Chief Operating Officer - World Council of Credit Unions

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) has strong leadership skills and will collaborate with the CEO in setting and translating strategy into actionable steps for growth, implementing organization-wide goal setting, performance management, and annual operations planning. Under the direction of the CEO, the COO is responsible for all aspects of oversight and stability of the organization's day-to-day operations. Additionally, the COO supports the CEO and the Board of Directors. The primary focus of the position is to provide leadership and direction to shared services and other departments (directly and cross-functionally) and to effectively assist in the development and implementation of the organization’s multi-year strategic plan. The COO identifies strengths, gaps, and needs across the organization for the purpose of establishing an efficient and well-coordinated operating structure.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Analyze internal operations and identify areas for process enhancement
• Implement business strategies and plans that align with the short- and long-term objectives developed in tandem with the CEO
• Directly oversee operations, HR, legal and compliance, communications, and IT and systems improvements.
• Oversee organizational operations and employee productivity, building a highly inclusive culture that ensures team members can thrive and that organizational goals are met
• Build and maintain trusting relationships with key internal and external stakeholders
• Develop and implement shared services strategies aligned with the company's overall goals and objectives.
• Collaborate with department heads to understand their needs and ensure shared services are aligned with business requirements.
• Cultivate a strong, transparent, and collaborative relationship with the CEO and the C-Suite team, providing comprehensive and insightful updates on all aspects of the business.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement
• Manage relationships with external vendors and service providers.
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulations, policies, and standards in HR, procurement, and IT functions.
• Identify and mitigate risks associated with shared services operations.
• Collaborate with the IT department to integrate technology solutions that enhance shared services delivery. Ensure alignment between technology initiatives and business requirements.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Five or more years of experience in an executive or senior leadership role, with fifteen or more years of professional experience. 
• Excellent leadership skills, with steadfast resolve and personal integrity
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as organizational and time management skills.
• Solid grasp of data analysis and performance metrics
• Ability to diagnose problems quickly and foresee potential issues
• Proven track record in managing complex operations and in an international setting
• Extensive experience in financial management, strategic planning, and operational excellence.
• Possesses executive presence, team management and excellent communication skills; ability to listen and interact with employees at all levels
• Familiarity with USAID or other donor-funded international project implementation a plus
• Familiarity with associations a plus
• Understanding of technology solutions, in particular, Salesforce , is a plus.

EDUCATION:

A master’s in business, finance, economics, or international affairs, or comparable, is strongly preferred.

A bachelor’s degree in business, finance, economics, or international affairs or a comparable degree is required.

COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS:

• Strong leadership and management skills with the ability to lead and develop a diverse team.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to identify and address operational challenges.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively collaborate with internal stakeholders and external vendors.
• Risk Mitigation: Identification and mitigation of risks associated with shared services operations.
• Ability to think strategically and develop innovative solutions to enhance shared services delivery. Proficiency in project management methodologies to lead initiatives and drive results.
• Knowledge of relevant regulations and compliance requirements in HR, procurement, and IT domains. Strong decision-making and problem-solving capabilities.
• The ability to drive change, including influencing skills.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read and write in English; fluency in a second language preferred.

COMPUTER SKILLS: Working knowledge of the web with proven skills in Microsoft Suite products (Word, Excel, SharePoint, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.).

TRAVEL: up to 15% of the time domestically and internationally

LOCATION: Our office is headquartered in Madison, WI with an additional office in Washington, D.C. The Madison, WI team is fully remote, while the D.C. office has a hybrid work setting requiring staff to report to our D.C. location 2-3 days a week. This role can be based in the Madison, WI area or Washington, D.C.

WOCCU seeks to attract and retain the best talent by offering a comprehensive benefits package. This summary of benefits is for regular full-time and eligible part-time employees (working at least 30 hours per week).

Health, Dental, and Vision

Medical –WOCCU offersone medical through CareFirst with several options you can choose from (HMO, POS, and PPO) based on your individual and family needs. A four-tier plan (Employee Only, Employee + Spouse, Employee + Children, and Employee + Family) coverage is offered to eligible WOCCU employees and dependents.

Flexible Spending Account (FSA) – Pre-tax dollars to pay for out-of-pocket healthcare or dependent care costs. The contribution limit is determined by the IRS and updated every year.

Dental –Delta Dental provides preventative, basic, major, and orthodontia (19 years and under) dental care services.

Vision Care – VSP covers vision expenses for exams, frames, standard lenses, and contact lenses.

Prescription Drug Coverage – Covers eligible prescription drug expenses at retail or mail-order pharmacies (included with selected medical coverage).

Domestic Partner Coverage – Domestic partners are covered under WOCCU health plans.

Disability and Life Insurance

Short-term Disability (STD) –Offers income replacement of 60% up to $1,500 per week for a maximum benefit period of 9 weeks. This benefit will begin after 0 days if you become disabled due to injury and after 7 days if you become disabled due to an illness.

Long-term Disability (LTD) –Offers income replacement of 60% up to $10,000 per month.

Group Life and AD&D Insurance – WOCCU provides a replacement for loss of income in the event of an employee's untimely death in the amount of two times the employee's salary up to a maximum of $350,000.

Voluntary Life and AD&D Insurance –WOCCU employees can elect additional life and AD&D insurance plans based on their family’s needs.

Paid Time Off

Sick Leave – Eligible employees will accrue sick leave benefits at the rate of 12 days per year (1 day for every full month of service). Part-time employees accrue sick leave at a prorated rate.

Vacation Leave – Vacation time begins at the commencement of employment and accrues in proportional increments per pay period throughout the calendar year. Vacation accrual is based on years of service.

Paid Holidays – WOCCU offers 11 paid holidays and 1 floating holiday that can be used at the employee's discretion.