1

Chief Operations Director Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Chief of Operations

Berkeley, CA · On-site

$163.62 - $199.97/hr

The Chief of Operations (COO) is the primary architect, integrator, and deliverer of Earth Island ... Direct the strategic design, implementation, and maintenance of all organizational infrastructure ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Chief Operations Director information

Is COO a stressful job?

The Chief Operations Officer (COO) role is often considered stressful due to its high level of responsibility for daily operations, strategic planning, and organizational performance. COOs must manage multiple departments, meet tight deadlines, and handle significant decision-making, which can contribute to work-related stress. Effective stress management and leadership skills are important for success in this position.

What is a chief operations director?

A chief operations director is a senior executive responsible for overseeing an organization’s daily operations, implementing strategic plans, and ensuring efficiency across departments. They often coordinate with other executives, manage operational teams, and utilize management tools to optimize performance.

How does a Chief Operations Director typically collaborate with other executive leaders to drive organizational success?

A Chief Operations Director regularly partners with fellow executives such as the CEO, CFO, and department heads to align operational strategies with overall business objectives. This collaboration often involves participating in strategic planning meetings, reviewing performance metrics, and coordinating cross-functional initiatives to improve efficiency and productivity. Strong communication and leadership skills are essential, as the role requires balancing the needs of various teams while ensuring that operational goals support the company’s long-term vision.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Chief Operations Director, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Chief Operations Director, you typically need extensive experience in operations management, strategic planning, and a relevant degree such as an MBA. Familiarity with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, process optimization tools, and industry-specific certifications like Six Sigma or PMP is highly valuable. Outstanding leadership, communication, and decision-making skills set top performers apart in this role. These competencies are crucial for overseeing complex operations, driving organizational efficiency, and ensuring alignment with business objectives.

What does a Chief Operations Director do?

A Chief Operations Director is a senior executive responsible for overseeing the daily operations of an organization. They develop and implement business strategies, manage operational budgets, and work to improve processes across departments. Their role often involves collaborating with other executives to ensure that the company's goals and objectives are met efficiently. Additionally, they may be involved in resource allocation, performance monitoring, and policy development to drive organizational success.

What is the salary of a head of operations?

The salary of a Chief Operations Director typically ranges from $100,000 to $200,000 annually, depending on the industry, company size, and location. Senior operations leaders often receive additional compensation such as bonuses, stock options, or benefits based on performance and experience.

What is the difference between Chief Operations Director vs Operations Manager?

AspectChief Operations DirectorOperations Manager
CredentialsBachelor's degree, often advanced degrees, leadership experienceBachelor's degree, relevant certifications often preferred
Work EnvironmentStrategic planning, executive meetings, cross-department oversightDay-to-day operations, team management, process implementation
Employer & Industry UsageLarge corporations, multi-industry companiesMid-sized to large organizations across various industries

The Chief Operations Director focuses on strategic leadership and high-level decision-making, overseeing multiple departments and long-term goals. In contrast, the Operations Manager handles daily operations, team supervision, and process optimization. Both roles require leadership skills, but the scope and responsibilities differ significantly.

Is COO higher than Operations Director?

In most organizations, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a senior executive who oversees the company's daily operations and typically ranks higher than an Operations Director. The COO often reports directly to the CEO and has broader strategic responsibilities, while the Operations Director usually manages specific operational functions within the organization. The exact hierarchy can vary depending on the company's size and structure.
What are the most commonly searched types of Chief Operations jobs in California? The most popular types of Chief Operations jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Chief Operations Director jobs? Cities in California with the most Chief Operations Director job openings:
Infographic showing various Chief Operations Director job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

Chief Operations Officer

Step Up on second, INC

Santa Monica, CA • On-site

$300K - $350K/yr

Full-time

Posted 8 days ago


Job description

Chief Operations Officer (COO)


REPORTS TO: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

HOURS: Full- Time

CLASSIFICATION: Exempt

REQUISITION NUMBER: 1814


SUMMARY: The Chief Operations Officer (COO) serves as a key member of the Executive Leadership Team and strategic partner to the Chief Executive Officer. The COO is responsible for leading the organization's day-to-day operations, implementing strategic initiatives, strengthening organizational performance, and ensuring operational excellence across all programs, departments, and service locations. This position oversees organizational infrastructure, technology, facilities, operational systems, and cross-functional collaboration while supporting sustainable growth and ensuring alignment with Step Up's mission, values, and strategic objectives.


