Chief Operating Officer

About Us

The Black Futures Lab (501c3) works to make Black communities powerful in politics. BFL transforms Black communities into constituencies that wield independent political power at the municipal, state, and federal levels. The problems our communities face are complex; the solutions to those problems require imagination, experimentation, and political power. We advance strategies that help us imagine the alternatives we deserve while building political power at the local, state, and national levels to implement those alternatives. To learn more about the Black Futures Lab, please visit www.blackfutureslab.org.  

The Black Futures Lab is hiring a Chief Operating Officer (COO) position. This is a shared position with the Black Futures Lab’s sister organization Black to the Future Action Fund.    

Position Summary  

At Black Futures Lab and Black to the Future Action Fund, we recognize the crucial role that values-aligned operations and infrastructure-building play in supporting a healthy organization. We seek a visionary operations leader who loves organizational systems and problem-solving to serve in the newly created role of Chief Operating Officer (COO) to guide our efforts in this area.  
 
The COO will lead and manage all operations and administration functions for Black Futures Lab and Black to the Future Action Fund – including people and culture, operations, events, finance, IT, security, compliance, legal, and risk management functions – creatively ensuring alignment of operations, systems, and policies with our values and mission across the organization. The COO will partner across departments to improve systems, processes, and policies to help the organization run smoothly, ensuring all staff have the tools, systems, and resources they need to succeed in their roles and building an Operations team that delivers great results, equitably and sustainably. The COO will hold the organizational strategy related to structure, priority setting, staffing, and capacity, in work with the Deputy Director and Principal to execute the culture strategy and provide oversight of that work.  
 
The COO will serve as a key thought-partner to the Principal and the Director’s team: listening to the needs of the team and helping to create sustainable operations infrastructure deeply aligned with the principles of social change movements. Reporting directly to the COO, the COO leads a team of ten people: the Senior Manager of HR (one direct report), the Finance Director (three direct reports), the IT & Cybersecurity Specialist, Operations Manager (one direct report) and our Legal Counsel.  

Candidate Profile 
 
The COO must be a collaborative, innovative, systems-thinker with internal operations experience within complex teams or organizations. The ideal COO will have previously served as a COO, Executive Director, Deputy Director, and/or Operations Director, bringing an intimate understanding of the inner workings of nonprofits and what it takes to create, lead, and continually refine nimble, efficient, and scalable policies and systems, in addition to having some prior experience leading teams through big transitions and/or have a background in organizational development and design.  
 
The COO must be adaptable and comfortable operating in high-stakes, fast-paced, rapidly growing environments as well as being adept at providing trusted guidance and direction for the team. The role requires a skilled strategist who can hold the balance between the long-term vision and goals of the organization and the on-the-ground and daily functional needs, desires, and concerns of staff. 
 
Keys to success are superior communication skills; the ability to foster respect, trust, and collaboration among team members and departments; change management experience, and the ability to problem-solve creatively while clearly articulating how systems align to culture and values. The COO will lead the effort to foster and support a connected and joyful Operations team within a remote work environment.  
 
Experience working in Black communities and in a fully remote environment is a plus. 
 
Management & Leadership 

• 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. 

Information Technology and Security 

• 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. 

People & Operations 

• 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. 

Finance 

• 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. 

Compliance, Legal, & Risk Management 

• 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. 

Qualifications for Chief Operating Officer Role 

Essential Qualifications 

• 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  

Strongly 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  

Physical Demands 

• Able to work on a computer, including sitting at a desk for extended periods of time with or without reasonable accommodation; manual dexterity to operate a keyboard; able to see or read a computer screen and printed material with or without vision aids; able to speak clearly and in audible tones on the phone and in-person and be understood by others; able to hear and understand speech, including on the phone; able to understand and follow oral and written instructions; able to occasionally lift objects weighing up to 10 pounds.    

Work Environment: 

• This is a remote position. Office hours are 10 am - 6 pm local time. Work hours may be adjusted to accommodate team members in other time zones. Travel for in-person quarterly meetings is required.   

Compensation and 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.

Reasonable Accommodations:

Black Futures Lab and Black to the Future Action Fund are committed to providing equal employment opportunities and supporting an inclusive environment for all applicants. If you require reasonable accommodations during the application or interview process, please reach out to us at people@blackfutureslab.org. We are here to ensure that all applicants can participate fully and fairly in our hiring process.

Application Deadline:

We are thrilled to invite dedicated and visionary applicants to apply for this impactful role with Black Futures Lab and Black to the Future Action Fund. The application deadline is February 7, 2025. However, we will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis, so applying early increases your chances of being considered promptly. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of our mission to empower Black communities.

Black Futures Lab and Black to the Future Action fund contract with Resilient Strategies LLC for backend and operational support, including hiring and employment. Resilient Strategies is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Folks who are queer, trans, non-binary, Black, Indigenous, people of color, disabled, parents, are/have been system-impacted, are immigrants, and anyone who has experienced systemic oppression and/or gender-based violence are encouraged to apply. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment.