About the Role
The Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) is seeking a visionary and strategic Chief Operating Officer (COO) to serve as a cornerstone of our Senior Leadership Team. In this pivotal remote role, you will be the architect of our internal infrastructure, ensuring that our operations are as robust and impactful as our legal advocacy. As the COO, you will oversee the essential functions of Human Resources, Technology, and Operations, fostering a culture of excellence, inclusion, and high performance. Your leadership will directly empower our team to protect the lives and advance the interests of animals through the legal system, transforming organizational strategy into operational reality.
As a key advisor to the Executive Director and Board of Directors, you will navigate the complexities of a growing non-profit, optimizing resource allocation and spearheading internal change management. You will manage a diverse team of directors, providing the mentorship and strategic guidance necessary to maintain a healthy, collaborative work environment. This is an extraordinary opportunity for a seasoned leader to integrate sophisticated business practices with a passionate commitment to animal law, ensuring the ALDF remains at the forefront of the animal protection movement.
Key Responsibilities- Operational Leadership: Oversee the Human Resources, Technology, and Operations departments, setting the long-term strategy, vision, and departmental culture to ensure alignment with ALDFs mission.
- Strategic Planning: Partner with the Executive Director and Senior Leadership Team to formulate organizational policies, identify operational efficiencies, and maximize the return on investment for all internal initiatives.
- Financial Oversight: Manage financial and budget activities for operational teams, executing annual budget planning and monitoring progress to ensure fiscal responsibility and sound controls.
- Cultural Stewardship: Drive a positive, inclusive, and productive work environment by overseeing internal communications and implementing practices that support employee well-being and a healthy organizational culture.
- Risk Management: Collaborate with the Senior Leadership Team and Chief Financial Officer to assess organizational risk, ensure legal compliance, and mitigate potential liabilities across all operational functions.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Prepare comprehensive reports for the Board of Directors and participate in organizational initiatives that ensure long-term sustainability and mission impact.
- Extensive Leadership Experience: 10+ years of progressively responsible leadership experience, preferably within a non-profit, legal, or law firm environment, focusing on Operations, HR, or Technology.
- People Management: 5+ years in a formal people leadership role with a proven track record of modeling inclusive leadership and developing high-performance teams.
- Education: A Bachelors degree in Business Administration, Management, or a related field is required; advanced degrees such as an MBA, MA, or JD are highly preferred.
- Mission Alignment: A demonstrated commitment to animal protection and an understanding of how legal action serves as a catalyst for societal change.
- Communication Skills: Exceptional verbal and written communication abilities, with the skill to inspire alignment toward a shared organizational vision among diverse stakeholders.
- Technical Proficiency: High level of comfort with standard office software (Outlook, Word, Excel) and experience with Salesforce or similar CRM platforms is preferred.
- Travel Requirements: Ability to travel periodically (13 times annually) for staff retreats, Board meetings, and professional conferences.
- Competitive Salary: A geographical-based starting salary ranging from $203,838 to $225,295, maintained through a transparent equity-based pay structure.
- Comprehensive Healthcare: 100% employer-paid health, dental, life, and vision insurance, with available FSA and DCA options.
- Generous Paid Time Off: 192 hours of PTO annually, 19 paid holidays, and a one-month paid sabbatical after five years of service.
- Family Support: 16 weeks of paid parental leave to support work-life integration.
- Retirement & Growth: 401(k) plan with up to a 5% employer match after one year, and an annual $1,000 professional development reimbursement.
- Remote Support: A $750 one-time remote work allowance and flexible scheduling options at management discretion.