Chief Operating Officer

Scion Executive Search has been retained to identify the incoming Chief Operating Officer (COO) on behalf of our incredible client, Dress for Success Worldwide, a nonprofit organization fostering women’s economic independence globally by equipping them with professional clothing, a network of support, and the workforce development tools that empower them to excel in their careers and beyond. This executive leadership opportunity is available for immediate hire and will be based out of the Dress for Success Worldwide headquarters in New York, NY.

ABOUT DRESS FOR SUCCESS WORLDWIDE:Dress for Success is an international nonprofit organization that empowers women to achieve economic independence by providing a full suite of workforce development tools and resources to help them thrive in work and in life. Since its inception in 1997, Dress for Success has served over 1.3 million women from diverse backgrounds around the world.

Globally, barriers to economic independence encountered by women include lack of access to opportunities, education, childcare, transportation, and more. Dress for Success responds to these challenges by providing workforce development programs for unemployed and underemployed women that are customized to meet the needs of each local community. Key offerings include career coaching and readiness; upskilling and reskilling; networking and community; and styling and professional attire.

Through its offerings, Dress for Success is focused on the achievement of four key goals:Helping women secure meaningful employment with a livable wage.Providing a network of support to help women sustain employment.Improving the financial acumen and economic stability of women.Expanding awareness of the issues that impact the women they serve.

Dress for Success Worldwide (“Worldwide”) serves as the managing organization for the Dress for Success brand and its more than 140 global affiliates in 24 countries. Worldwide's work includes providing capacity building support to the affiliate network, as well as developing and managing partnerships, campaigns, and program offerings that are global, national, and/or which impact multiple identified markets. In addition to this centralized role, Worldwide currently provides direct services to clients in New York City and Chicago, with plans for these locations to spin off as independent affiliates over the next 1-2 years.

With a relatively new CEO, strong mission and vision, and recently launched five-year strategic plan, Dress for Success is poised for transformational change, innovation, and growth.

RESPONSIBILITY OVERVIEW:Financial Management and OversightDevelop, recommend, and implement financial strategies to support the organization’s short-term and long-range proposals, goals, and strategic plans.Support the CEO’s goals and visions with advice and strong financial strategies, providing necessary reports and/or presentations to support recommendations and strategies.Analyze financial performance and maintain the annual budget through regular forecasting and corrections; provide budget updates and analysis to leadership and the Board.Drive best financial practices within the organization by publicizing standard operating procedures, keeping the executive leadership team, Board, and staff current on financial status, generally serving as a point of reference for all growth plans and projects within the organization.Ensure appropriate systems are in place to guarantee timeliness and accuracy of data and financial reporting.Oversee accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll and all related operations.Supervise annual audits as well as other audit activities, coordinate issuance of certified annual financial statements.Ensure timely and efficient preparation of annual audited financial statements, 990 tax returns, and relevant Federal filings.Analyze and make recommendations on the investment of organizational reserves; identify and harness available resources to maximize income streams.Establish and maintain internal controls, financial policies, and procedures maintaining compliance with best practices and legal requirements.Serve as staff support to the Board, particularly the Finance, Audit, and Investment Committees on fiduciary and financial matters.

Operations & Organizational ComplianceOversee risk management and legal activities including but not limited to letters of agreement, contracts, and leases, engaging counsel as needed.Collaborate with counsel to develop and implement strategies for protecting the nonprofit’s intellectual property (IP) assets including trademarks and copyrights.Work closely with legal counsel to draft and negotiate IP-related contracts, agreements, and licenses with third parties.Ensure proper procurement, monitoring, and management of business insurance.Provide oversight of real estate planning, budgeting, and operations including contract review, facilities modifications, and coordination of space allocation, layout, and communication services.Across all operations and organizational activities, maintain compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards.Conduct regular audits and assessments to identify areas of non-compliance and take corrective action as needed.Stay updated on changes in regulations and laws that may impact the organization and advise leadership accordingly.Train and educate staff on compliance requirements and best practices to ensure a culture of compliance throughout the organization.Prepare and submit reports to regulatory agencies and relevant stakeholders.Oversee administrative functions of the Dress for Success Worldwide office space, ensuring smooth daily operations.Oversee the management and maintenance of all facilities owned or leased by the nonprofit across multiple sites, ensuring they are safe, operational, and compliant with local regulations.Develop and implement facility management strategies, including maintenance schedules, vendor contracts, and emergency response plans, to optimize operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness.Negotiate and manage contracts with service providers, vendors, and landlords to secure favorable terms and ensure quality services for the organization's facilities.Develop and monitor budgets for facility-related expenses, including utilities, repairs, renovations, and capital improvements, and provide regular reports to senior leadership and the Board of Directors.Support the CEO in engaging with and providing guidance to the Dress for Success Worldwide Board.Perform other duties as assigned by the CEO.

Information Technology & Systems TransformationOversee and guide the development of comprehensive IT strategies to ensure that staff has the tools to be successful in their roles and to integrate across departments and functions.Collaborate with third party vendors to identify necessary adjustments or changes in technology systems and infrastructure.Support the evaluation, selection, and negotiation of all technology platforms, taking ownership of the organization’s future digital roadmap.

QUALIFICATIONS:10+ years of nonprofit leadership experience and strategic guidance in positions focused on Administrative Operations, Strategy, Finance, and Information Technology.Bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance, or another related discipline; an advanced degree (i.e., JD, MBA, etc.) is highly desirable.Established history of success in nonprofit financial management, strategic planning and execution, and business process development and refinement.Knowledge of all aspects of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).Previous/current experience supporting an operating budget of $10M+.Proof points of building and delivering on short- and long-term financial plans.Expertise in financial accounting, budget development and reporting, project management, as well as internal controls.Partnership oriented approach to both internal and external engagement.Experience integrating systems to improve finance productivity and accuracy.Experience working with external auditors, compliance, and regulatory oversight.Demonstrated competence in the management of technology and data in an executive position and proven success in implementing new technologies, processes, and procedures.Extensive budget development and management experience with a proven ability to deliver results within established budgets.Adept in fiscal management principles and processes, including resource management, needs assessment, as well as best practices development and implementation.Intrinsic and unwavering leadership and support for equity, diversity, and justice in the workplace and beyond.Track record of responsible risk management and strategic decision-making.Experience in managing cross-functional teams to develop and implement systems and processes to increase effectiveness and efficiency in a nonprofit organization.Deep passion for furthering the mission of Dress for Success Worldwide.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:This incredible full-time opportunity provides the chance to make a transformative impact on global environmental and social justice issues. Along with a competitive salary ranging from $200,000 to $215,000, this exceptional role comes with access to a comprehensive benefits package.