Chief Operating Officer at BEAM Circular in Modesto, CA

About BEAM Circular:

BEAM Circular is unlocking the power of communities to transform waste into opportunity by building a vibrant regional ecosystem for the circular bioeconomy in California’s agricultural heartland. Anchored in the North San Joaquin Valley, we are facilitating collaboration through the BioEconomy, Agriculture, & Manufacturing (BEAM) Initiative to scale the most promising innovations in bioindustrial manufacturing. Our work includes public-private projects and programs in the areas of innovation, access to capital, infrastructure, talent development, and cross-cutting partnerships to advance economic and environmental value for local communities.

We have a dynamic, mission-driven team and are looking for partners to join us who believe in rolling up their sleeves to contribute to a bold vision, who have a results-oriented, “get things done” mentality, who lead with curiosity, collaboration, and kindness; and who are dedicated to positive impact for people and the planet.

BEAM Circular is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and encourages individuals identifying with any race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, national origin, and abilities to apply.

Position Summary:

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) serves as BEAM Circular’s senior internal leader and organizational integrator. The COO is responsible for translating BEAM’s strategy into effective execution by overseeing organizational operations, performance management, and internal systems.

Working in close partnership with the Chief Executive Officer, the COO ensures that BEAM’s programs, operations, and teams are aligned, well-resourced, and delivering results. This role is designed to strengthen internal coordination and accountability, enabling the CEO to focus on external strategy, partnerships, and fundraising as BEAM enters its next phase of growth.

Essential Functions, Duties, and Responsibilities:

Organizational Leadership and Integration

• Serve as a strategic partner to the CEO in operationalizing BEAM’s mission, vision, and strategic priorities.
• Translate organizational strategy into clear annual and quarterly work plans with measurable goals and timelines.
• Drive cross-functional decision-making to align programs, operations, and finance with external-facing initiatives, funding requirements, and long-term organizational strategy.
• Supervise and support senior internal leaders, including the Chief Program Officer and Senior Director of Finance & Operations, providing coaching and accountability.

Operations, Finance, and Systems Oversight

• Oversee organizational operations, including finance, human resources, legal compliance, and internal policies, in partnership with the Senior Director of Finance & Operations.
• Ensure sound financial management, internal controls, and compliance with nonprofit and grant requirements.
• Oversee grants management systems, reporting processes, and contract administration.
• Identify and mitigate operational and organizational risks.

Performance Management and Impact

• Establish and oversee systems for performance tracking, impact measurement, and organizational learning.
• Lead regular internal planning, performance review, and accountability processes.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement, transparency, and results-oriented execution.

Team Leadership and Culture

• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing organizational culture.
• Support professional development and capacity-building across teams.
• Strengthen internal communication and clarity of roles, decision-making, and workflows.

Executive Partnership and Representation

• Act as the CEO’s primary internal proxy for day-to-day organizational leadership.
• Collaborate closely with the Leadership Team to ensure strong internal support and execution.
• Represent BEAM Circular in select external meetings related to operations, financial partnerships, or implementation, as appropriate.

General BEAM Circular Team Collaboration

• May drive on company business.
• Comply with all BEAM Circular policies and procedures, including but not limited to workplace safety, reporting work-related injuries, Infection Control, and preventing potential safety risks for staff, clients, and others.
• The list of job duties and requirements is not all-inclusive. Management, at its discretion, may assign additional duties.

Education and Experience:

Education - Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred, or equivalent professional experience. Educational background or professional experience in fields aligned with the circular bioeconomy strongly preferred, including biotechnology, manufacturing, sustainability, agriculture, or related disciplines.

Experience - Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience, including senior-level management of complex organizations, initiatives, or portfolios. Experience spanning both nonprofit and private sector environments is highly valued. Experience supporting organizational growth, systems-building, and scaling initiatives preferred. Prior responsibility for managing significant philanthropic funding and or public-sector grants strongly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Deep expertise in nonprofit and mission-driven operations, including governance, financial management, compliance, and regulatory oversight, with a demonstrated ability to oversee core functions such as operations, finance, and cross-functional teams.
• Proven experience navigating public-sector and multi-sector environments, including public-private partnerships, stakeholder alignment, collaborative governance structures, and exposure to impact investing and blended capital models.
• Strong understanding of early-stage and growth-oriented organizational dynamics, including resource constraints, systems development, and the ability to scale operations while maintaining discipline and focus.
• Demonstrated strategic and operational leadership capability, with the ability to translate organizational vision into executable strategies, prioritized initiatives, and measurable outcomes in complex environments.
• Advanced prioritization, execution, and decision-making skills, enabling effective leadership across multiple initiatives and cross-functional teams in fast-evolving contexts.
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills, with the ability to influence, align, and engage diverse stakeholders, partners, and communities across sectors.
• Leadership grounded in integrity, sound judgment, and accountability, with consistent alignment to organizational mission, values, and ethical standards while delivering results.

Environmental Conditions

• Indoors in a typical office environment approximately ninety-five percent (95%) of the time.
• Frequent computer use at the workstation for up to eight hours.
• Frequently work at a fast pace with unscheduled interruptions.
• Ability to occasionally move (walk or drive) from one work location to another.

Physical Demands

• Ability to walk, reach, sit, stand, stoop, crouch, and climb stairs.
• Ability to move, carry, push, pull, and lift up to 20 pounds.
• Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard.
• The ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• Ability to communicate information and ideas in English so others will understand.
• Must be able to exchange accurate information.
• Regular and Consistent Attendance.

Compensation:

• Pay based on experience. Salary range is $160,000 - $185,000, with a competitive benefits package.

• Position based in Modesto, CA. Hybrid work arrangements may be permitted.