About PRACTICE Benefit Corporation PRACTICE is a mission-driven business that believes in the power of public schools to build the next generation of urban-educated leaders. We are a B-Corp that partners with principals, teachers, and parents to close the opportunity gap in urban schools. PRACTICE’s groundbreaking approach seeks to level the playing field by reimagining what is possible for urban students. Global leaders, national news outlets, and local politicians have praised our work. PRACTICE was founded in 2010 at Cornell University by Karim Abouelnaga, a first-generation public school alumnus who wanted to provide educational opportunities for kids like him. PRACTICE has served more than 20,000 students in the decade since, created more than 1,000 seasonal jobs, and helped train more than 850 aspiring educators. Our work includes a rigorous, culturally responsive curriculum taught by Education Champions that look like the kids they serve; customized private tutoring solutions for one-on-one learning taught by our most accomplished Education Champions, and software solutions designed to facilitate greater connectivity among parents and educators and provide real-time insights about what is happening in and out of the classroom to give students the support they need to succeed. As part of a small, committed team of like-minded professionals, you will have the opportunity to be part of the solution to ensure that a student’s zip code doesn’t determine their future. This is an opportunity to be at the forefront of creating long-lasting, sustainable change across our K-12 school system. To learn more about PRACTICE, please visit www.practicebc.com. About the Founding Chief Operating Officer Role PRACTICE seeks a seasoned Chief Operating Officer (COO) with a proven track record of scaling companies to join our executive team. As the Founding COO, you will serve as a strategic thought partner to the CEO and executive leadership team in driving our growth and expansion efforts while ensuring operational excellence and superior customer service. Our current revenue is in the $5M-$10M range, and we aim to grow 40% annually with 20% EBITDA. Your leadership and vision will be pivotal in shaping processes and teams that develop and deliver our products and services. This position is a "hands-on" individual contributor and a leader overseeing the operations team while working collaboratively with the leaders in sales, marketing, finance, people, and technology functions. You will manage a team of 3 FT employees and over 200 seasonal employees. Key Responsibilities: Strategic Leadership Serve as a strategic and trusted partner to the CEO; help lead the organization through its next growth phase and ensure PRACTICE’s mission, strategic plan, KPIs, and financial goals are achieved. Lead executive leadership team meetings; ensure teams work collaboratively to achieve or exceed KPIs. In collaboration with the executive leadership team, evaluate the current business model and organizational structure and recommend and implement changes as needed. Collaborate across the organization to identify operational challenges, develop innovative solutions to remove roadblocks, and drive continuous improvement and operational efficiency. Serve as a Brand Ambassador and drive a collaborative and positive work environment that embodies PRACTICE’s core values: strive for excellence, act entrepreneurially, empower revolutionary change, and be a conscious capitalist. Work with the Board of Directors to communicate timely information related to goals and KPIs. Perform other related duties as assigned by the CEO. Operations Management Establish a vision and definition of operational excellence; develop and implement strategies with success metrics to drive high performance and quality. Leverage technology and AI to design scalable systems, processes, and procedures that streamline operations and maximize efficiency. Lead the development and implementation of risk management strategies; develop action plans to mitigate risks proactively. Develop and refine tools and resources for improved communication and collaboration (including file sharing), enabling staff to be productive in a remote environment. Collaborate with the executive leadership team to design an effective business and organizational model that meets customer’s needs and exceeds expectations. Create an iterative playbook to replicate our successful expansion model in other cities. Ensure the organization is financially sustainable and profitable by optimizing staffing and operating efficiencies. Team Leadership Build out and manage a high-performing and efficient operations team to support a growing remote organization. Oversee the hiring, onboarding, management, and evaluation of all operations staff. Ensure clearly defined roles and responsibilities; hold the team accountable against KPIs. Serve as an exceptional role model as a leader and manager; support and develop direct reports. Incorporate a strong customer service orientation into all teamwork aspects. Qualifications: A bachelor’s degree is required; an advanced degree in business, education, or a related field is preferred. Minimum ten years of related experience in progressive leadership roles; experience in the education sector is a plus. Prior startup experience with a track record of driving growth and scaling organizations. Business savvy leader; sales, HR, and finance experience a plus. Entrepreneurial mindset with a passion for learning, innovation, and problem-solving. Passionate about working in education and deeply understanding the challenges and opportunities in closing the achievement gap. Strong leadership and management skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate teams to achieve excellence. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Results-driven mindset with a focus on achieving revenue and profit targets. A team player with a low ego and a “roll-up-your-sleeves” and “get it done” mentality. Ability to travel quarterly for in-person meetings. Compensation & Benefits: We aim to be a responsible and supportive employer and cultivate an inclusive work environment. Salary Range: $160,000 to $225,000, depending on experience. Additional compensation is an annual bonus of up to 15% of the base salary. Additionally, the COO will have access to an Executive Coach, and PRACTICE plans to introduce an employee stock program by Fall 2024. Benefits: PRACTICE offers a comprehensive and generous benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) retirement program, and unlimited paid time off. We offer generous paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s, designated meeting-free Fridays, and one mandatory flex day off each month. We also offer tuition reimbursement, student loan repayment of up to $5,250, and charitable gift matches. This role is remote, but the COO must commit to the Eastern time zone work schedule. Application Process PRACTICE has engaged DGW Group to lead the search for our Chief Operating Officer role. Interested candidates should apply by May 10, 2024.
Posted On: Thursday, April 4, 2024