Chief Operating Officer

Summary

Join the Black Futures Lab and Black to the Future Action Fund as their Chief Operating Officer (COO)! This newly created role will lead and manage all operations and administration functions for both organizations. The ideal candidate will be a collaborative, innovative systems-thinker with extensive experience in nonprofit operations and a proven track record of leading teams through transitions. The COO will serve as a key thought-partner to the Principal and Director’s team, shaping strategic direction and fostering a positive, equitable work environment. This is a full-time, remote position offering a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package. The position requires a demonstrated commitment to racial and gender justice and experience leading with a lens on the impact of systemic and implicit biases.

Requirements

• 10 years of executive-level operations experience, including IT, compliance, legal, risk management, contracting, events, and policy development, with 2-3 years in senior leadership at a non-profit and experience building departments or systems
• Experience leading amid transition, with demonstrated change management and organizational culture change experience
• Experience as an operations and systems driver
• Proven track record of designing, implementing, and maintaining strong team or organization-wide systems to maximize efficiency, transparency, equity, and usability
• Ability to manage complexity and create order, bringing a diverse range of people along in the process - across lines of identity and skill
• Deep experience in at least three or more of the following functional areas: recruiting and hiring; training and coaching; organizational and individual performance management; organizational risk management; IT, compliance, legal, contracting, team-wide/large-scale events, or policy development
• Confidence with new technology and systems
• Demonstrated highly organized, detail-oriented problem-solver
• Experience effectively managing a high volume of work with efficiency
• Strong judgment and discernment to identify practical solutions to complex problems
• Strong interpersonal skills through excellent communication, collaboration, and relationship-building
• Able to work with and influence people across entire organizations and beyond
• Effectively develops and builds trusting, authentic, and reciprocal relationships across lines of identity and power
• Can engage and navigate multiple stakeholders (often with differing points of view and opinions)
• Communicates directly with clarity and kindness, particularly on tough or sensitive topics
• Able to engage in constructive conflict, advocate for own perspective, and still seek convergence and alignment with other decision-makers, as needed
• Coaching and training orientation
• Effective manager of full-time staff and teams
• Demonstrated commitment to effective management that is equitable, sustainable, and results-driven
• Experience in effectively managing a high-performing and diverse (race, gender identity, ability status) team
• Track record of coaching, developing and motivating a high-performance team
• Demonstrated track record of advancing racial and gender justice
• Commitment to supporting racial justice and Black-led movements
• Experience leading with a lens on the impact of systemic and implicit biases and inequities related to race, gender, and other identities that can play out in workplaces
• Proactively spots issues of equity and inclusion in the work and can bring practical solutions by drawing on personal experience combating white supremacy, racism, and other interconnecting systems of oppression
• Leads with passion for integrating and infusing social justice values into the fabric of operations

Responsibilities

• Serve as a key member of the Executive Leadership team, collaborating with the Principal to shape strategic direction and advance the organization’s mission
• Work with leadership to refine and implement a strategic plan that integrates operational strategies with organizational goals and values
• Recruit, develop, and retain a high-performing, diverse team. Foster a collaborative and accountable culture that drives organizational success
• Establish clear goals for Operations, IT, Finance, HR, and Legal teams
• Guide the organization through growth and change, implementing strategies that support staff and align with long-term goals
• Oversee budget, staff, and technology allocation to balance short-term needs with long-term sustainability
• Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, representing the organization’s mission and values in public forums
• Ensure that all practices and initiatives align with the organization’s mission, fostering a culture of social justice and equity
• Lead responses to crises, ensuring alignment with organizational values and prioritizing staff and community well-being
• Promote a culture of innovation and feedback, regularly assessing and refining processes for effectiveness and alignment with the mission
• Lead the IT strategy, overseeing digital infrastructure and cybersecurity. Ensure technology supports organizational goals and protects data
• Guide technology selection and integration to meet departmental needs and support strategic objectives
• Establish and maintain high standards for data security and regulatory compliance, working with legal teams to address risks and manage incidents
• Develop IT governance frameworks and policies for effective technology use, data management, and security
• Provide strategic direction and support to the IT team, fostering a culture of excellence and professional growth
• Oversee IT vendor and contract management, ensuring alignment with organizational values and operational needs
• Collaborate with senior leadership to integrate technology planning with organizational strategy, developing a roadmap to support long-term goals
• Develop and implement operational strategies that enhance efficiency and align with the mission’s principles of equity and inclusion
• Ensure effective implementation of HR policies and address employee concerns to maintain a supportive work environment
• Develop and implement strategies that create a supportive and empowering environment where every team member feels valued and is positioned to contribute meaningfully to the organization's mission
• Partner with the Deputy Director and Leadership Team to develop knowledge management systems that support transparency and collaboration
• Lead vendor and contract management to ensure that all partnerships and agreements reflect and support the organization’s values of equity, inclusion, and social justice. Engage with diverse vendors and service providers to build inclusive relationships and ensure that all contractual arrangements align with the organization’s mission and operational objectives
• Direct HR functions through the Senior Manager of Human Resources, ensuring policies, recruitment, benefits, and performance management align with organizational values
• Champion inclusive personnel policies, ensuring fair application across the organization
• Ensure compliance with employment laws and regulations, partnering with legal counsel for rigorous standards
• Direct the financial strategy to support mission alignment and long-term sustainability
• Lead budgeting and financial forecasting to effectively allocate resources and prepare for future needs
• Ensure accurate financial reporting and compliance with regulations, collaborating with the Director of Finance
• Oversee investment strategies and resource allocation to maximize impact and sustainability
• Identify and mitigate financial risks, implementing controls to safeguard assets and advance the mission
• Develop a compliance strategy that aligns with social justice values and organizational goals
• Ensure adherence to laws and regulations impacting marginalized communities, updating policies as needed
• Oversee contract review and negotiation, ensuring alignment with organizational values and legal standards
• Develop a risk management framework that prioritizes mission alignment and community impact
• Lead compliance and risk management training, emphasizing ethical conduct and legal obligations
• Establish systems for monitoring compliance and providing regular reports to leadership
• Manage responses to compliance breaches and risk-related events, ensuring alignment with organizational values
• Ensure insurance policies cover potential liabilities, particularly for vulnerable populations, and review regularly
• Lead audits to assess and improve compliance and risk management practices

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with and/or knowledge of the unique cultural experience of running operations in a fully remote environment including experience working remotely across time zones

Benefits

• Pay for this position is commensurate with experience and responsibilities. The estimated salary range for this position is $165,000-$195,000
• This position is full time at 40 hours per week
• Black Futures Lab / Black to the Future Action Fund offers comprehensive benefits packages including but not limited to medical, dental, vision, life insurance, employee assistance, and other resources to support a centered, healthy quality of life for staff and their families