Position: Chief Operating Officer

Organization: National Fire Protection Association

Location: Remote

Reporting Relationship: President & Chief Executive Officer

Website:  https://www.nfpa.org/

Founded in 1896, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is a global, self-funded, nonprofit organization devoted to eliminating death, injury, property, and economic loss due to fire, electrical, and related hazards. The association delivers information and knowledge through more than 300 consensus codes and standards, as well as through research, training, education, outreach, and advocacy; and by partnering with others who share an interest in furthering the NFPA mission.

NFPA has 300 employees and approximately 10,000 global volunteers who make up NFPA’s 250+ technical committees. NFPA is based in Quincy, MA, with offices throughout the United States and Canada.

NFPA serves a diverse group of stakeholders across the fire, electrical, and life safety communities who utilize the codes and standards, trainings, professional certifications, research and public education material, as well as become members of the association.

On March 28, 2024, NFPA® announced the establishment of a new entity, NFPA Global Solutions™, a separate wholly owned NFPA for-profit corporation, aimed at providing greater influence on fire, life, and electrical safety to advance the NFPA mission. NFPA also announced NFPA Global Advisors™, a new business line within NFPA Global Solutions, focused on offering services to governments and companies around the world related to the implementation of the NFPA Fire & Life Safety Ecosystem™.   

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a newly created position that will serve as a key member of the senior leadership team and second in command. Reporting to the President & CEO, the COO will perform an instrumental role in leading NFPA to achieve continued growth by facilitating cross-functional teamwork in a highly collaborative environment with the aim of delivering improved and optimized operating capacity, strong financial results, and expanded demand for NFPA’s materials and products with existing and potential customers and clients.

Specific responsibilities include the following:

• Serves as a strategic partner and trusted advisor to the President & CEO, Board, and Senior Leadership Team, leveraging key insights to build robust and dynamic operational and business strategies, both short- and long-term, to advance the mission and impact of NFPA. Drives initiatives that support sustainable growth and innovation.

• Oversees the planning and preparation of budgets related to the assigned responsibilities, including costs, operating expenses and outlays, capital improvements and equipment purchases.

• Administers NFPA’s operational P&L effectively and systematically evaluates overall operational performance against budget and growth objectives; implementing corrective measures as needed; maintaining transparent communication with NFPA leaders on these actions.

• Partners with other key departments of NFPA for shared services that serve the operating areas such as Marketing, IT, and Finance, including service levels and expected costs ensuring efficient operations and strategic alignment with organizational goals.

• Helps to ensure that NFPA understands competitors, markets, and customers through intimate customer knowledge, market information, and competitive intelligence. Determine the new offerings and tools and oversee the execution of the development and rollout to the customer base.

• Provides support to the Board and relevant Board committees, including presentations at meetings as requested.

• Develops and implements innovative ways to drive change and increase demand for NFPA’s materials and products to attract and retain customers. Creates and executes plans that promote quality, service, and growth with an eye towards efficiencies and synergies; ensures coordination of services within the team and cross-functionally to achieve a proactive approach to growth.

• Measures and analyzes current and potential revenue streams, offerings, and relationships to optimize business growth and revenue strategy with the Senior Leadership Team.

• Evaluates, improves, and develops new systems, processes, controls, and procedures, to enhance the overall efficiency of the association, ensure excellent service, and increase engagement with members, customers, and staff.

• Responsible for oversight of contact center and warehouse functions including establishing and monitoring appropriate metrics to measure and, over time, improve efficiency of operation.

• Attracts, retains, develops, and engages strong diverse teams that execute NFPA’s organizational priorities to achieve goals and deliver against key metrics. Demonstrates commitment to efforts in diversity, equity, inclusion.

• Establishes key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure organizational performance and success. Regularly assesses and reports on progress towards goals to the executive team and the board of directors.

• Through effective management, cultivates a culture that values teamwork and accountability, and allows for a strong and productive employee experience. Aligns staff priorities and resources to support NFPA’s overall goals and objectives.

• Shows a deep commitment to the organization's overall mission and passion and respect for the standards and safety industry.

• Demonstrates an ability to quickly become conversant in the organization’s work to communicate with all relevant constituencies.

• Consistently demonstrates The NFPA Way to Bring Passion, Be Curious, Be Bold, Get Connected, and Own It!

The COO will be critical in driving operational excellence, fostering innovation, and advancing the mission of NFPA within the safety and standards industry. They will have demonstrated experience navigating complex operational changes, with the ability to develop and execute strategic plans that drive organizational growth and success.

• 15 years of relevant experience in business operations / development with a diverse background in product development, fulfillment, and particularly a focus on digital product development.

• Experience in organizational financial management, including budgeting, forecasting, accruals, financial planning, and audit compliance.

• An ability to identify organizational needs and align resources to support mission and objectives.

• Proven ability to build, lead, and engage diverse and cross-functional teams, fostering a culture of collaboration, diversity, equity, inclusion, respect, empowerment, and innovation.

• Exceptional interpersonal, influence, and relationship-building skills, crucial for engaging with a large cross-section of constituents effectively.

• Strong strategic and critical thinking skills, with the ability to identify organizational needs and align resources to support mission and objectives.

• Technology savvy, capable of identifying and implementing technology solutions to support operational efficiency and growth.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate and negotiate effectively with stakeholders at all levels.

• Effective at anticipating and proactively managing organizational risk, with strong analytical and problem-solving skills. The agility to pivot and lead change as appropriate.

• Courage and confidence to prioritize and navigate complex situations with diplomacy and a highly collaborative leadership style.

• Demonstrated highest levels of ethics, integrity, credibility, and character.

Bachelor’s degree required. Advanced degree highly preferred.

Remote position: some travel required (up to 25%).

A competitive compensation package will be provided to outstanding prospective candidates.

The National Fire Protection Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome diversity in our workforce and encourage all qualified applicants to apply.

Lorraine Lavet

Senior Client Leader

Association Practice Leader

(703) 919-6540

Lorraine.Lavet@KornFerry.com

Becky Graham

Principal

(703) 599-2808

Becky.Graham@KornFerry.com

Sophie Carr

Associate

(484) 425-1607

Sophia.Carr@KornFerry.com

Emily Lynch

Senior Project Coordinator

(703) 498-7227

Emily.Reda@kornferry.com