DUTIES: The following reflects essential functions for this job but does not restrict other tasks, which may be assigned:

Leadership, Administration, Oversight

  • Serve as a strategic advisor to the CEO in developing and implementing organizational priorities, strategic plans, and operational initiatives.
  • Provide executive leadership and oversight of agency operations across multiple states and service locations.
  • Develop and implement operational systems, organizational policies, workflows, and performance metrics that improve organizational effectiveness and accountability.
  • Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), dashboards, and operational reporting systems to support data-driven decision making.
  • Ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory, contractual, accreditation, and organizational requirements.
  • Partners with executive leadership, including the CFO, CPO, CHRO, Chief Philanthropy Development Officer, and Chief Housing Development Officer, to align operational priorities, organizational resources, and strategic initiatives.
  • Oversee operational budgeting for facilities, technology, infrastructure, administration, and organizational support functions.
  • Direct facilities management, capital planning, vendor relationships, enterprise technology, cybersecurity, data governance, business continuity, and insurance programs.
  • Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, servant leadership, employee engagement, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
  • Represent the organization before the Board of Directors, government agencies, funders, community partners, and other external stakeholders.


SKILLS:

· Executive leadership and strategic planning

· Organizational development and operational management

· Financial management and budgeting

· Performance management and data analytics

· Change management and process improvement

· Relationship building and partnership development

· Executive communication and public speaking

· Leadership coaching and employee engagement

· Regulatory compliance and risk management

· Technology and infrastructure oversight


Required QUALIFICATIONS:

· Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Healthcare Administration, Organizational Leadership, Nonprofit Management, or a related field.

· Seven (7) years or more of progressive executive leadership experience overseeing complex, multi-site or multi-program operations.

· Demonstrated success leading organizational growth, operational improvement, financial stewardship, and strategic initiatives.

· Proven ability to develop high-performing leadership teams and build collaborative organizational cultures.

· Strong financial acumen with experience managing large organizational budgets.

· Exceptional communication, relationship-building, leadership, and change management skills.

· Demonstrated commitment to Step Up's mission and values.

· Experience within nonprofit, behavioral health, healthcare, housing, human services, or other mission-driven organizations.

· Experience with government-funded programs, grants management, HUD, DHCS, LACDMH, or similar regulatory environments.

· Experience presenting to Boards of Directors and working with nonprofit governance.

· Experience leading organizations through significant growth, organizational transformation, or multi-state expansion.


SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION: Work with people experiencing homelessness whether on the streets, in shelters or other places of habitation or services, may present inherent challenges and difficulties such as: exposure to bed bugs or other infestations, unpleasant smells or odors, individuals who may have poor hygiene or unclean homes due to homelessness, mental health symptoms, or poverty. Additionally, in working with our members, employees may encounter instances of profanity, sexually explicit or derogatory language, or verbal or physical expressions of anger and trauma. Very rarely do these situations ever escalate to physical contact, and negative or derogatory communication patterns can often be negotiated successfully. All direct care staff are provided adequate training to develop skills to deescalate crisis situations that may arise and Step Up has established procedural safeguards for all employees to mitigate (but not eliminate) these inherent risks of employment.


PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands and fingers; handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk; and hear. The employee is frequently required to walk, balance, stoop, kneel, and/or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Keyboard data entry required.


Step Up utilizes the principles of trauma-informed care and mental health recovery. These principles inform our Core Values of Hope, Wellness, Voice and Choice, Respect, and Collaborative Relationships. As representatives of Step Up, employees agree to adhere to these values in their interactions with members, colleagues, supervisors, and associated community members.


STEP UP CORE VALUES


HOPE – We believe all people have the capacity for positive growth and change. We use hope to inspire and motivate ourselves, our members, our colleagues, and our community.

WELLNESS – We believe in promoting a culture that supports healthy and fulfilling lives. We use a supportive environment to foster well-being for ourselves, our members, our colleagues, and our community.

VOICE AND CHOICE – We believe in the right to choose and be heard. We use voice and choice to create meaningful outcomes and empowerment for ourselves, our members, our colleagues, and our community.

RESPECT – We believe in promoting interactions that are non-judgmental, transparent. We use respect to guide all of our words and actions with ourselves, our members, our colleagues, and our community.

COLLABORATIVE RELATIONSHIPS – We believe in forming partnerships to share resources, knowledge, and experiences. We use collaborative relationships to strengthen accomplishments for ourselves, our members, our colleagues, and our community.




Step Up provides equal employment opportunities without regard to age, ancestry, color, creed, mental or physical disability, marital status, medical condition, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws.


STEP UP IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

#ZR