Chief Operating Officer – LeSar Holdings

Summary of Position:

LeSar Holdings is recruiting an experienced and dynamic Chief Operating Officer (COO) to work in partnership with the CEO and other C-suite executives to provide leadership and management of LeSar Holdings and the LeSar portfolio of firms. This COO role will have daily responsibility for managing LeSar portfolio governance, contracting and procurement, overall coordination and management of portfolio-wide policies and procedures, outside legal firms, and the daily management of LeSar Holdings, as well as workplan oversight of senior teams in one or two other portfolio firms.

In coordination with other C-suite executives, the COO will also have roles in the development and improvement of portfolio-wide policies and procedures including risk management strategies, the establishment of new entities, the acquisition of new firms, and disposition or dilution of ownership interests in the portfolio firms. The COO works closely with the Chief of Staff (COS), the Chief People Officer (CPO), and the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to support and enhance the high performance of the LeSar portfolio of firms. Portfolio firms are dually managed by the CEO who provides strategic leadership and either the COS or the COO who provides daily management and oversight. The COS is the daily manager of LeSar Development Consultants and LeSar Support Services, and within the LeSar Holdings company dually oversees the CPO along with the CEO. The COO is the daily manager of the remainder of the LeSar Holdings team and oversees the marketing and communications team, the procurement team, and dually oversees the CFO along with the CEO. The COO will also manage the daily work plans of one or two other portfolio firms to be determined based on the candidate’s qualifications.

The COO is a highly cross-functional role that will work directly with the President & CEO to ensure coordination across multiple businesses. This role requires the ability to balance the demands of a fast-paced environment with alignment to the strategic goals and the overall vision and mission driving each portfolio firm.

The role of the COO is as a partner and complement to the CEO and the C-suite team. The COO works with the CEO and C-suite team to oversee, develop, and implement the multi-year strategic plans and annual business plans including annual growth goals and annual budgets.

Ideal Candidate:

The ideal candidate is an experienced business professional who enjoys working in a collaborative and mission-driven environment. They have excellent interpersonal and organizational skills, a strong work ethic, and can work both independently and as part of teams. Prior experience in business senior leadership, business operations, law, problem solving, management, and governance roles a plus. A demonstrated commitment to cultivating and maintaining an equitable and diverse work environment is required. The COO will be a natural problem solver who is analytical and structured in their thinking and will drive coordination and efficiency by improving systems and processes across operations. The ideal candidate is also tactical, collaborative, intellectual, and reflective with demonstrated business acumen. The COO will relish working in an entrepreneurial growth company and will work well in a partnership with the CEO and team members across all firms. The COO can manage upward, across, and downward, has a strong sense of self, and is capable of vigorous dialogue and thinking.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following on the list below and other duties that may be assigned.

The COO role calls for an adaptive and flexible individual that excels in the ability to:

• Translate a strategic vision into action
• Drive business priorities from conception to completion
• Serve as a strategic thought partner, confidante, and sounding board to CEO and other C-suite executives
• Triage problems and reduce distractions, allowing the CEO to focus on what’s most important to the company
• Create cohesion and inspire engagement in the company and portfolio visions
• Focus on structure, establish processes, and create efficiencies within the highest ranks of the organization and its affiliates
• Serve as a reliable and trusted ally to the CEO and manage day-to-day decision making in all areas of responsibility assigned

The COO has direct responsibility for:

• Driving the LeSar Holdings company and other portfolio companies as assigned to achieve profitability, cash flow, and business goals and objectives
• Creating and managing the overall governance structures, including boards, advisory boards, and team member work groups, and developing consolidated operational reporting covering operational and financial goals for of the portfolio of firms
• Providing timely, accurate, and complete reports on the operating condition of the portfolio firms by leading the other C-suite executives in the development and maintenance of a portfolio-wide dashboard system within ClickUp, our cloud-based work and project management platform, and Microsoft BI, our financial reporting and dashboard system

The COO will provide strategic and organizational support for the CEO across the multiple functions, including:

• Collaborating with the C-suite management team and business line team leaders to develop and implement plans for the operational infrastructure of systems, processes, and personnel designed to accommodate rapid growth objectives of the organization
• Identifying and prioritizing internal and external opportunities for the CEO’s consideration
• Assisting with special critical projects for the CEO, as needed

The COO must possess deep knowledge of California and its regions and have a working knowledge of the regulatory and policy making processes in California at the state, regional, and local levels.

Required Qualifications

Minimum qualifications:

• Graduate level degree in business administration, organizational development,
  leadership studies, public policy, law, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 to 15 years of related professional work experience with demonstrated increase in responsibilities.

Work experience must demonstrate track record in adaptability, flexibility, accountability, leadership, and teamwork skills and ability to work under deadlines. Previous experience working in an entrepreneurial business environment desired. The ideal candidate is committed to serving the public, private, and nonprofit sectors and is a loyal, empathic, and servant leader.

Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands, communicate via telephone, and reach with hands and arms. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Travel Expectation: In a post-COVID-19 environment, this position is remote. However, a person in this position will be expected to travel to San Diego approximately quarterly and be available for travel primarily within California including occasional overnight stays of one to two nights at a time.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Salaries are set by title and band: Base range of $140,000 to $160,000 annual salary with potential performance bonuses of up to 25% of base salary based on an established work plan, and potential for additional bonus tied to portfolio-level financial performance. Performance bonuses are paid quarterly based on meeting quarterly work plan goals.
• Participation in firm’s medical, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance plans with firm contributions of up to $500 per month
• Participation in the firm’s 401(k) plan, with firm contributions of 3% of compensation per plan year (subject to vesting requirements)
• Reimbursement of up to $100 per month for cell phone and/or home internet expenses and up to $25 per month for home office supplies
• 11 paid holidays per year
• Request paid time off as needed

Application Process

Submit the following materials to [email protected].

Submission and Interview dates: The preferred date of application submission is no later than Friday, November 18, 2022. Interviews of qualified applicants will begin that week. The position will remain open until filled.

1.) Cover letter indicating:

• Interest in the position
• Relevant skills and experience
• Estimated available start date

2.) Resume/CV
3.) Writing sample, which may include

• A professional presentation, work plan, or strategic planning document

4. Three professional references

LeSar Holdings is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications without regard to race, ethnicity, religious belief, national origin, gender identity and/or expression, age, disability status, medical history, sexual orientation, marital or family status, past or present military service, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the State of California. LeSar Holdings is also committed
to affirmative action in the hiring of staff and encourages employment applications from people who are representative of the culturally and ethnically diverse communities that we serve.