COMPANY SUMMARY:

The John Stewart Company is a full-service housing management, development and consulting organization that began in 1978 with a commitment to providing high quality service in the affordable housing sector. We work to  enrich the lives of our residents and employees, while delivering our services cost‐effectively, efficiently and with the highest levels of professionalism, compassion, integrity and respect.

 

SUMMARY OF THE POSITION:

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a vital member of the executive leadership team, responsible for turning the John Stewart Company’s (JSCo) strategic vision, mission and goals into timely, efficient, financially successful operational performance. The COO ensures that JSCo’s “back office” functions are appropriately staffed, managed and led to support JSCo’s three primary business activities: multifamily property management, affordable housing development, and construction and maintenance services.  Finally, the COO position will coordinate with JSCo’s Board of Directors, the President/CEO, the President of Development/CREO, Executive Vice President of Property Management, Regional Vice Presidents, the Corporate Controller, and other staff to develop and meet broad organizational goals.

 

Reporting directly to the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the COO is responsible for ensuring the operational excellence, compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, and alignment of business unit activities with strategic goals. This role provides visionary leadership, strategic oversight, transparency, guidance, and coordination of several assigned business unit operations. As such, this role drives strategic initiatives, optimizes processes, and fosters a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

 

The position is equivalent to a Sr. Vice President position, working full-time with exempt status.

 

The COO must be a licensed real estate broker in the state of California or able to become one within 18 months of employment.

 

Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Leadership & Governance

• Work closely with the CEO to develop JSCo’s strategic vision and implement JSCo’s corporate goals and objectives.
• Take a leadership role in establishing performance indicators for all of JSCo’s operational functions and monitoring corporate performance against operating goals.
• Foster an employee culture that supports and promotes JSCo’s overall strategy and objectives.
• Monitor the external environment as it relates to JSCo’s day-to-day operations and anticipate and adapt to significant changes in that environment.
• Assist the CEO in supporting JSCo’s Board of Directors and its Committees, including issues related to overall corporate structure and coordination of all policies and issues.
• Prepare and present reports to JSCo’s Board of Directors on a regular basis and attend meetings as needed.

Human Resources & Payroll

• In conjunction with JSCo’s AVP of Human Resources and Payroll, oversee the formulation and implementation of JSCo’s human resources and payroll policies and procedures, including JSCo’s Employee Handbook, safety programs, employee job classifications and pay-levels, and employee benefit programs.  Communicate HR and payroll strategy, policies, procedures, and issues to the CEO.

Accounting & Financial Reporting

• In conjunction with JSCo’s Controller, oversee the formulation and implementation of JSCo’s accounting policies and procedures, including development and monitoring of the annual corporate operating budget and long-range financial forecasting. Communicate financial and budget strategy, policies, procedures, and issues to the CEO.

Information Technology & Systems

• In conjunction with the AVP of Systems and Technology and our third-party IT services provider, identify, develop and implement technology to support the JSCo’s effective, timely and efficient operation and the delivery of services to its clients.  Communicate IT strategy, policies, procedures, and issues to the CEO.

Training

• In conjunction with the Director of Training, identify, develop and implement a training program to support effective, timely and efficient corporate and property operations.  Communicate training strategy, policy, procedures, and issues to the CEO.

Legal

• In conjunction with the Director – Legal, identify, develop and implement a legal strategy to support effective, timely and efficient corporate and property operations and policies and procedures to limit business risk and provide strong legal defense, as needed.  Communicate legal strategy, policies, procedures, and issues to the CEO.

General/Risk Management

• Support the CEO and JSCo’s Director of Special Projects and Programs in securing corporate insurance policies and tracking claims against such policies.
• Help manage the defense strategy of any significant legal claims against JSCo and the assets we manage.
• Train and establish individual performance expectations for all direct reports and regularly evaluate their performance against corporate objectives.
• Participate in the recruitment and selection process for directly supervised staff and other key executive level positions.
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state and city requirements applicable to JSCo’s corporate operations.
• Serve as a JSCo representative to the greater community, community agencies, constituent groups, funders, and government agencies.
• Other projects as assigned by the CEO.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/CHARACTERISTICS

