Chief Operating Officer

Accountabilities

• Lead the design, integration, and continuous improvement of enterprise operating models across Finance, Legal/Business Affairs, and People & Culture.
• Establish scalable systems, policies, processes, decision rights, accountability structures, and performance expectations as the organization grows in size and complexity.
• Translate strategic priorities into executable operating plans, organizational metrics, reporting rhythms, and measurable outcomes.
• Provide executive oversight of financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, cash-flow management, long-range financial modeling, and organizational performance reporting.
• Partner with Finance leadership to ensure strong internal controls, audit readiness, regulatory compliance, and clear financial insights for executive and Board decision-making.
• Oversee People & Culture strategy, including talent acquisition and development, compensation, performance management, succession planning, organizational design, and culture evolution.
• Guide Legal and Business Affairs activities covering contracts, leases, intellectual property considerations, regulatory compliance, insurance, risk management, and vendor oversight.
• Partner with the CEO, executive team, and Board committees on governance, risk, financial oversight, and strategic execution.
• Build systems for tracking organizational health, strategic progress, operational performance, and cross-functional execution.
• Identify and remove operational friction, strengthen collaboration across functions, and ensure resources and priorities remain aligned with organizational objectives.
• Lead, coach, and develop senior operational leaders while fostering a culture of ownership, clarity, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Provide calm, decisive leadership during periods of rapid growth, organizational change, ambiguity, or heightened operational complexity.

Requirements

• 15+ years of progressive senior leadership experience, including significant responsibility for enterprise operations and organizational oversight.
• Demonstrated experience scaling organizations in nonprofit, for-profit, hybrid, or similarly complex environments.
• Direct experience overseeing multiple enterprise functions, particularly Finance, Human Resources/People & Culture, and Legal or Business Affairs.
• Strong financial acumen, including experience with budgeting, forecasting, financial modeling, organizational metrics, and performance reporting.
• Experience partnering with CEOs, executive leadership teams, Boards, and Board committees.
• Bachelor’s degree required; an MBA or equivalent advanced degree is preferred. CPA or similar professional credential is a plus.
• Strong systems-thinking ability, with the capacity to understand how people, processes, technology, governance, and resources interact.
• Proven ability to operate effectively in ambiguous and rapidly changing environments while establishing clarity, structure, and accountability.
• High integrity, sound judgment, strong executive presence, and the ability to make thoughtful decisions under pressure.
• Collaborative and direct leadership style with the ability to build trust and alignment across diverse teams and senior stakeholders.
• Strong strategic planning and execution skills, including the ability to establish priorities, allocate resources, define goals, and drive measurable results.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to adapt messaging for executives, technical professionals, scientists, operational teams, and external stakeholders.
• Global mindset with experience engaging across cultures, geographies, and international partnerships.
• Strong organizational skills, resilience, adaptability, curiosity, and a continuous-learning mindset.
• Demonstrated ability to develop senior talent, build high-performing teams, and create a culture of shared purpose and accountability.
• Mission-driven orientation and genuine enthusiasm for advancing ambitious initiatives with broad social and global impact.

Benefits

• Base salary of $325,000–$375,000, with eligibility for an annual incentive/bonus.
• Remote-first work environment for candidates who live and work in the United States.
• Quarterly company-paid All-Hands meetings in Los Angeles for in-person collaboration and connection.
• Employee and dependent medical, dental, and vision insurance options.
• 401(k) retirement savings program with employer match.
• Generous paid time off, including vacation, floating holidays, sick days, and company-paid holidays.
• Employee Assistance Program providing confidential professional support for personal, family, and other challenges.
• Stipends or reimbursements for cell phone, internet, health and wellbeing, and learning and development.
• Generous paid parental leave for employees welcoming a new child.
• Dedicated meeting-free time each week and four focus weeks annually to support uninterrupted strategic work.
• Opportunity to contribute to a mission-driven organization focused on innovation, breakthrough solutions, and global impact.
• Compensation may vary based on qualifications, relevant experience, education, certifications, and other job-related factors.