Who We Are:
Our vision is to grant the wish of every eligible child. Through our mission, we are uniting communities to grant life-changing wishes. As the world’s largest wish-granting organization, we strive to create a sense of community and an environment where we warmly embrace our wish families, volunteers, and colleagues.
Joining Make-A-Wish means becoming part of a mission that believes in the power of a wish.
Location:
Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We do not sponsor employment visas or other immigration processes to attain or maintain employment eligibility.
Remote positions are open to applicants based anywhere in the continental U.S. Hybrid positions are open to applicants based in the Phoenix, Arizona area.
The Chief Operations Officer is a remote position.
Opportunity & Impact
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) will serve as the CEO's trusted partner, providing strategic leadership, management, and vision to ensure that effective organizational controls, administrative processes, and reporting procedures are in place to support sustainable growth.
Specific responsibilities include:
● Provide executive leadership and oversight of day-to-day operations to ensure alignment with the organization’s mission, vision, and strategic goals.
● Lead and integrate core operational functions, including finance, human resources, information technology, legal, compliance, and administration.
● Develop and implement operational strategies, policies, and systems that promote efficiency, scalability, and organizational effectiveness.
● Partner with the CEO and executive leadership team to drive strategic planning and execution across the organization.
● Drive AI enablement across the organization, co-leading with the CIO to move Make-A-Wish from nonprofit benchmarks to for-profit standards of technology-driven transformation.
● Oversee financial performance, including budgeting, forecasting, and resource allocation, ensuring fiscal responsibility and sustainability.
● Establish performance metrics and monitor outcomes to ensure achievement of organizational goals related to mission impact, financial health, compliance, and stakeholder satisfaction.
● Lead, coach, and hold accountable senior leadership team members, fostering a culture of collaboration, transparency, and high performance.
● Ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and organizational policies, maintaining strong internal controls and risk management practices.
● Drive continuous improvement initiatives using data, analytics, and operational insights to enhance effectiveness and efficiency.
● Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including the Board of Directors, partners, and vendors, to advance organizational objectives.
● Serve as a visible and inspiring external presence, capable of presenting alongside CEOs and public figures, appearing in media, and earning the trust of chapters, donors, and the broader Make-A-Wish community.
● Support fundraising and development efforts by aligning operational capabilities with revenue strategies and donor expectations.
● Lead change management efforts and organizational transformation initiatives as needed.
● Champion Make-A-Wish's culture internally and externally, modeling the belief that how you do what you do is just as important as what you do, and building an environment where high performance and mission impact are inseparable.
Professional Qualifications
● Demonstrated ability to lead complex, multi-functional operations and drive organizational effectiveness and transformation initiatives.
● Strong understanding of financial management, budgeting, forecasting, and resource allocation within a nonprofit environment.
● Experience leading seasoned executives across human resources, organizational development, and talent management.
● Familiarity with legal and regulatory requirements affecting nonprofit organizations.
● Understanding of strategic planning processes and performance measurement frameworks.
● Knowledge of information systems, data analytics, and technology infrastructure to support operations and decision-making.
● Track record of building, leading, and motivating high-performing teams while fostering a culture of accountability and collaboration.
● Familiarity with nonprofit management principles, including governance, compliance, funding structures, and mission-driven program delivery, strongly preferred.
Personal Characteristics
● Mission-driven, results-oriented leader who values both outcomes and operating principles, with a belief that execution matters as much as impact.
● Charismatic, compelling presence who builds trust with chapters, inspires employees, and engages confidently with CEOs, board members, and public figures.
● Fast-moving leader who brings for-profit pace and ambition, balanced with strong emotional
intelligence to bring people along the journey.
● Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to use data to inform decisions.
● Strategic thinker and business partner who can zoom out, see the big picture, and help chart a clear path forward.
● Humble, confident, and deeply collaborative; leads through influence and gets results through other people.
● Ability to build, lead, and motivate high-performing teams while fostering a culture of accountability and collaboration.
● Drawn to the mission, energized by the idea of doing the most meaningful work of their career at one of the world's most beloved brands.
What We Offer:
Benefits
- Comprehensive benefit package, effective day 1: Medical, Vision*, Dental*, Wellness
- Competitive compensation with annual incentive potential
- Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account Options
- Health Reimbursement Account fully funded by Make-A-Wish America
- Short Term Disability*, Long Term Disability* and Life Insurance
- Additional Insurance Plans: Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, Pet Insurance through Figo
- 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with 5% match after one year of service
- Eligibility for student loan forgiveness through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
- The organization will send a laptop, 24” monitor, and a docking station/adaptor to new hires
Time Off
- Competitive PTO starting at 15 days, with enhanced time off for senior roles
- 10 Sick Days
- 11 Paid Holidays
- 2 Volunteer Days after one year of service
- 2 Personal Days accrued annually
- Parental Leave
Also...
- Employee Awards and Recognition Programs
- Individual and Leadership Development
- Discounts and special offers for theme parks, events, hotels, concerts, and movie tickets
*Monthly premiums paid for the employee for vision, dental, and short/long term disability.
Skills Required
- Demonstrated ability to lead complex, multi-functional operations
- Strong understanding of financial management, budgeting, forecasting, and resource allocation
- Experience leading seasoned executives across human resources and organizational development
- Familiarity with legal and regulatory requirements affecting nonprofit organizations
- Understanding of strategic planning processes and performance measurement frameworks
- Knowledge of information systems and data analytics
- Track record of building and motivating high-performing teams
What We Do
Make-A-Wish America is the world's leading children's wish-granting organization, dedicated to creating life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Founded in 1980, it has granted over 600,000 wishes worldwide.
