Building the Future of Public Education in Oklahoma City

A Letter from Our CEO

Thank you for your interest in Fuel OKC.

When I accepted the opportunity to lead Fuel OKC, I did so because I believe Oklahoma City is one of America's great civic success stories. Over the past three decades, our community has repeatedly demonstrated what is possible when business leaders, philanthropists, elected officials, and residents unite around a shared vision for the future. Through initiatives like MAPS, Oklahoma City has transformed itself into a city that attracts investment, creates opportunity, and offers an exceptional quality of life. The momentum is real, and there is a genuine sense that Oklahoma City's best days are still ahead.

I also believe our city's future will depend on the decisions we make about public education. Every great American city eventually discovers that its long-term success depends on the strength of its public schools. Oklahoma City is no different. A strong education system develops the workforce employers need, strengthens neighborhoods, attracts families, and expands economic opportunity. If we want Oklahoma City to continue growing and competing nationally, we must ensure more students have access to excellent public schools.

That's why Fuel OKC exists. We believe every child deserves access to an excellent public school, and we know that creating more great schools requires more than great educators. It requires visionary school leaders, engaged families, philanthropic investment, thoughtful public policy, and organizations capable of bringing people together around a common purpose. Fuel OKC was created to help build those conditions.

The Chief Operating Officer will be my closest partner in that work. While I focus on strategy, fundraising, partnerships, and helping advance the organization's vision, the COO will lead the people, programs, systems, and execution that make that vision possible. Together, we will build an organization capable of creating lasting change—not only for thousands of students and families, but for Oklahoma City itself.

I'm looking for someone who enjoys building organizations as much as leading them. Someone who develops talented people, embraces difficult challenges, and believes that great execution is essential to achieving ambitious goals. Most importantly, I'm looking for a leader who wants to leave an enduring mark on our community.

If that describes you, I hope you'll consider joining us. I'd welcome the opportunity to tell you more about Fuel OKC, the work ahead, and why I believe this is one of the most meaningful executive leadership opportunities in our city.

Brent Bushey
Chief Executive Officer

• June 30 - July 27: First Priority Deadline Resume & Phone Screens

• July 27 - First Priority Deadline

• July 29 - August 3: First Priority Deadline Project Screen

• August 19 & 20: First Priority Deadline Semi-Finalist Interviews on ZOOM

• August 31 & September 1: First Priority Deadline Final Interview Days in Oklahoma City, OK (we provide all travel and lodging for candidates not located in the OKC area)

• September/October 2026: Start Date

Fuel OKC’s Mission 

The future of Oklahoma City will be shaped, in large part, by the strength of its public schools. Fuel OKC exists to ensure that future is one of opportunity—for every child, every family, and every neighborhood.

Fuel OKC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding access to excellent public schools across Oklahoma City. We believe great schools transform lives, strengthen neighborhoods, attract employers, and fuel long-term economic prosperity. Our work brings together philanthropy, strategy, partnerships, and execution to support exceptional school leaders, launch new schools, strengthen and expand successful schools, empower families with information, and build the conditions necessary for more students to thrive.

As Oklahoma City continues to grow, Fuel OKC is building an organization capable of creating lasting change—not only for students and families, but for the future of the city itself.

The Opportunity

The Chief Operating Officer serves as the CEO's principal internal partner and the organization's second-in-command. While the CEO leads external strategy, fundraising, board engagement, and community partnerships, the COO leads organizational performance, people, programs, finance, and operations. This executive will translate strategy into execution, build organizational capacity, develop exceptional leaders, and ensure Fuel OKC consistently delivers measurable results for Oklahoma City students and families.

What You’ll Lead

• Executive Leadership
• Program Leadership & Organizational Impact
• Leadership & Talent Development
• Financial Stewardship
• Operational Excellence
• Data & Organizational Performance

The COO will oversee Fuel OKC's leadership team, lead execution of strategic priorities, provide oversight of budgets, financial planning, cash flow management, audit processes and financial reporting, build organizational systems, strengthen culture, and ensure continuous organizational improvement.

What Success Looks Like 

Within the first 12–18 months, the COO will have built a high-performing leadership team, strengthened accountability across the organization, improved financial planning and reporting, established an operating rhythm that enables exceptional execution, and positioned Fuel OKC for continued growth and impact.

Qualifications

• Deep commitment to educational opportunity
• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred
• 8–10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience
• Leadership experience in nonprofit, education, government, consulting, or high-growth private sector organizations
• Demonstrated success leading teams, budgets, and organizational strategy
• Demonstrated financial management experience, including oversight of organizational budgets, financial planning, cash flow management, audit processes, and financial reporting.

Why Join Fuel OKC? 

Few organizations have the opportunity to influence the future of an entire city. Fuel OKC does. Joining Fuel OKC means helping build an organization that will expand educational opportunity while contributing to Oklahoma City's continued growth and prosperity.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary for this position is competitive and depends on prior experience. The salary range is $135,000-$175,000. In addition, a comprehensive benefits package is included.

Equal Opportunity Employer

To provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, employment decisions at Fuel OKC will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. Fuel OKC does not discriminate in hiring, promotion, or any other aspect of employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Why Oklahoma City, Why Now?

Few cities in America have the momentum that Oklahoma City enjoys today. Driven by MAPS investments, civic leadership, economic growth, and a growing population, the city continues to attract employers, residents, and opportunity. Fuel OKC believes that sustaining this momentum requires an equally ambitious commitment to public education because every great American city ultimately depends on the strength of its public schools.

Fuel OKC's Mission

The future of Oklahoma City will be shaped, in large part, by the strength of its public schools. Fuel OKC exists to ensure that future is one of opportunity—for every child, every family, and every neighborhood.

The Opportunity

This is an opportunity to help build one of the nation's most ambitious city-based organizations focused on expanding educational opportunity. The COO will partner with the CEO to build the people, programs, systems, and culture that allow Fuel OKC to create lasting impact.

Why This Role Matters

Fuel OKC is entering a defining period of growth. Few executive leadership roles offer the opportunity to influence the future of an entire city. This is one of them.

The Leader We're Looking For

An executive who enjoys building organizations, developing leaders, solving complex challenges, and creating measurable community impact.

Why Join Fuel OKC?

Join an entrepreneurial organization at an inflection point and help shape both Fuel OKC's future and the future of Oklahoma City.

Compensation

$135,000 - $175,000

Join Us

The next chapter of Fuel OKC's story is just beginning. We're looking for a leader who wants to help write it.

All final candidates for the position of Chief Operating Officer will be asked to arrange three reference checks one of which must be with a current or former manager.