Chief Operating Officer
THE OPPORTUNITY
Filling in the Blanks (FITB) is seeking a Chief Operating Officer (COO) to serve as the organizational backbone that enables our mission to scale. As second-in-command, the COO will turn mission and strategy into action—bringing structure, clarity, capacity, and momentum to FITB’s work to fight childhood hunger across Fairfield, Westchester, and Putnam counties. The COO will build the systems, teams, and operations that enable FITB to deliver healthy food to more than 10,000 children every week with the efficiency, safety, and dignity they deserve.
A core priority for the incoming COO will be strengthening and unifying systems and operations across the organization, creating the connective tissue that allows FITB’s programs and teams to thrive without operating in silos. The COO will oversee day-to-day operational health, foster a strong and collaborative team culture, and ensure that FITB has the infrastructure and capacity to support continued growth.
The ideal candidate will be a gifted implementer and steady, trusted leader who brings deep emotional intelligence, a bias toward action, and an authentic passion for FITB’s mission. This is a rare opportunity to lead operations at an organization with proven impact and real momentum. The COO will lead a talented team that includes the Director of Operations, Director of Development, Director of Finance and Administration, and Office & Marketing Coordinator, and will play a defining role in how FITB strengthens its organization, scales its reach, and advances its mission in the years ahead.
ABOUT FILLING IN THE BLANKS
No child should go hungry just because the school week ended. That simple, urgent idea is what led New Canaan community activists Shawnee Knight and Tina Kramer to found Filling in the Blanks (FITB) in 2013—a Norwalk-based nonprofit built to close the weekend nutrition gap that too many families face.
Through its Weekend Meal Bag program, Fresh Food on the Move Mobile Pantry, and school-based distribution sites, FITB meets families exactly where they are—removing the logistical and financial barriers standing between kids and consistent, healthy food.
Since its inception, FITB has delivered more than six million meals to children across the region. Today, the organization reaches more than 10,000 students every week across 200+ sites—powered entirely by volunteers, corporate partners, and individual donors.
It’s a community-driven force for lasting change, and proof of what’s possible when a community decides that no child should go hungry on its watch.
Learn more at fillingintheblanks.org.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Leadership & Strategy
- Partner with Co-Founders to shape organizational strategy, annual budgets, and operating plans.
- Translate strategic priorities into actionable operational plans and lead their execution.
- Drive implementation of new initiatives, partnerships, and program growth.
- Supervise the Director of Operations, Director of Development, Director of Finance & Administration, and Office & Marketing Coordinator.
- Build and develop a high-performing leadership team aligned with FITB’s mission.
- Foster a positive, mission-driven culture grounded in teamwork, accountability, and respect.
- Serve as a key spokesperson for FITB with partners, donors, and the broader community.
- Report to and work closely with the Board on organizational performance and strategic priorities.
Operations
- Oversee daily operations of food distribution, inventory control, transportation, and facilities to ensure reliability, safety, and a strong experience for the families FITB serves.
- Develop and implement operational systems, policies, and procedures that support consistency and growth.
- Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance service delivery.
- Oversee volunteer program design and management to ensure FITB’s volunteer-powered model runs smoothly and scales with demand.
- Monitor and report on key operational metrics (meals delivered, sites served, capacity utilization) to inform decision-making.
Resource Development
- Guide execution of a comprehensive fundraising strategy spanning private, corporate, and public grants, individual and major gifts, and events.
- Cultivate and steward strong relationships with community partners, service providers, and donors.
Finance & Administration
- Partner with Co-Founders to develop, manage, and monitor the annual budget.
- Ensure sound financial controls, compliance, and efficient use of resources.
- Oversee HR functions, including staffing, policies, and performance management across departments.
- Shape organizational growth by structuring teams, guiding hiring, and building the capabilities needed to scale.
- Assess and manage organizational risk, including insurance, data/technology security, and regulatory compliance.
QUALIFICATIONS
Our ideal candidate will bring a strong commitment to the mission with the following skills and characteristics:
- Passion for addressing food insecurity and supporting community wellbeing
- Minimum of five years of leadership experience in nonprofit operations, logistics, food systems, or related fields, including experience supervising senior staff or department leaders
- Demonstrated success building, managing, and stewarding relationships with partners, donors, and community stakeholders, with excellent communication, interpersonal, and public speaking skills
- Experience managing complex day-to-day operations, including budgeting and financial oversight
- Experience recruiting, managing, or scaling volunteer programs strongly preferred
- Strong organizational, systems-thinking, and problem-solving skills, with a track record of improving processes and efficiency
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, evolving environment
- Flexible, practical, and focused on getting things done!
- Experience in food distribution or food banking preferred
- Comfort with standard nonprofit operational tools (e.g., inventory/logistics systems, CRM or donor databases)
- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree a plus
Additional Considerations
- Demonstrates professionalism, mature judgment, and discretion in handling confidential information
- Is creative and collaborative
- Has strong problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
This position is a full-time exempt; salaried position located in the Norwalk location. The salary range is $120,000–$140,000 dependent on relevant qualifications and experience. The successful candidate will be offered a competitive benefits package.
HIRING PRACTICES
FITB is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran, or disability status.
TO APPLY
The search is being conducted by The Strategy Group.
- Please submit a resume and a compelling letter of interest via email.
- All cover letters and resumes should be sent as ONE PDF DOCUMENT titled “Last Name Cover Letter and Resume” to [email protected].
- Please title emails as FITB COO SEARCH in the Subject Line.
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
HIRING PRACTICES
FITB is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran, or disability status.