Job Description

San Diego Youth Services

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

Chief Operating Officer

San Diego Youth Services seeks a Chief Operating Officer (COO) to be based at our Point Loma Administration Headquarters. This is a full-time exempt position reporting to the Chief Executive Officer.

San Diego Youth Services: Who we are

San Diego Youth Services has helped improve the lives of more than 780,000 homeless, runaway and vulnerable youth since its beginning in 1970. We provide safe places to live and long-term solutions through shelter, foster homes, community centers and housing to more than 28,000 youth every year at 100+ community and school locations. Through prevention, early intervention and treatment, we also help youth before they need higher levels of care or become homeless.

We aim to:

1. Meet the basic needs of youth. Hunger, poverty and youth homelessness are on the rise for many youth and their families today. We help meet these basic needs for youth. What could be more vital than food and shelter? We provide safe places to live and long-term solutions through shelter, foster homes, community centers and housing.
2. Create positive connection. We help youth focus on positive life changes and healthy relationships as part of providing needed resources and services. San Diego Youth Services has long provided foster homes and adoption support services for families considering adopting a youth in the foster care system.
3. Help youth develop life skills. In addition to a range of safe and stable housing options, we offer support to help youth develop the independent living skills necessary to become self-sufficient and keep off the streets.
4. Promote overall health and well-being. Early intervention and care for the whole child are critical. We provide a broad continuum of services to help youth overcome trauma and challenges that put them at risk, including case management, counseling, mental health treatment and educational support and resources .

SDYS has a staff of approximately 250 employees and 80 volunteers working across San Diego County and an annual budget of approximately $28 million. You can learn more about us at

DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION OR PROGRAM DESCRIPTION HIRING FOR

The COO will be part of the SDYS Executive Leadership Team (ELT)

The Executive Leadership Team (ELT) at San Diego Youth Services is a collaborative group of senior leaders responsible for guiding the organizations strategy, culture, and operations. Working closely with the Chief Executive Officer, the ELT ensures alignment across all programs, services, and administrative functions to advance SDYSs mission of empowering youth to reach their full potential.

CONTEXT OF THE POSITION

The COO is a key member of SDYS executive leadership team (ELT), responsible for ensuring organizational excellence across multiple programs in 5 divisions, facilities, IT and quality management.

The COO provides strategic leadership and operational oversight to advance the SDYS mission, strengthen infrastructure, and ensures high standards of service delivery. This role works closely with the CEO, Board of Directors, and leadership team to drive impact, improve outcomes, and foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and innovation.

Essential functions include:

1. Programs
   1. Provide executive oversight of SDYS programs, ensuring alignment with mission, vision, and strategic priorities.
   2. Ensure that the programs have adequate staffing capacity and capability necessary for service delivery, contract compliance and organizational development
   3. Assist with public funding, grant proposal writing in assigned specialized areas in accordance with SDYS strategic goals.
   4. Develop and maintain good working partnerships with funders, other agencies and constituents in order to develop, facilitate and integrate the agency's and community's goals.
   5. Oversee program budgeting in partnership with the CFO and Fiscal Dept, ensuring resources are allocated effectively and programs operate within approved budgets.
2. Facilities
   1. Oversee all SDYS facilities and properties, ensuring safe, welcoming, and functional environments for youth, staff, and partners.
   2. Develop and implement facility management plans, including capital improvements, safety protocols, and emergency preparedness.
   3. Ensure operational systems, processes, and policies support organizational efficiency and sustainability.
   4. Partner with Finance and Marketing & Development to align operational resources with organizational priorities.
3. Quality Management
   1. Lead agency-wide quality assurance and compliance efforts, ensuring adherence to contracts, funder requirements, and accreditation standards.
   2. Develop and monitor performance metrics and dashboards to track organizational effectiveness and impact.
   3. Oversee risk management and compliance policies to ensure agency-wide accountability and safety.
   4. Promote a culture of data-driven decision making, transparency, and continuous improvement.
4. IT
   1. In collaboration with the Director of CQIT, and the external outsourcing IT company, Excedeo, p rovide oversight of IT systems, infrastructure, and support services to ensure secure, efficient, and reliable operations.
   2. Partner with IT staff, Excedeo and vendors to align technology with organizational needs, including data management, cybersecurity, and user support.
   3. Lead strategic planning for technology improvements that enhance program delivery, staff collaboration, and organizational efficiency.
5. Leadership & Culture
   1. Serve as a thought partner to the CEO, supporting agency-wide strategy and vision.
   2. Mentor and develop leadership staff to strengthen internal capacity and succession planning.
   3. Build strong cross-functional collaboration to ensure organizational cohesion and impact.

REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelors degree required; Masters degree in nonprofit management, social services, public administration, or related field strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in nonprofit, human services, or related sectors.

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