Chief Operating Officer

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Location: Cedar Rapids, Iowa (In-person role that must be able to travel to satellite sites in Ankeny, Dubuque and Bettendorf)

Position Type: Full-Time, Exempt

Starting Salary: $120,000/year commensurate upon experience

About Foundation 2 Crisis Services

Foundation 2 Crisis Services is a mission-driven, non-profit organization that provides critical crisis intervention and prevention services across Iowa. We operate a 24/7 crisis center, including phone, text, and chat services. We also operate an emergency youth shelter, mental health support groups, community-based crisis programs, training, and more. We have been saving lives for over 50 years. Join our team today!

Overview of the role

Foundation 2 Crisis Services is seeking an experienced and results-oriented Chief Operating Officer (COO) to provide senior leadership and high-level oversight of the organization’s day-to-day operations and program services.

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the COO is responsible for leading and managing all the agency’s programs, including statewide crisis services as a provider answering the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. The COO is a member of the senior leadership team whose role works to translate strategic vision into efficient mission delivery and operations. It is the responsibility of the COO and all agency leaders to continue to foster and grow our organization’s culture focused on employee wellbeing and support.

The ideal candidate will be innovative, a problem solver, a quick and decisive thinker and a leader who is able to foster positive relationships both internally and externally. This position serves as part of the on-call rotation for emergent consultation of our 24/7 programming.

Benefits:

• The annual base salary for this position is $120,000, commensurate with the successful candidate’s education, relevant professional experience and qualifications.
• This position will receive flexible benefit dollars that can be used toward medical insurance and other benefits. Funds not used for benefits will be added to your paycheck as taxable income. To learn more about the Foundation 2 benefit package visit: https://bit.ly/F2Benefits
• Generous paid time off including floating mental wellness days. Full-time, exempt employees earn approximately 5 weeks paid time off per year.
• Quarterly wellness benefit reimbursements to support wellbeing.
• Two weeks of paid parental leave following the birth or adoption of a child.
• Optional pet insurance to cover emergency expenses.
• Retirement plans with Foundation 2 matching contributions.
• Go to sleep at night knowing that the work you did matters. Foundation 2 staff save lives every day.

Who You Are:

• Role Model and Leader: You are a mentor and compassionate leader who is excited about supporting staff and colleagues.
• Curious and Passionate: You are excited to grow and rarely satisfied with the status quo.
• Client-Centered: You are dedicated and passionate about working with individuals in crisis.
• Flexible. You understand people are complex and solutions often require a team approach.
• Team Player. You enjoy working with individuals from diverse backgrounds and are proud to represent your programs.
• Compassionate. You have compassion for clients and a willingness to understand and exercise trauma-informed care practices.
• Positive. You recognize the power of a positive attitude and have the desire to build positive relationships with coworkers and clients.

What You’ll Do:

• Directly and/or indirectly supervise operational staff, including Director of Quality and Training, Director of Crisis Services, Director of Youth & Family Services and Clinical Director; indirectly supervise 100+ employees.
• Ensure high-quality service delivery, monitor programmatic outcomes and data and compliance with all contractual, state, association and regulatory standards, professional growth and accountability for direct reports. Support teams in meeting these goals.
• Evaluate program activities and assess risk regarding the care of those access services
• Monitor and manage program budgets, in collaboration with the CEO and CFO
• Participate in staff meetings, board committee meetings, and community meetings as required and positively and progressively represent Foundation 2.
• Support direct reports and complete as needed all programmatic reporting, including monthly and quarterly, to funders, stakeholders, Foundation 2 leadership, etc.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with community stakeholders and partners, contract holders/funders, government agencies, municipalities, etc. through participation on boards, taskforces, and community meetings while always positively representing Foundation 2 and its programs. Provide community education and speaking engagements as needed.
• Work strategically with agency leadership to develop and implement strategic and programmatic initiatives.
• Maintain and increase relevant knowledge through participation in classes, workshops, internal and external training for a minimum of 12 hours per year.

What you need

• Bachelor’s degree in human services, management or relevant field. Degrees from other disciplines will be considered with requisite experience; master's degree preferred.
• 10+ years professional experience, 5 years in senior leadership including supervisory roles with a strong preference to those in the nonprofit field.
• Expertise in youth services, crisis services or human services experience required; knowledge of the child welfare system preferred.
• Proficient in the Microsoft Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams and SharePoint.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Valid driver’s license and must be insurable by the agency auto insurance policy.
• Pass all background and fingerprint checks completed by Foundation 2.
• Submit copy of college degree(s) or transcript as required by licensure for personnel file.

Your application:

We’re excited to hear from you! All questions will be answered during the interview process.

Resumes, applications and cover letter accepted until November 27, 2026.

Pay: From $120,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person