• Knowledge of organizational development and management principles, human resources, payroll, corporate accounting, training, IT, legal, and property management operations.
• Leadership: Ability to lead, train and motivate teams, inspire confidence, and foster a positive work environment. Experience in managing professionals and guiding them towards common goals.
• Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills and the ability to effectively convey complex ideas, build relationships, negotiate and represent JSCo’s interests to various stakeholders.
• Strategic Thinking: Demonstrated strong business acumen, strategic thinking and analytical skills and the ability to understand organizational challenges, identify opportunities, and develop actionable plans to achieve long-term objectives, including the ability to read, interpret, analyze and develop strategic initiatives and evaluate departmental policies, procedures and documents.
• Problem-Solving: Proven ability to analyze problems, deploy excellent reasoning and analytical skills, generate creative solutions, and make sound decisions under pressure, including the adept ability to anticipate challenges and implement effective solutions.
• Project Management: Ability to manage multiple systemic and extremely complex projects in a time-sensitive environment using strong analytical skills and abilities with attention to consummate customer responsiveness.
• Interpersonal Skills: Excellent interpersonal skills with the demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse internal and external stakeholders, including senior leaders, staff members, clients/property owner, vendors, partners and residents; including the ability to be diplomatic, approachable, possess superior judgment and tact, diplomacy, and adept at conflict resolution.
• Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to work in a collaborative manner with colleagues, internal clients (across different departments and functions within the organization), partners, vendors, residents, stakeholders and outside professionals, and the ability to facilitate communication and foster teamwork to achieve common goals.
• Adaptability: Demonstrated ability to exhibit flexibility and adaptability in a dynamic and fast-paced environment of multiple and possibly shifting priorities, including the ability quickly to adjust to changing priorities, organize and juggle multiple demands to meet established goals and deadlines, navigate ambiguity, and thrive in uncertain situations or in an environment of multiple, shifting and growth priorities.
• Ethical Integrity: Adherence to the highest standards of professional conduct and act with honesty, transparency, trust and credibility.
• Political Savvy: Demonstrated understanding of organizational politics and dynamics of the company and key external partners and the ability to navigate complex relationships and influence decision-making processes effectively.
• Business Acumen: Knowledge of business principles, fiscal management, and industry trends for understanding the broader context in which the organization operates and makes informed strategic decisions.
• Technology: Requires a demonstrated proficiency of current Microsoft office technology and software applications and demonstrated use of such technology/applications on a regular basis.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• 10 years demonstrated leadership in a multifamily, affordable housing environment
• Familiarity with the California multifamily property management industry
• Excellent personnel management skills
• Significant experience in and extensive working knowledge of accounting, human resources, training, payroll, legal, and IT operations
• Hold a valid Real Estate Broker license issued by the California Department of Real Estate, or secure that license within 18 months of employment.

 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 15 or more years progressively responsible experience in corporate affordable housing operations, preferably in multifamily fee management.
• Significant experience leading corporate and real estate risk management activities

 

WORKING CONDITIONS/ PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Environment/ Requirements

• This position deals with people outside the Company (such as residents and clients) on a regular basis including personal, phone and email contacts.
• Sitting and standing is as needed. 

 Benefits for Employees who work 30+ hours/week -

• Medical, dental and vision care; preventative medical care paid at 100%.
• Vacation leave of up to ten days per year in the first year.
• Up to 80 hours of sick time per year.
• Flexible Spending Accounts for Health Care and Dependent Care.
• Company paid Life AD&D Long Term Disability.
• Free, confidential counseling through our Employee Assistance Program.
• Commuter benefit program.
• Discounts for AT&T and ClassPass.
• $100 annual Wellness Reimbursement.
• Matching 401(K) Retirement Savings Plan of up to 2% of your compensation (for any employee who works 20 hours or more per week).

 

Benefits for Employees who work less than 30 hours/week - 

• Free, confidential counseling through our Employee Assistance Program.
• Commuter benefit program.
• Discounts for AT&T and ClassPass.
• $100 annual Wellness Reimbursement.
• Matching 401(K) Retirement Savings Plan of up to 2% of your compensation (for any employee who works 20 hours or more per week)
• Up to 80 hours of sick time per year.

The John Stewart Company provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws.

The John Stewart Company will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance and Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative.

Effective January 1, 2020, the California Consumer Privacy Act requires businesses that meet certain minimum threshold requirements to provide a “notice at collection” to applicants for employment who reside in California.  The notice at collection describes the categories of personal information to be collected about these California applicants and the purposes for using that personal information.  Therefore, we have posted the Company’s “Notice At Collection For California Applicants” here.  Please review this Notice at your convenience.