CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER (COO), The Children's Institute of Pittsburgh

The Childrens Institute seeks a Chief Operating Officer (COO) who will translate strategic vision into actionable operations ensuring organizational and programmatic excellence efficiency and effectiveness.

An essential member of the leadership team the Chief Operating Officer will play a pivotal executive and accountable role in providing leadership and management of daily program operations of The Childrens Institute. Reporting to the President and CEO the COO drives organization-wide operational strategy performance management and organizational effectiveness all in alignment with strategy and vision set by the Board of Directors leadership team and the President & CEO. By providing oversight and strategic alignment of all programs in an effective integrated process to maximize program efficiency the COO will maintain a culture of positivity growth and accountability.

The COO will be a strong manager able to balance the organizations family-focused mission and strategies while overseeing operational and managerial collaboration with the President & CEO the leadership team and the Board of Directors the successful candidate will oversee implementation of the strategic plan build new partnerships to grow and sustain the organization and provide effective oversight to programmatic areas that support growth. With an eye toward continuous improvement the COO will work to bring staff into closer collaboration and to increase communication organization-wide as well as to ensure policies and procedures are codified.

The COO is primarily responsible for the following:

Operational Oversight & Leadership

• Assures the Childrens Institute effectively achieves its mission by providing leadership to the team. This includes day-to-day operations staff supervision and strategic execution.
• Provides leadership and guidance to project teams ensuring efficient execution and delivery of high-quality outcomes and appropriate prioritization and alignment of strategic initiatives.
• Facilitates cross-functional collaboration directs project workflows and fosters accountability and cohesion among the leadership team. Acts as an integrator across the organization.
• Provides oversight for programmatic areas including policies and procedures required for the provision of excellent service delivery models.
• Establishes clear guidelines and standards to streamline processes and ensure consistency and excellence across program areas.
• Evaluates departmental and program needs and makes recommendations for budget staffing equipment space and other needs in a fiscally responsible manner.
• Participates in plans for marketing of programs and services managing growth in areas defined in the strategic plan and fostering positive referral relationships.

Service Excellence

• Drives programs to incorporate best practices and evidence-based models of service delivery. Establishes and monitors key performance indicators including client feedback to foster a client-centric culture across the organization.
• Ensures service delivery adheres to high standards and best practices in alignment with CIs quality assurance program organizational policies regulations and industry standards.
• Collaborates in regular reviews and audits using actionable insights to drive continuous improvement in service outcomes.
• Evaluates departmental and program needs and makes recommendations for budget staffing equipment space and other needs in a fiscally responsible manner.
• Maintains a working knowledge of significant developments and trends in the field and recommends improvements in line with recommended practices.

Growth & Collaboration

• Participates in plans for marketing programs and services managing growth in areas defined in the strategic plan and fostering positive referral relationships.
• Under the CEOs guidance explores potential joint ventures mergers and acquisitions to expand the organizations reach and capabilities.
• In partnership with CIO supports the implementation of creative technological solutions that improve program accessibility user experience and overall outcomes.
• Actively participates in Board of Directors meetings providing operational performance updates and insights to ensure alignment.
• Develops and maintains strategic relationships with key external partners essential to operations including insurance companies county representatives and other relevant stakeholders in alignment with the vision and direction set by the CEO.

The Candidate

The Childrens Institute seeks a humble and mission-driven leader with a deep compassion and pride for the work The Childrens Institute provides to children and families. A master implementor the ideal candidate brings deep experience leading complex organizational change driving culture transformation and building high-performing teams. The COO will serve as a unifying force across the organization strengthening internal alignment. Resilient and adaptable the COO will apply visionary leadership effective communication adaptability problem-solving skills and strategic thinking to carry out duties and foster teamwork throughout the organization.

This position requires a confident emotionally intelligent forward-focused leader who has significant history and demonstrated experience in innovation and program development project management and ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders. A breadth of experience in healthcare pediatrics social services autism services and educational programming will be instrumental to this position. The successful COO will be motivated by change and have a track record of implementing systems organizational structures and processes to achieve organizational goals. Priorexperience in a pediatric-focused organization is strongly preferred. An active listener with a vested interest in team building the new COO will lead with grace and foster a positive work environment that excites and motivates staff to serve.

All candidates should have exceptional and proven experience in nonprofitmanagement leadership relationship management and organizational change management as well as possess a combination of the following skills and attributes:

• Passion for and commitment to TheChildrens Institutes vision mission and children and families served.
• Educational background and work experience aligned with the requirements of the position.
• Deep experience with program development oversight and evaluation preferably in a nonprofit or healthcare setting.
• Past success working collaboratively with partners including but not limited to philanthropic leaders like-minded organizational partners and a strong Board of Directors.
• Demonstrated success in creating and promoting a diverse inclusive and respectful workplace environment that encourages growth and retention. A working style that is transparent encouraging and collaborative.
• An adept team-builder who can tackle culture remove siloes and gather staff towards a unified vision particularly in complex and dynamic organizations.
• Possesses resilience that is unbothered by unexpected challenges or setbacks.
• Evidence of continuously seeking opportunities for different and innovative approaches to addressing organizational problems and challenges.
• Commitment to quality programs and data-driven program evaluation. Ability to develop analyze and speak to business performance and metrics particularly in a healthcare setting.
• Financial acumen that extends to evaluating financial performance of the organization with regards to long-term operational goals budgets and forecasts.
• High level of interpersonal and communication skills with a track record of building strong relationships with a diverse group of individuals at all levels. Can build consensus for ideas and can be effective in navigating sensitive topics.
• Values an inclusive work environment and can demonstrate cultural competence.
• Capable of maintaining the highest standards of ethics and personal integrity.

In the near term the new Chief Operating Officer will continue to deliver outstanding outcomes while successfully addressing the following in the first 6-12 months:

• Become immersed in the programs and people of the Childrens Institute with particular attention paid to processes policies and efficiency.
• Collaborate with CEO to enhance operational efficiency and cross-functional coordination.
• Assess program budgets with CFO and program leaders to ensure fiscal responsibility and overall financial health.

As the operational leader of The Childrens Institute the COO will work full-time in the offices of the main campus located in Squirrel Hill frequently traveling to locations in Allegheny Beaver Butler Washington and Westmoreland counties. The position offers a competitive salary range of $225000 - $250000 with executive level benefits that include healthcare time-off retirement and a host of progressive and generous offerings.

The Childrens Institute has retained Nonprofit Talent to assist with this important organizational change process. Specific questions related to the position may be emailed to Michelle Pagano Heck President at emailprotected. Please direct all inquiries related to this position to Nonprofit Talent and do not contact the Childrens Institute.

Resume position-specific cover letter and salary expectations can be uploaded via this web portal.

APPLICATIONS ARE DUE BY 5PM ON OCTOBER 27th 2025