EVP, Innovation and Operations

The Executive Vice President of Innovation and Operations is a strategic executive leader responsible for shaping the long-term enterprise direction of the organization while driving innovation and best practices across all business units. This role blends analytical rigor with creative systematic thinking to build scalable profit generating applied learning enterprises, and ensures organization remains competitive and future ready. The EVP will work closely with the CEO and executive team to translate strategic insights into actionable initiatives that deliver measurable impact within existing and new business ventures.

PRINCIPLE ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Be aligned with and energized by Edgar Helm’s faith based social enterprise education model to create career pathways out of poverty to a more abundant living.
• Partner with department leaders to align strategic priorities and ensure cross functional execution that achieves 2030 success measures.
• Oversee development of annual business plans and budgets for all responsible areas that accomplish strategic objectives and generate double bottom line profits and mission results.
• Promote a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values learning and development.
• Lead vice president level department leaders and collaborate with colleagues to create career pathways in each department to grow future managers and senior leaders needed for expansion of enterprises.
• Develop financial projections, ROI analyses, and scenario planning for both scaling of existing enterprises and new opportunities.
• Build playbooks and SOP’s to consistently replicate selected applied learning business units within GIMG territory and prep for franchising businesses to others, in concert with needed franchise consultants.
• Create detailed business plans for new ventures, partnerships, and joint venture initiatives.
• Define value propositions, operational models, go-to-market strategies, brand packages, and marketing/promotional plans.
• Present business cases to executive leadership and the board for approval and funding.
• Develop relevant franchise agreements that protect and fiscally benefit GIMG, and mandate applied learning aligned with Helms College program curriculum.
• Monitor performance metrics and adjust strategies based on financial outcomes.
• Lead the identification, evaluation and execution of M&A opportunities.
• Oversee due diligence, deal structuring, and post-merger integration.
• Collaborate with legal, finance, and operational teams to ensure smooth execution and post-merger success.
• Lead strategic transformation projects, including digital transformation, customer experience redesign, and operational innovation.
• Communicate strategy and innovation priorities clearly across organization.
• Build and manage strategic partnerships that enhance growth, innovation, and philanthropic support.
• Represent the organization at industry events, innovation forums, and with key corporate, philanthropic, and political audiences to achieve substantive funds needed to build capacity and capabilities.
• Be a lead story teller, inspiring support from the community and individual donors.

REPORTS TO: President, Chief Executive Officer

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Strategic leadership and vision alignment.
• Innovation and business growth (new ventures, franchising, applied learning enterprises).
• Operational excellence and scalability (business planning, SOPs, process improvement).
• Financial acumen (budgeting, forecasting, ROI, scenario planning, performance monitoring).
• Mergers & acquisitions (due diligence, deal structuring, post-merger integration).
• Brand management.
• Talent development and succession planning.
• Culture building and continuous improvement (high performance, learning environment).
• Partnership and stakeholder engagement (strategic partnerships, joint ventures, board relations).
• Data-driven decision making and risk management.
• Executive communication and board-level presentation skills.
• Entrepreneurial mindset and sense of urgency to drive innovation.
• E-Commerce best practice system knowledge.
• Cross-sector versatility (ability to adapt and apply best practices across industries such as retail, hospitality, healthcare, trades, technology, and nonprofit fundraising).

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Master’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Organizational Leadership, or a related field.
• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience, including 7–10 years at the executive level in strategy, innovation, or corporate development.
• Demonstrated success in overseeing multi-unit operations, leading enterprise-wide strategic planning, and scaling organizations through innovation, new ventures, e-commerce, or franchising.
• Advanced expertise in financial modeling, market research, business planning, forecasting, ROI analysis, and risk management.
• Proven experience in mergers & acquisitions, including due diligence, deal structuring, and post-merger integration.
• Strong record of talent development, succession planning, and executive communication, with demonstrated ability to present to boards and senior stakeholders.
• Broad industry experience across sectors such as retail, hospitality, healthcare, trades, technology, and philanthropy.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a strong sense of urgency and passion for innovation.
• Deep understanding of innovation ecosystems, start-up collaborations, and emerging business models.
• Technology savvy.

The statements above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or working conditions associated with the role. At times, employees may be required to perform tasks outside of their usual responsibilities to support specific projects or organizational needs. Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia, Inc. reserves the right to modify, add, or waive job requirements at its discretion.