Chief Operating Officer

Position description

Agriculture is the key to unlocking a better future for billions of people. But while rural families sustain the world, they struggle to sustain themselves. At the same time, they face increasingly urgent challenges, from volatile crop prices to extreme weather.

Root Capital is a social impact investor that provides financing and training to agricultural enterprises so that they can transform rural communities. We work with enterprises in the “missing middle” of agricultural finance: those whose credit needs are too big for microfinance and too small or risky for commercial banks.

Since 1999, we have loaned over $2B to more than 800 businesses and we have trained more than 1,800—improving the lives of 10 million people. As these agricultural businesses succeed and scale, they become engines of impact for their local communities, raising incomes, creating jobs, uplifting women and young people, preserving vulnerable ecosystems, and building rural prosperity.

Headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Root Capital has more than 180 employees operating in more than a dozen countries in Latin America, Africa, and Southeast Asia, and has associated offices in Costa Rica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Colombia, Peru, Ghana, and Kenya.

We are a community of unconventional problem solvers. We’re humanitarians and environmentalists, philanthropists and investors, farmers and feminists.

Our Mission
Our mission is to grow rural prosperity and build the resilience of farming families around the world.

Vision Statement
Our vision is thousands of rural businesses supporting a thriving agricultural sector.

The Opportunity
Position: Chief Operating Officer
Location: Global
Reporting Relationship: Reports to the CEO
Website: https://rootcapital.org/

Key Responsibilities
We are looking for a seasoned leader with an entrepreneurial spirit. Being the COO of Root is about more than making sure that all systems are going, teams are highly performing and performance metrics are met. We work in some of the most difficult places in the world, where uncertainty linked to climate, global commodity prices, trade flows and a multitude of other external factors affect our business models on a weekly basis. We need to adapt and switch gears often, listen to the communities and agri-businesses we serve to make sure we remain mission-specific, while we maintain a dialogue with donors to demonstrate the value added, social impact and catalytic effects of our model.

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is responsible for overseeing a significant part of the day-to-day management of the organization, ensuring efficiency, productivity, and operational excellence across all the support/back-office functions to advance the organization’s mission. Collaborating closely with the Founder & CEO and other senior leaders including peers, the COO ensures a robust and efficient operational structure that supports the organizational vision and business model. 

The COO is responsible for overseeing HR, Finance, IT, Legal and Risk Management teams in defining and implementing this structure, and drive continuous improvement based on internal insights and market feedback. Leading a talented team of 65 and reporting directly to the Founder & CEO, the COO plays a crucial role in empowering staff, while holding them accountable for achieving measurable outcomes. Additional responsibilities of the COO include:

Operational Strategy & Leadership

• Develop, implement, and continuously refine operational strategies to align with and support overall business objectives.
• Contribute to shaping the future of Root as we enter a new phase (3-year plan) of strategic planning and growth.
• Oversee the HR, Finance, IT, Legal and Risk Management’s day-to-day operations to ensure efficient and effective functioning.
• Ensure alignment between business strategy and operations, driving efficiencies and fostering a culture of excellence.

Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement

• Work closely with the CEO and Board to transform strategic goals into actionable plans.
• Lead initiatives to identify, analyze, and improve operational processes, ensuring cost efficiency, quality, and scalability.
• Establish best practices for workflow, automation, and productivity across all departments.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, encouraging teams to implement innovative solutions and optimize performance.
• Develop and implement modifications to Root’s organizational structure and operations as needed, ensuring the organization can swiftly and effectively adapt to evolving conditions, challenges, and opportunities.

Financial Oversight

• Partner with the CFO to manage the organization’s budget and ensure financial stability.
• Oversee financial operations, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.
• Ensure cost-effective management of resources, balancing quality and efficiency with financial considerations.

Human Resources

• Work with the CHRO to foster a positive and productive work environment aligned with the organization’s values and mission.
• Oversee HR functions including strategic workforce planning, performance management, employee development, employee relations and staff morale.

