Chief Operating Officer

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States.

📋 Description

• Supervise the Human Resources, Technology, and Operations teams, overseeing the Directors of each department and collaborating with them to establish departmental strategy, vision, and culture, in addition to hiring, training, supervising, mentoring, and developing team members.

• Formulate policies and provide comprehensive direction for ALDF's operational activities in collaboration with your department Directors and team members.

• Lead and implement business objectives to ensure optimal operations, maximize returns on investments, and enhance inter-departmental collaboration and productivity.

• Recognize opportunities to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of internal operations.

• Partner with ALDF’s Chief Financial Officer on shared services between the Human Resources and Finance departments, including Payroll.

• Collaborate with team leaders, the Executive Director, and the Senior Leadership Team to prepare reports for key stakeholders, including the Board of Directors.

• Direct the financial and budgeting activities for your teams, maximizing outcomes and improving efficiency.

• Work alongside the Senior Leadership Team and Directors to facilitate the annual budget planning process for your teams and monitor progress throughout the year.

• Consult with fellow leaders and staff members to address issues, coordinate activities, and resolve problems.

• Collaborate with other members of the Senior Leadership Team to evaluate organizational risk and implement measures to ensure compliance and mitigate risk.

• Ensure that ALDF operates in a manner that reflects sound controls, high mission impact, and manageable workloads for staff.

• In partnership with the Senior Leadership Team, foster a positive, productive, and inclusive work environment at ALDF.

• Oversee the development and execution of practices that promote a healthy culture across the organization, including robust internal communications, and support the HR Director and other leaders in executing strategies that continuously enhance ALDF’s culture.

• Cultivate a positive and collaborative working relationship with fellow Leadership members and Programs staff, while assisting the Human Resources, Technology, and Operations Directors in strengthening cross-functional internal relationships.

• Act as an engaged and active member of the Senior Leadership Team, contributing to ALDF initiatives and processes.

• Provide counsel to the Executive Director and Board on matters relating to organizational sustainability and other issues.

• Oversee the development and implementation of programs and projects related to infrastructure, Human Resources, Technology, and Operations, and lead internal change management for these initiatives.

• Ensure the implementation and adherence to relevant ALDF policies, including record retention, technology use, employment and labor, and communication standards.

• Maintain a current understanding of significant developments and trends in the field of animal law.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

⛳️ Requirements

• Extensive leadership experience in a non-profit environment, which may vary in form.

• Preference for 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in a leadership role across at least two relevant areas of responsibility (Administration/Operations, Human Resources, Technology).

• Preference for experience in non-profit leadership and within a legal or law firm context.

• At least 5 years in a formal leadership role, with a proven track record of modeling inclusive leadership for high-performance teams.

• A bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Management, or a related field, or equivalent experience.

• Preference for advanced studies in comparable fields (e.g., MBA, MA, or JD).

• A solid understanding of and demonstrated commitment to the mission of the Animal Legal Defense Fund.

• Additionally, a demonstrated comprehension of how legal action furthers the organization’s mission.

• Exceptional leadership capabilities and experience articulating a vision for the organization, inspiring alignment to that vision.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, capable of engaging with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.

• Strong listening and relationship-building abilities.

• Outstanding problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision-making skills.

• Empathetic interpersonal and conflict resolution skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively in a team-oriented environment and with external partners.

• The capacity to implement vision, think strategically, creatively solve problems, and exercise sound judgment and self-control.

• A commitment to working with integrity.

• Proficiency with basic software applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and internet browsers.

• Experience with Salesforce is preferred.

• Willingness to travel periodically for staff meetings and retreats (approximately 1-3 trips annually).

🏝️ Benefits

• Comprehensive health care, dental, life, and vision benefits (100% employer paid).

• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Dependent Care Account (DCA) options are available.

• 192 hours of paid time off (PTO).

• 19 paid holidays.

• One-month paid sabbatical after 5 years of continuous employment.

• 16 weeks of paid parental leave.

• 401k plan with a maximum employer contribution match of 5% after one year of employment.

• Alternative work schedules available at the manager’s discretion.

• One-time remote work allowance of $750.

• Annual professional development reimbursement of up to $1,000.

• Maintaining a healthy work/life balance is a core value for the Animal Legal Defense Fund.