Chief Operating Officer

Responsibilities

Fundraising (owner)

• Map and prioritize the funding landscape, maintain relationships with grantmakers and donors.
• Own grant pipeline end-to-end: runway forecasting and timing recommendations, prospecting, proposals, budgets, due diligence, and timely reporting.

Hiring & talent (owner)

• Co-define roles with the ED; design and run the full hiring pipeline (sourcing, screening, interviews, work tests, references).
• Lead onboarding and role ramp-up along with the team leads.

Operations & process excellence (owner)

• Build, implement, and maintain systems and tools across the organization.
• Establish goal-setting and execution tracking and drive cross-team delivery.
• Oversee our operations associate and external accountants/ops providers.

Management & org enablement

• Manage selected team members depending on fit and needs; raise the bar on execution quality.
• Coordinate quarterly org reviews and 360 feedback.

Content & output quality

• Review major outputs (e.g., policy submissions, technical research papers, public comms) for clarity, rigor, and alignment with strategy.
• Maintain editorial standards and review processes across teams.

Strategy partner to the Executive Director

• Serve as a thought partner for strategic planning, priority-setting, and partnership decisions.
• Challenge and refine plans while ensuring proper sequencing of initiatives.

Skillset

• Evidence of high ownership and a scaling mindset, ability to learn fast, and get excellent at new domains quickly.
• Low-ego, accountable operator who excels at translating strategy into execution.
• Mission alignment with reducing risks from advanced AI.
• 2+ years of experience in strategic leadership or operations within high-growth, mission-driven environments.
• Proven leadership capabilities with demonstrated ability to coach and develop talent.