Chief Operating Officer

The American Cancer Society Chief Operating Officer THE OPPORTUNITY As the American Cancer Society (ACS) advances an ambitious mission and creates and delivers a new strategic plan to scale impact, a new Chief Operating Officer (COO) will play a pivotal role in executing a complex enterprise strategy and operations. The COO will serve as a critical integrator, operator, and strategic partner to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Executive Team, and will strengthen execution, increase organizational alignment, facilitate collaboration, and ensure that enterprise investments deliver measurable outcomes. Reporting to the new CEO, Shane Jacobson, the COO will serve as a key member of the Executive Team with clear line authority over enterprise operations and responsibility for delivering the annual operating plan. This role is intentionally designed to complement the CEO's span of control, enabling the CEO to focus on mission leadership, external relations, fundraising, partnership engagement and creation, and board relations. With a focus on aligning resources to priorities, simplifying how work gets done, and building a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement, the COO will be charged with collaborating with and through members of the Executive Team to enhance mission delivery. They will oversee core capabilities that enable ACS, and its advocacy affiliate, the ACS Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), to operate at scale, including Enterprise Strategy, Human Resources, Information Technology, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Enterprise Communications, and an Operations Team. ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND The American Cancer Society exists because the burden of cancer is unacceptably high. We are committed to ending cancer as we know it, for everyone. Through our mission pillar work in advocacy, research, and patient support, along with our development efforts, we are working to reduce cancer disparities and advance health equity. ACS is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, with approximately 3,130 employees. ACS and ACS CAN rely on the strength of 1.3 million dedicated volunteers. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Strategy-to-Execution Leadership: - Translate the ACS strategic plan into a coherent annual operating plan with clear goals, SMART metrics, and milestones. - Ensure enterprise and cross-pillar initiatives are appropriately resourced and supported by clear execution and change management plans. - Monitor delivery against commitments, driving execution discipline and course correction when milestones or outcomes are at risk. Enterprise Operations and Infrastructure: - Lead and optimize core operational functions, including Enterprise Strategy, Human Resources, Information Technology, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Enterprise Communications, and an Operations Team. - Standardize and streamline operational processes to reduce complexity and improve organizational agility. Cross-Pillar Integration and Change Management: - Serve as the primary integrator for cross-pillar initiatives. - Lead enterprise change management to sequence initiatives thoughtfully and support teams through transitions. Technology, Data and Innovation: - Advance responsible adoption of AI, automation, and digital tools to improve effectiveness and decision quality. - Build and oversee a Center of Excellence for data stewardship, analytics, and enterprise insights. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS - Significant senior executive experience (typically 15+ years) leading complex, multisite or multi-pillar organizations, ideally in large nonprofits, health, or mission-driven enterprises. - Demonstrated success as an enterprise-level operator with line responsibility for multiple functions such as strategy, operations, HR, IT, project management, and/or communications. - Proven track record translating strategy into executable plans and delivering large-scale initiatives on time and on budget. - Experience overseeing technology and data-enabled change in complex environments. - A strong preference for prior exposure to, or a passion for, mission-driven work connected to cancer or a large nonprofit. EDUCATION A bachelor's degree is required. An advanced degree is preferred. COMPENSATION The anticipated salary range for this position is $500,000 - $600,000 along with a highly competitive incentive plan. LOCATION ACS is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. The COO's home base is flexible with a regular presence in Atlanta, DC, and nationally. KORN FERRY CONTACTS Lorraine Lavet | Sector Leader, Association Practice | (703) 919-6540 | Lorraine.Lavet@KornFerry.com Divina Gamble | Sector Leader, Nonprofit Practice | (202) 355-3834 | Divina.Gamble@KornFerry.com Tara Vittese | Senior Associate | (609) 969-8070 | Tara.Vittese@KornFerry.com