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Nonprofit Chief Operating Officer 

Nonprofit organizations’ need for strong senior management teams to complement the chief executive has led to a renewed focus on the chief operating officer, but the COO role means different things to different people.

Getting Started:

The Nonprofit Chief Operating Officer

In today’s environment, with the increased complexity of the nonprofit executive director’s (ED’s) job, the imperative is ever greater for nonprofits to hire and retain strong senior management to complement the chief executive. This trend has led to a renewed focus on the chief operating officer (COO)—also called the deputy director, associate director, and director of operations, to name a few alternate titles. But what does the role actually entail? In this report, real nonprofit COOs answer that question and more. Read more >

COO Roles and Structures: Stories from the Field

The most salient characteristic of the COO job seems to be its variety. COO roles, and the organizational structures in which COOs operate, are highly varied across organizations and even within a single organization over time. Read more >

Frequently Asked Questions: About the COO Role

Answers to some common questions about the COO position, including: What is the COO role? What makes for a successful nonprofit COO? And what is the career path for nonprofit COOs. Read more >






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