Chief Operating Officer COO

Job Description

Job Title: Chief Operations Officer (Part-Time)

Reports to: President & CEO

Hours: 20 hours per week to start

Location: Remote

Compensation: Commensurate with experience

About Young Adults with Epilepsy (YAWE)

Young Adults with Epilepsy (YAWE) is a nonprofit organization founded in 2023 to meet the unmet needs of young adults living with epilepsy. Through peer support, education, advocacy, and creative content, YAWE empowers young people to live full, connected lives with confidence and community. YAWE is grounded in values of inclusion, lived experience, and youth-led leadership.

Position Overview

The Chief Operations Officer (COO) will be the key strategic partner to the President & CEO, helping lead Young Adults with Epilepsy (YAWE) through its next phase of growth. As a core member of the leadership team, the COO will oversee internal operations, team development, and execution of mission-driven programs. This role is ideal for a collaborative, systems-oriented leader who is energized by building structure, empowering teams, and helping a fast-growing nonprofit scale with heart, integrity, and impact.

This is a hands-on leadership position perfect for someone who can balance strategic thinking with operational execution, and who thrives in a purpose-driven, startup-like environment.

Key Responsibilities

Organizational Operations

Build, refine, and manage internal systems and workflows across departments (Programs, Fundraising, Digital, Peer Support)

Oversee internal project timelines, budgets, and progress to ensure alignment with strategic priorities

Support HR processes including onboarding, documentation, and contractor/volunteer coordination

Ensure organizational compliance with internal policies, nonprofit standards, and relevant regulations

Team and Culture

Partner with CEO to foster a positive, collaborative, and accountable team culture

Facilitate internal communication and meeting rhythms to promote transparency and alignment

Mentor and support team leads, ensuring clarity of roles, goals, and expectations

Implement and oversee a twice-yearly performance and contract review process for staff, contractors, and key volunteers, focusing on role clarity, deliverables, and continuous improvement while maintaining contractor classification standards

Program & Initiative Support

Oversee cross-functional execution of key initiatives (e.g., Walk 4 Epilepsy, peer support programs, Giving Tuesday)

Support monitoring and evaluation of program outcomes and key performance indicators

Ensure effective use of operational tools (e.g., Google Workspace, CRM, etc.) to track impact and increase efficiency

Finance & Resource Management

Work with CEO and bookkeeper to manage budgets, reporting, and grant compliance

Identify opportunities to improve cost-efficiency and operational sustainability

Support grant application processes with operational data and metrics

Strategic Support

Collaborate with CEO to translate strategic vision into measurable action plans

Represent YAWE in strategic meetings as needed

Participate in board engagement, reporting, and strategic planning

Regularly assess team capacity and organizational structure to ensure alignment with strategic goals

Support succession planning by identifying internal growth opportunities and talent development needs

Qualifications

5+ years of nonprofit or mission-driven operations, program, or organizational leadership

Proven experience building internal systems, leading teams, and managing multiple projects

Strong interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills

Highly organized, self-directed, and able to thrive in a startup environment

Deep commitment to YAWE’s mission, values, and the epilepsy community

Experience with tools like Google Workspace, and project management platforms preferred

Lived experience with epilepsy — either personally or through a close loved one — is strongly preferred

What We Offer

Opportunity to shape and scale a movement making a lasting impact for young adults with epilepsy

Flexible, part-time remote work with potential to grow into a full-time leadership role

A collaborative, inclusive, and mission-driven culture where lived experience and creativity are valued

How to Apply

Please submit your resume and a short cover letter to

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Company Description

Mission

At Young Adults with Epilepsy (YAWE), our mission is to foster resilience and independence in young adults with epilepsy. Through education, empowerment, and sustained support, we aim to transform lives by facilitating access to resources, promoting awareness, and creating a nurturing community that embraces diversity and inclusivity.

Vision

Our vision at Young Adults with Epilepsy (YAWE) is to revolutionize epilepsy and mental health care for young adults, promoting optimal health outcomes and quality of life. We aspire to dismantle the stigma surrounding epilepsy, fostering a secure and open YAWE community where acceptance thrives and individuals feel safe to share their experiences and learn from others.

Part-time

Fully remote