Compliance and Risk Management

• Work with the GC to ensure compliance with all relevant laws, regulations, and standards.
• Work with the Senior Director, Global Risk Management, Credit Committee and Board in the determination and management of risk appetite, explicitly recognizing the risk trade-off necessary to achieve Root Capital’s developmental/impact objectives.
• Work with the Senior Director, Global Risk Management to ensure the independence, quality and effectiveness of client selection, credit process and portfolio management.

Engagement 

• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including donors, partners, and community organizations.
• Represent the organization at external events and meetings.

Delivery

• Monitor departmental performance and provide guidance to achieve key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Oversee the collection and analysis of operational data to inform decision-making.
• Prepare reports and presentations for the Board of Directors and other stakeholders.

Critical success factors

In the first 12-18 months in this role, we expect the initial areas of focus to include:

• Establish strong relationships with team members and stakeholders across the organization.
• Conduct a Comprehensive Evaluation:
  • Review the Organization’s current operational structure, processes, and performance metrics.
  • Assess the organization’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT analysis).
• Engage with Key Stakeholders:
  • Meet with executive leadership, department heads, and key employees to understand their perspectives, challenges, and ideas.
  • Establish a network of trust with team members and stakeholders across all departments.
• Analyze Financial Performance:
  • Review financial reports and budgets to understand profitability, cost structures and fiscal health.
  • Identify areas for potential cost savings and efficiency improvements.
• Understand Organization Culture and Values:
  • Immerse yourself in the company culture to see how it aligns with operational goals.
  • Identify any cultural challenges that may impact operations.
• Develop Operational Strategy:
  • Collaborate with the CEO and executive team to align operational strategies with business objectives.
  • Design a roadmap to meet short-term and long-term operational goals, including decisions about organizational design. 
• Set Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):
  • Establish KPIs to track operational performance, efficiency, and employee productivity.
• Identify Improvement Opportunities:
  • Identify specific operational processes or practices that need enhancement.
• Launch Process Improvement Initiatives:
  • Implement key initiatives aimed at improving operational efficiency and effectiveness (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma, technology upgrades).
  • Prioritize initiatives that have the highest potential impact on performance.
• Enhance Technology and Systems:
  • Assess existing technologies and identify areas for upgrades or integrations that can streamline operations.
  • Collaborate with the IT department to ensure data management and reporting tools are effective.
• Adjust Strategy Based on Findings:
  • Make necessary adjustments to the operational strategy based on performance evaluations and feedback.
  • Report to the CEO and board on progress, challenges faced, and plans for future improvements.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will be an experienced financial and operations professional with demonstrated leadership in an organization of a similar size and scale with directly related administrative management experience. The COO will be expected to lead in a manner that promotes trust and transparency and develop effective policies, procedures, and programs to serve Root Capital.

The COO must be a strong communicator and collaborative individual with the ability to establish strong working relationships with key internal and external stakeholders. It is crucial that this leader works collaboratively with a diverse set of staff, board leadership, and stakeholder groups in support of Root’s strategic direction while also balancing the strategic needs and compliance requirements.

The successful candidate will bring many of the following skills and traits:

• Deep belief in and dedication to the mission of Root Capital, with a passion for promoting inclusive and sustainable economic development and rural resilience in low- and middle-income countries.
• Minimum of 15 years of experience in senior operational roles, preferably in for profit or non-profit organizations with a strong focus on operational excellence.
• Advanced degree in a relevant field (e.g., business, finance, international development, public administration, nonprofit management) preferred but not required.
• Demonstrated ability to translate strategic vision into actionable business plans and drive successful execution.
• Strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with the ability to build a respectful and inclusive work environment.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with a proven track record of empowering teams and achieving results in a multicultural environment.
• Demonstrated experience working closely with C-suite executives and other stakeholders.
• Proficiency in English required, Spanish desirable.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed, typically 25%.
• Ability to work on U.S. Eastern Standard Time (GMT -5).
• Legally authorized to work in the United States, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Kenya, Ghana or Rwanda.

Application instructions

Applications should include a resume and a letter of interest highlighting interest and relevant leadership experience. For priority consideration, inquiries, nominations, and applications should be submitted electronically.

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