Chief Operating Officer at CommonWealth Kitchen

CommonWealth Kitchen (CWK) is a nonprofit business development social enterprise headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, dedicated to advancing economic equity through the power of food. At CWK, food is not only a passion but an instrument for creating a more just, equitable, and resilient food economy. This organization harnesses inclusive entrepreneurship to reshape how food is grown, produced, distributed, and valued, centering those who have historically sustained the food system to have a decisive role in its future. CWK hosts over 50 food businesses that are led by a dynamic and diverse group of entrepreneurs representing multiple cultural, racial, and economic backgrounds. Their programs include shared-use commercial kitchen space, business education, technical assistance, coordinated market access, and their own mid-scale co-manufacturing social enterprise. The organization prides itself on being values-driven, collaborative, entrepreneurial, and deeply rooted in community engagement and empowerment.

Currently at a significant growth inflection point, CommonWealth Kitchen is focused on deepening its impact and expanding its earned revenue model, seeking an experienced Chief Operating Officer (COO) to help strengthen its operations, culture, systems, and overall organizational effectiveness. The COO will be a vital member of the executive leadership team, reporting directly to the CEO, and providing strategic and operational leadership across finance, human resources, administration, IT, and organizational systems. This role encompasses supervising key leaders including the Chief Impact Officer, Chief Culinary Officer, and Chief Program Officer. The position is full-time, exempt, and based on-site in Boston, with expectations to be present at the organization's facilities at least 3-4 days weekly, with some flexibility for remote work 1-2 days per week. Compensation ranges from $175,000 to $200,000 annually, commensurate with experience.

The ideal candidate for this role is a hands-on, systems builder who thrives in entrepreneurial and dynamic environments. They must possess strong operational and financial management skills coupled with emotional intelligence, inclusive leadership, and a commitment to equity and community impact. This is an opportunity for a mission-aligned executive leader energized by creating and strengthening organizational systems, building trust, developing teams, and guiding an impactful social enterprise's growth. The COO will support effective coordination across multiple core programs such as shared-use commercial kitchen operations, business education, market development, co-manufacturing operations, and advocacy efforts. This role requires a leader comfortable working alongside teams in fast-paced, production-oriented environments—as CWK operates commercial kitchen facilities open seven days a week, 12 hours a day.

Success in this role is measured by fostering a strong and inclusive team culture grounded in equity and accountability, defining clear roles and communication channels, promoting data-driven learning and continuous improvement, and ensuring financial data and reporting are accurate to support operational sustainability. The COO will collaborate with senior leadership to translate strategic priorities into actionable operational plans, drive organizational effectiveness, and contribute to strengthening internal infrastructure for long-term growth and impact. This position requires a leader capable of balancing day-to-day execution with long-term strategic planning who excels in problem-solving and relationship building within diverse teams.

CommonWealth Kitchen embraces diversity and inclusion as fundamental organizational values and encourages applications from candidates of all backgrounds, specifically welcoming candidates of color, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, immigrants, multilingual candidates, and those with lived experience in entrepreneurship or food systems. The recruitment process includes multiple interview stages and a compensated work assessment, with an expected start date in September 2026. Candidates are invited to apply without a cover letter but respond to specific questions to demonstrate their fit and approach. Overall, this role represents a unique leadership opportunity for a strategic, operational, and equity-oriented executive to lead a pioneering social enterprise committed to transforming the food economy.