Chief Operating Officer – Non-Profit Leadership

About This Position

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is the organization's chief integrator — the senior executive responsible for ensuring that ASC's people, systems, and resources are aligned to execute our strategic priorities with excellence. 

Working alongside the CEO and the executive leadership team, the COO leads ASC's internal operations: finance, human resources, technology, facilities, and administrative infrastructure. This frees the CEO to focus on fundraising, strategic partnerships, and long-term vision — while giving the organization the operational backbone it needs to grow well. 

This is a building role. The right person will architect scalable systems for a multi-site, year-round organization that doesn't exist yet, and develop the leaders who will run them. 

Team Structure

The COO leads a team of two full-time staff, one contractor, and multiple vendors:

• People and Culture Manager, FTE
• Director of Facilities, FTE
• Director of Finance, Contractor
• Multiple vendors

ASC is a team of 16 full-time employees plus 100+ seasonal staff hired across each camp session.  The COO is joining an experienced group of professionals and is responsible for ongoing development and mentorship to maximize the potential of the team.

Responsibilities

Operational Leadership and Strategy

• Translate strategic priorities into operational plans with clear accountability, timelines, and measurable outcomes. 
• Build scalable systems, policies, and infrastructure that support a growing multi-site, year-round organization. 
• Lead cross-functional planning, improve coordination across departments, and ensure operational consistency. 
• Provide concise, decision-ready analysis and recommendations to the CEO and Board of Directors. 

People Leadership & Culture 

• Recruit, coach, and develop high-performing operational leaders capable of independently leading their functions. 
• Foster a culture rooted in trust, accountability, collaboration, ownership, and continuous improvement. 
• Build leadership capacity throughout the organization through coaching, performance management, and professional development. 
• Partner with the CEO to strengthen organizational culture and employee engagement, particularly during a season of significant team growth 

Financial Stewardship

• Partner with Finance to ensure the organization's long-term financial health and sustainability. 
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, purchasing, contracts, insurance, and operational risk. 
• Monitor performance through dashboards and key indicators, ensuring resources are allocated to maximize mission impact. 

Growth and Project Management

• Lead major cross-functional initiatives, including capital projects, systems implementations, and facility development. 
• Coordinate planning for a third campus build-out and the transition to year-round, multi-site operations. 
• Build the organizational capacity — systems, processes, and people — to support ASC's long-term growth strategy. 

Facilities, Technology, and Compliance

• Provide executive oversight for facilities, technology infrastructure, risk management, and operational compliance. 
• Oversee long-term facility planning, capital maintenance, and operational readiness across all ASC properties. 
• Ensure administrative systems support compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and organizational policies. 

Cross-Department Collaboration

• Serve as the organization's primary facilitator of cross-functional collaboration.
• Remove barriers that prevent teams from executing effectively.
• Ensure operational decisions consistently support ASC's mission, strategic priorities, and organizational values.

Who You Are

• An Organizational Builder: You create systems, structures, and processes that enable organizations to grow without becoming more complicated.
• An Exceptional People Leader: You develop strong leaders, build trust, provide accountability, and bring out the best in others.
• A Strategic Integrator: You naturally connect people, priorities, and resources to move complex work forward.
• A Calm Executive: You bring clarity during ambiguity, make thoughtful decisions under pressure, and keep teams focused on what matters most.
• A Continuous Improver: You constantly look for opportunities to simplify, strengthen, and improve the way an organization operates.

Requirements

• Significant progressive leadership experience overseeing multiple operational functions within a growing organization.
• Demonstrated success leading managers and developing high-performing leadership teams.
• Proven experience overseeing Finance, Human Resources, Operations, Administration, Technology, Facilities, or similar organizational functions.
• Demonstrated experience building scalable systems, organizational processes, and cross-functional accountability.
• Strong financial acumen and experience managing organizational budgets.
• Exceptional project management and organizational leadership skills.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex operational information clearly and concisely.
• Demonstrated ability to independently solve complex organizational challenges and make sound executive decisions.
• Strong emotional intelligence, curiosity, humility, and ability to build trust across diverse teams.
• Ability to thrive in a growing organization where strategic thinking and hands-on execution occur simultaneously.
• Must pass a national background check.

As part of our team, you'll be expected to earn certifications that connect you to the camp experience firsthand, including CPR/First Aid and Ropes Course Level 1 Facilitator.  A valid driver's license and the ability to lift up to 35 pounds are also required. 

Compensation and Benefits

Annual salary for this role is $100,000 to $120,000, based on experience.  Additional benefits include:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.  ASC covers 50% in year one, 60% in year two, etc.
• SIMPLE IRA with a 3% employer match.
• Unlimited PTO.
• Eligibility for staff members’ own children to attend camp.

About Austin Sunshine Camps (ASC)

Austin Sunshine Camps’ mission is to provide the magic of overnight camp without the barrier of cost. We envision a world where all children have a place to grow, connect, and explore. Since 1928, ASC has provided free, fun-filled overnight camp programs for children by partnering with families who face barriers to accessing such programs. ASC has two camp locations, one in Zilker Park (Austin) and the other on Lake Travis (Marble Falls). We offer overnight camp to 760 children ages 8 to 15 through programs during the summer, spring break, and winter break. Campers swim, canoe, hike, learn new skills, create crafts, make music, and much more. During the school year, we engage with our community through seasonal programs, events, and our CIT program for high school students, ages 16 and older. These programs deepen relationships with families and increase access to the life-changing experience of camp.