Chief Operating Officer at Surge Institute

ORGANIZATION: Surge Institute
ROLE: Chief Operating Officer
LOCATION:  Remote
TRAVEL EXPECTATIONS: up to 25% travel
SALARY: $220,000 - $250,000

OUR ORGANIZATION
The Surge Institute is an education leadership accelerator with a simple but important mission: Develop and elevate leaders of color who create transformative change for children, families, and communities. 

The Institute’s signature programs were designed to develop and unite emerging BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) leaders and change the education landscape by providing them with a unique leadership development experience. We go beyond training. We connect, support, and elevate; and we do it all in love and through community.

Learn more about Surge’s strategy and impact. 

Surge’s success has brought the organization increased support and influence. Through representative education leadership, Surge strives to make a positive impact in communities across the country. This is an exciting time for Surge, and we hope to find motivated, disciplined, mission-driven individuals to join our team!

Job Summary
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Surge is a strategic leader responsible for overseeing and optimizing the organization's daily operations. This role will lead key departments, including Finance, Human Resources/People Operations, IT, Legal, and Business Operations, ensuring that all systems, processes, and policies align with the organization’s mission and vision. They will drive operational efficiency, foster a positive workplace culture, and ensure Surge is positioned for sustainable growth while advancing its commitment to equity and social justice. The COO will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer and work closely with other executive leaders to align internal operational strategies with organizational goals.

Key Responsibilities

 Leadership and Strategy

• Serve as a strategic thought partner to the CEO, contributing to the development and execution of the organization’s long-term goals and vision.
• Lead and manage the Finance, Human Resources/People Operations, IT, Legal, and Business Operations functions, ensuring alignment with organizational strategy.
• Coach and develop the Director of Operations, who handles day-to-day HR operations and organizational culture activities, ensuring effective execution across all responsibilities.
• Collaborate with the Leadership Team to drive organizational success and elevate the leadership of education leaders of color across the country.
• Collaborate with external IT and Legal services vendors, providing strategic direction and ensuring quality outcomes.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for the Board of Directors on operational matters, including scheduling quarterly board meetings and coordinating special reports.
• Collaborate with the Chief External Affairs Officer and Chief Program Officer to support the implementation of new service offerings, ensuring quality program design and effective delivery.

Human Resources and People Operations

• Oversee the HR function, including talent acquisition, onboarding, performance management, compensation, payroll, benefits, and compliance.
• Develop and execute an organizational staffing plan that aligns with long-term goals and strategic priorities in partnership with the Director of Operations.
• Oversee employee relations, including coaching management and staff, and ensuring a positive and equitable workplace culture.
• Oversee and optimize company-wide culture activities, including retreats, celebrations, and initiatives that foster a positive and inclusive workplace environment and promote the Surge ethos.

Operational Excellence

• Ensure operational efficiency across departments, optimizing processes, systems, and resources to support the organization's mission.
• Manage relationships with key external vendors, including IT and Legal service providers, ensuring that services are delivered efficiently and in alignment with the organization's goals.
• Collaborate with the executive leadership team to continuously improve organizational practices, ensuring they are aligned with equity, collaboration, and continuous growth.
• Ensure that the organization’s policies and practices promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of its operations.

Financial Management

• Lead Surge’s financial strategy, including financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and goals.
• Maintain and enhance strategies to shift revenue streams from predominantly philanthropic sources to earned revenue, ensuring the organization's financial sustainability.
• Provide financial oversight, including monthly budget-to-actual analysis, to ensure informed decision-making across the organization.
• Collaborate with the Chief External Affairs Officer to forecast and plan revenue. 

Team Leadership and Development

• Lead and develop a high-performing, diverse, and inclusive team, ensuring alignment between team priorities, organizational goals, and individual role expectations.
• Foster a culture of empowerment, accountability, and professional growth.
• Practice inclusive management, promoting equity and belonging within the team.

Desired Attributes:

• Leadership Experience: Proven ability to lead teams and manage complex operations, particularly in nonprofit, education, or mission-driven organizations.
• HR and Finance Expertise: Strong background in human resources, talent management, and financial oversight, crucial for maintaining the organization’s stability and growth.
• Scaling Operations: Experience with organizational growth and expansion, with a focus on building systems that can support increased scale and complexity.
• Change Management: Expertise in guiding organizations through periods of change while maintaining alignment with mission and values.
• Inclusive Leadership: Demonstrated ability to lead inclusively, fostering an environment where all voices are heard, respected, and valued. Proven experience in disassembling inequitable systems, particularly those based on race, class, and gender. Strong background in ensuring diverse perspectives are integrated into decision-making processes to drive organizational success.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree required; Master’s Degree preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years experience in operations, human resources, finance, or related fields.
• Minimum of 5 years experience leading a team with a track record of results.
• Proven ability to disassemble inequitable systems based on race, class, and gender.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Exhibits a high level of discretion when handling sensitive information.
• Ability to present to and ensure buy-in among other executive leaders and board of directors with exceptional communication and problem-solving skills.
• Passion for transforming K-12 public education and connection to communities of color.
• Ability to travel occasionally for board meetings, in-person programming, and other organizational needs.

Compensation
Surge Institute offers a competitive salary, commensurate with experience. The salary range for this role is $220,000-$250,000. A comprehensive benefits package including unlimited PTO, 401k retirement plan, annual performance bonus eligibility up to 10%, and a variety of other benefits are offered by Surge.
 

The Surge Institute does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, or other characteristics covered by law with regard to employment opportunities.  The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of job functions, responsibilities, or requirements and does not include the general job performance expectations applicable to all employees (e.g., regular, timely attendance).