Chief Operating Officer

October 22, 2024

Description 

Location: New York, NY hybrid, 2 - 3 days/week onsite

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a newly created role designed to provide strategic leadership to the
organization and oversight of the Center for Constitutional Rights’ Finance, IT, Human Resources, and
facilities functions. Reporting to the Executive Director, the COO will play a key role in aligning the Center
for Constitutional Rights’s internal operations with its external values of justice, equity, and inclusion,
which are key organizational priorities.

The COO will collaborate closely with and join the Leadership Team (the Executive Director and the
Associate Executive Director) and the Management Team (Director of Development, Communications
Director, Advocacy Director, Legal Director, and Deputy Legal Director) on organization-wide strategy,
culture, and performance. Additionally, the COO will manage, empower, and inspire their team of direct
reports, ensuring that key functions meet and exceed organizational standards.


The ideal candidate will be a seasoned operations leader with deep experience in nonprofit
management, financial strategy, technology, human resources, and talent management, particularly
within unionized environments. The new leader will be adept at optimizing organizational infrastructure
to support and equip staff to fulfill their responsibilities and build policies and procedures that allow for
information to flow across the organization, keeping staff at all levels of the organization informed,
included, and up to date on key issues. The COO will also oversee significant projects, including
renovating the organization’s newly acquired office space in its current building.


The successful candidate will be an inclusive and human-centered leader with a clear vision of
operationalizing culture. They will understand and embody the Center for Constitutional Rights’ deeply
progressive values and demonstrate experience in embedding those values into daily operations. The
COO will bring experience in naming and norming organizational values and culture and weaving values
and culture into day-to-day operations and communications. They will be a collaborative, flexible, and
empathetic leader who brings a record of developing, building, and nurturing trust with colleagues,
promoting transparency across the organization. They must also be adept at navigating union relations,
fostering a culture of inclusion, and implementing policy reforms to ensure consistency and
accountability across the organization.

Responsibilities 

Strategic Leadership & Culture
● Partner with the Executive Director, Associate Executive Director, and Management Team to
cultivate a culture of transparency, equity, and inclusion across the Center for Constitutional
Rights
● Lead inclusive processes ensuring the Center for Constitutional Rights’ culture is named,
normed, managed, and evaluated across the organization
● Lead the development and implementation of internal policies that align with the organization’s
commitment to social justice, fostering organization-wide inclusion at all levels
● Serve on the Leadership and Management teams, providing strategic input on the organization’s
direction and priorities
● Collaborate with the Leadership Team, incorporating staff input while building on the Center for
Constitutional Rights’ strategy and serving as a thought partner in their current strategic
planning process


Operations
● Oversee the organization’s operations and ensure policies, processes, and protocols that support
the organization’s workflows and support CCR’s mission
● Continuously assess and optimize operational systems to enhance collaboration and efficiency
across the organization
● Ensure the organization has the necessary infrastructure, including technology and facilities, to
operate effectively and scale as needed
● Work closely with the IT team to maintain, update, and secure the organization’s digital
infrastructure, ensuring robust data security and the use of technology to support operational
and programmatic goals
● Identify and mitigate operational risks, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and
safeguarding the organization’s assets


Financial Strategy & Oversight
● Work closely with the Finance Director and Finance team to develop and implement financial
strategies that support the Center for Constitutional Rights’ growth and sustainability
● Provide oversight of the organization’s budgeting, financial reporting, and compliance with
nonprofit regulations
● Collaborate with the Finance Committee and Board on investment policies and financial
planning, attending all quarterly board meetings, overseeing investment portfolios, and guiding
the Board Finance Committee on strategic movements


Human Resources & Union-Labor Relationship Management
● Lead the development and implementation of inclusive and equitable human resources policies
and practices, focusing on racial and social justice and employee well-being
● Oversee union contract negotiations and implementation, ensuring compliance with the
Collective Bargaining Agreement
● Support the recruitment, development, and retention of diverse talent across the organization


Technology, Facilities & Infrastructure
● Oversee the organization's IT strategy, ensuring digital security and the effective use of
technology to achieve organizational goals
● Provide guidance to the IT team on maintaining and improving technology infrastructure
● Lead and manage the renovation of the newly acquired 9th floor space, collaborating with
existing external consultants, architects, and construction teams
● Assess the need to hire additional leadership roles, such as a Technology Director or Facilities
Director, as required

Qualifications 

●      13+ years of experience in nonprofit operations and financial management or a related field, with a minimum of 5 years in a senior leadership role
●      Proven success in fostering inclusive organizational cultures and leading change to align culture with communication, actions, and policies
●      Solid background in financial strategy and management, including budgeting, forecasting, and strategic financial and operations planning
●      Significant experience in human resources management, particularly within unionized environments, with a focus on organizational culture development
●      Experience in managing large-scale projects, particularly in facilities renovation
●      Demonstrated ability to lead and develop diverse teams in a collaborative and inclusive manner
●      Strategic thinker with a track record of driving organizational change and innovation
●      Solid communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with staff, board members, and external stakeholders
●      Tech-savvy, with a solid understanding of IT infrastructure and digital security best practices
●      Ability to align operational practices with the Center for Constitutional Rights’ mission and values
●      Sense of humor and self-awareness
 

Compensation 

The salary range for this position is $202,968 - $233,158, commensurate with experience. The Center for Constitutional Rights provides a comprehensive benefits package, including 100 percent employer-paid health benefit premiums, medical and dental insurance, life and short- and long-term disability insurance, employer contribution to retirement plan and flexible spending account, vacation and sick leave, and all federal holidays.

Contact 

Qualified candidates should visit https://leaderfit.catsone.com/careers/20424-General/jobs/16534610-Chief-Operating-Officer-Center-For-Constitutional-Rights/ to submit an online application. No phone calls, please.

The Center for Constitutional Rights is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and actively recruits women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQIA+, and gender non-conforming people.

Updated: October 22, 2024