Chief Operating Officer

## Description

**Position****Description**

*Wheeler Mission Ministries is a privately funded 501(c)3 non-profit, evangelical Christian ministry whose designated purpose is religious. We are a Christ-centered ministry which is dedicated to sharing the Gospel and helping those experiencing homelessness and those in need. Wheeler Mission Ministries considers every position one of ministry and a vital and valued part of our team. Therefore, it is essential that all employees of Wheeler Mission Ministries have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and subscribe to our Mission, Vision, Statement of Faith, Core Values, and**Qualifications for Employment upon hire and continuously while employed. Employees are encouraged and expected to share the Gospel as opportunities arise.*

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| **Job Title:**Chief Operating Officer | **Exempt/Non-Exempt:** Exempt |

| **Reports to:**President & CEO | **Full or Part-time:**Full-Time |

| **Team:**Executive Team | |

| **Position Summary:** | |

| The Chief Operating Officer (COO), reporting to the President/CEO, serves as a key member of Wheeler Mission’s Executive Team and is responsible for ensuring the organization’s mission, strategic priorities, and organizational responsibilities are translated into disciplined operations and consistent organizational performance. As Wheeler Mission’s senior operational leader, the COO is responsible for turning strategy into action by collaborating closely with senior leaders to implement operational plans, establish performance standards, strengthen accountability, and ensure consistent execution across departments. In partnership with the Executive Team, the COO supports sound fiscal management, operational stewardship, resource optimization, strategic planning, operational risk oversight, compliance, and organizational readiness. The COO is expected to lead, mentor, and support leaders and staff while fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, servant leadership, and continuous improvement. Through clear expectations, thoughtful leadership, and consistent communication, the COO will strengthen organizational effectiveness and operational consistency across Indianapolis shelter operations, facilities, food services, safety and security operations, housekeeping, guest services, and operational support functions while helping ensure safe, effective, and guest-centered environments. | |

## Qualifications

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| **Key Duties and Responsibilities** **Brief description of duties in order of priority** | |

**Key Area****:** Strategic and Operational Leadership

• Translate Wheeler Mission’s mission and Strategic Priorities into operational plans and measurable outcomes.
• Partner with the President & CEO and Executive Team to drive organizational planning, decision-making, and operational execution that supports long-term sustainability and life transformation outcomes.
• Establish operational expectations, performance standards, and accountability measures that support clarity, consistency, and coordinated execution across departments.
• Lead ongoing evaluation and improvement of operational structures, workflows, systems, and processes to strengthen efficiency, communication, consistency, and service quality.
• Develop operational metrics and reporting systems to track performance, improve accountability, and support operational decision-making.
• Ensure operational departments maintain compliance with organizational policies, procedures, safety standards, and applicable regulations.
• Develop, effectively communicate, and lead a regular cadence and rhythm to report and track outcomes.

**Key Area:**Operations, Safety, and Guest Services

• Oversee day-to-day Indianapolis shelter operations, including guest services and housekeeping functions, to ensure safe, clean, dependable, and guest-centered environments.
• Ensure organizational preparedness through the development, coordination, and support of safety, security, emergency response, crisis management, and incident response procedures in partnership with operational and Program leadership.
• Ensure operational consistency, structure, dignity, and quality guest care across shelter operations and support services.
• Support leaders and staff in responding appropriately to guest, operational, facility, safety, or emergency situations.
• Collaborate with Program leadership to support operational environments that contribute to life transformation outcomes and positive guest experiences.
• Promote a culture of responsiveness, professionalism, compassion, accountability, and operational excellence throughout operational teams.

**Key Area****:**Facilities, Food Services, and Operational Support

• Collaborate closely with Program leadership to ensure facilities, housekeeping, operational support, and guest services effectively support programming and positive guest experiences.
• Ensure food service operations provide nutritious meals, maintain cleanliness standards, and comply with applicable regulations.
• Evaluate operational needs and recommend improvements related to facilities, equipment, safety, and operational efficiency.
• Partner with Development, Finance, and other organizational leaders to support stewardship, tracking, and accountability for operational resources and in-kind support.
• Oversee vendor relationships, operational contracts, and support services as assigned.
• Ensure operational departments utilize resources responsibly and effectively while supporting organizational priorities and stewardship goals.
• Provide operational oversight for Cornerstone Living, ensuring safe, well-maintained, compliant, and resident-centered housing environments that support housing stability and organizational objectives.

**Key Area****:**Team Leadership, Stewardship, and Organizational Culture

• Lead, mentor, and support operational leaders and teams through coaching, accountability, communication, and encouragement.
• Foster a healthy, mission-driven culture marked by humility, teamwork, servant leadership, responsiveness, and continuous improvement.
• Develop leadership capacity within operational departments through training, performance management, and ongoing support.
• Partner with Human Resources/Organizational Development to support workforce planning, employee relations, leadership development, and succession planning.
• Partner with the CFO and Executive Team to support budgeting, operational stewardship, risk management, and organizational compliance.

**REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS:**

This position provides supervision and guidance to operational leadership staff including

• Director of Facilities
• Director of Program Administration
• Director of Food Services

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• | Competencies Required | | |
• | Directs Work | Prioritizing and Planning Work | Problem Solving |
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