficient administrative functions and workflows. Reporting to the CEO, the COO will also serve as a thoughtful partner in advancing the organization’s mission, strategy and culture.

Responsibilities

Human Resources Operations

• Effectively lead and manage the HR team and oversee all HR functions including talent acquisition, payroll, applicant tracking systems and employee records to ensure accuracy, compliance and continuous operational improvement.
• Serve as a strategic partner to leadership across departments to leverage a deep understanding of organizational needs to improve workforce effectiveness and efficiency.
• Provide HR benchmarking, analytics and reporting to support internal decision-making for all relevant stakeholders.
• Lead efforts to enhance the employee experience across the full life cycle, fostering a culture of collaboration, inclusion, growth, accountability and recognition.
• Advise senior leadership on complex employee relations matters, providing risk assessment and mitigation strategies for both individual and collective issues.
• Oversee and benchmark compensation structures to ensure competitiveness and internal equity.
• Lead and oversee performance management and evaluation processes organization-wide.
• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, retention and succession planning for exempt and non-exempt staff.
• Support managers and employees in resolving workplace concerns, conflict resolution and policy interpretation.

Benefits Administration

• Oversee benefits communication, enrollment and administration, serving as a resource for employees.
• Manage relationships with benefit brokers and providers, ensuring effective utilization, issue resolution and cost management.
• Compile required non-discrimination testing and compliance reports as needed.
• Monitor employee status changes to ensure accurate benefits eligibility and coverage.
• Serve as administrator for the Y retirement fund and 403b, including enrollment, pay-period reporting and coordination of annual Form 5500 preparation.
• Act as primary liaison with insurance brokers, supporting the CEO with analysis and recommendations for benefits renewals.
• Review benefits-related contracts and summary plan descriptions for accuracy, compliance and clarity.
• Liaise with auditors on issues related to HR, payroll and benefits.

Payroll

• Oversee and serve as backup for bi-weekly payroll processing for exempt and non-exempt employees.
• Audit payroll and accruals related to new hires, terminations, vacation balances and other payroll adjustments to ensure accuracy and compliance.

Compliance and Risk Management

• Ensure employee handbook, policies and procedures are current, compliant with state and federal laws, and aligned with organizational needs.
• Oversee recruitment, onboarding and orientation processes to ensure consistency and compliance with organizational and legal requirements.
• Maintain current knowledge of employment laws and ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state and local regulations, including EEO, ADA, FMLA, ERISA, OSHA, COBRA, HIPAA, worker’s compensation and DOL requirements.
• Manage annual insurance renewals (liability, workers’ compensation, disability), and oversee certificate of insurance needs across all programs, events, trips and grant requirements.
• Partner with senior program leadership to ensure compliance with background checks, staff clearances and funder-specific requirements.

Finance and Operations

• Serve as primary liaison and management/oversight of outsourced financial services provider.
• Oversee account payable processes to ensure timely, accurate vendor payments.
• Manage organizational insurance coverage, including renewals, claims and payments.
• Ensure accuracy of all vendor payments and employee payment allocation to proper account codes.
• Partner with CEO to ensure fiscal sustainability, internal controls, budget planning and fiscal responsibility across the agency.

Administrative Oversight

• Provide oversight of administrative operational support for HQ and sites; lead office management of HQ site.
• Manage relationships with building managers, safety plans, and emergency preparedness.
• Oversee security protocols and coordination of site-specific operational needs.
• Advise CEO on office or site improvements, lease considerations and office needs.

Information Technology

• Oversee outsourced, third-party IT provider responsible for helpdesk support, cybersecurity, systems maintenance and upgrades.
• Maintain inventory of hardware and technology assets and establish office and employee security and data protection protocols.

Strategy & Organizational Leadership

• Champion and monitor the organization's culture to ensure alignment with strategic goals and employee engagement.
• Partner with CEO on strategic planning, KPI development, and goal setting, including implementation of identified strategies all departments.
• Collaborate with the CEO on board presentations, reports and operational updates.
• Support special projects and cross-functional initiatives as identified by the CEO.

Requirements

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of professional managerial experience, including significant leadership and senior-level HR management experience.
• Deep expertise in human resources management, including benefits administration, compensation strategy, unemployment and labor laws and records retention best practices.
• Demonstrated experience in budget management, financial oversight and maintaining fiscal responsibility.
• Proven ability to design, implement and continuously improve organizational systems, workflows and operational processes.
• Experience building, leading and sustaining an inclusive, mission-driven organizational culture.
• Exceptional communication skills, including writing, public speaking and executive-level presentations.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to influence, collaborate and partner effectively across a multidisciplinary team.
• Highly detail-oriented, self-motivated and proactive, with the ability to work independently, take initiative and remain a strong team player.
• Maintains the ability to prioritize short-term needs with long-term planning.
• Flexible, organized and dependable, with great judgement and problem-solving skills.
• Strong work ethic and high professional standards.
• HR certification preferred (PHR, SPHR, SHRM or equivalent).
• Commitment to the YWCA and YWCA NYC’s social justice mission, vision and values.

To apply

Please submit a cover letter and resume via the following link:

Salary

$150,000 to $170,000

Work Schedule & Hybrid Expectations

This position follows a hybrid schedule.

Occasional evening events, meetings or travel across New York City is required.

HQ Office Location

50 Broadway, 22nd Floor

New York, New York 10004

Job Type

Full-time/ Exempt

Expected hours

35 per week

Benefits

• Health / Dental/ Vision insurance
• YWCA Retirement Plan Matching
• 403(b) Plan
• Paid time off
• Life Insurance
• UNUM Voluntary insurance (Additional Life, Life AD&D, Dep. Life)
• FSA and employers funded HRA dollars to spend towards out-of-pocket health costs

Eligibility requirement rules apply

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and listen. This position is very active and requires standing, walking, bending, kneeling, and stooping all day. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move items under 20 pounds. During fire drills, the employee, unless physically unable, will need to use the stairs to go to ground level from the fourth floor. Typing is required for composing emails and writing reports. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The YWCA of the City of New York is an equal opportunity employer and contractor. We provide equal employment and contracting opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. The YWCA of New York City utilizes only job- related criteria in making decisions concerning applicants and employees. Moreover, we encourage applicants from historically underrepresented communities to apply.