Chief Operating Officer

Job description

About The Appellate Project

The Appellate Project (TAP) is seeking a strategic and experienced Chief Operating Officer to help lead our next stage of growth. This individual will be a core member of our leadership team and will report to and work closely with our Executive Director.

The Appellate Project (TAP) is a national organization dedicated to empowering underrepresented law students to thrive in the appellate field and diversifying the nation’s highest courts, driven by the belief that our appellate system should reflect the rich diversity of all of our communities. Since our launch in 2019, over 600 law students have gone through our award-winning mentorship program, which provides access to mentorship, clerkship support, skill-building opportunities, and networking pathways within the appellate bar. Our network includes thousands of Supreme Court and appellate judges, lawyers, and law clerks who make our day-to-day work possible. Many of our alumni are already working in the appellate field,where they finally have a voice in the critical decisions that so often affect our communities. Our work includes continuing to support our alumni through each stage of their appellate careers, eventually positioning them for the bench and other key appointments. Learn more at www.theappellateproject.org

The Role

TAP seeks a Chief Operating Officer (COO) to lead and oversee all aspects of the organization’s operations, ensuring seamless execution and alignment across finance, human resources, recruitment and retention, external communications, and general administration. The COO will serve as a trusted thought partner and strategic advisor to the Executive Director, and will work closely with the ED to implement the organization’s vision and strategy, support board management and governance, and contribute to fundraising and development efforts.

At a moment where TAP is poised for significant growth, the COO will be instrumental in building and professionalizing internal systems, streamlining workflows, and growing TAP’s staff and capacity. As TAP’s team grows, the COO will work closely with leadership and staff across the organization to facilitate the execution of strategic priorities, enhance cross-departmental collaboration, and ensure internal alignment on TAP’s mission-driven work. This position requires a pragmatic, resilient, collaborative, and mission-driven leader with a minimum of 10 years of outstanding operations, nonprofit management, and people management experience. The ideal COO is a proactive and entrepreneurial problem-solver who thrives in a fast-paced, high-growth nonprofit environment, ready to ensure that strategic initiatives move forward efficiently and effectively. They should have a proven track record of optimizing operations, fostering strong stakeholder relationships, and building the infrastructure necessary for organizational growth.

The COO will serve as a thought partner to the Program Director, and will manage the communications team, accountant, and HR consultants. Additionally, the COO will serve as a thought partner to the development team, helping shape big-picture strategy and ensuring internal capacity aligns with fundraising goals.

Responsibilities

Vision, Strategy, and Operations:

•  Serve as a thought partner to the Executive Director, including providing strategic support for successful execution of goals and strategy;
• Serve as a representative, effectively communicating TAP’s vision, mission, and values;
• Regularly review the organization’s strategic plan to ensure that organizational activities and initiatives align with the overarching mission and vision, including regularly reporting on progress towards goals and milestones;
• Define and track organizational success with measurable outcomes, encompassing both quantitative and qualitative measures, utilizing actionable work plans for TAP staff;
• Lead daily operations, ensuring effective and efficient internal processes;
• Develop and oversee operational policies, procedures, and systems to support growth and sustainability;
• Monitor organizational performance and recommend improvements.

                  People & Culture:

• Define roles and required skills for each staff member who reports to you;
• Lead, inspire, and motivate a diverse team to achieve strategic goals;
• Collaborate to identify professional growth opportunities for staff;
• Identify and eliminate barriers to individual and organizational success;
• Develop, maintain, and support a strong staff while advising on continuous areas of organizational improvement, efficiency, and growth.
• Lead HR functions, including recruitment, onboarding, performance management, and professional development.
• Develop and implement strategies for recruiting, hiring, and retaining a diverse workforce.
• Professionalize HR practices, including roles and expectations, establishing a compensation structure, performance review process, and developing onboarding and training materials.
•  Ensure compliance with labor laws and HR best practices.
• Foster a positive, innovative, inclusive, and mission-driven workplace culture.

                 Financial Management & IT:

•  Develop and manage organizational budgets, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and grant requirements;
• Establish and maintain financial controls, policies, and procedures to ensure compliance and transparency;
• Oversee accounts payable/receivable, payroll processing, and financial reporting systems;
• Monitor cash flow and maintain relationships with financial services providers;
• Implement strong budget tracking and effective expense management practices;
• Prepare financial reports and analyses for the Board of Directors and funding partners in collaboration with the Treasurer and accountant.
• Ensure organization has proper systems, and technology necessary to achieve goals.

                 Systems & Infrastructure:

• Implement efficient operational workflows and standard operating procedures;
• Select, implement, and manage technology solutions for organizational needs (donor management, accounting, project management);
• Ensure data security and privacy compliance across all systems and platforms;
•  Develop and maintain documentation for all operational processes and procedures;
• Create contingency plans and disaster recovery protocols for critical systems.

                 Compliance & Risk Management:

• Maintain organizational insurance policies and manage relationships with providers;
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations governing nonprofit operations;
• Oversee contract management and vendor relationships;
• Develop and implement risk assessment and mitigation strategies;
•  Maintain necessary licenses, certifications, and registrations for nonprofit operations.

                 Fundraising & Communications:

• The COO will be responsible for building and developing a team to deliver on the areas below.
• Support the implementation of a fundraising plan aimed at expanding revenue to support organizational growth;
• Support the execution of both new and ongoing fundraising campaigns;
• Build trust and form partnerships with diverse interested parties and funders, strengthening donor, funder, and community relationships;
• Serve as a compelling and authentic spokesperson for the mission, including the cultivation and presentation of development pitches, and other events and meetings;
• Oversee communications strategy, including public relations, branding, and digital presence, working closely with TAP’s communications consultant.

                 Program Operations:

• The COO will be a thought partner to the Program Director and help ensure the programmatic goals are furthering the strategic goals of the organization.

                 Additional Support

• Assist Executive Director with Board management, governance, and meeting preparation;
• Support Board committees and ensure effective communication between Board and staff;

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Experience:

The COO will be a core member of our leadership team. We are looking for a collegial, collaborative teammate with a minimum of 10 years of substantive leadership experience.

We recognize that an individual’s experience is gained through a wide and diverse range of personal, professional, and educational opportunities. When reviewing applications, we take a broad look at the combined experiences of each candidate. These are the skills and values we prioritize:

• A demonstrated commitment to equity and dismantling systemic barriers for underrepresented groups, which is the heart of our work, as well as cultural competency when working with our diverse group of staff, donors, and program participants;
• Comfort with change and adaptable with creative and efficient processing of scenarios;
• Proven ability to implement strategic plans;
• Familiarity and experience with the legal system, and in particular the appellate system, including the systemic barriers to entry;
• Eagerness to learn, take initiative, anticipate problems, and develop creative solutions as a vital member of a small but powerful team;
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and oral, with the ability to build relationships and represent TAP to funders, external partners, and the general public;
•  Excellent organizational and time management skills; demonstrated attention to detail, including financial oversight and strategic planning capabilities;
• Experience managing and growing a team with a focus on maintaining a supportive, collaborative, and inclusive work environment;
• Strong technical skills, including experience with database/CRM tools (e.g., Bloomerang), website editors (e.g., Squarespace or WordPress), email communication platforms (e.g., MailChimp), and design platforms (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Suite);
• A commitment to amplifying and centering the voices and experiences of our community, particularly our students;
• Effective management skills, including recruitment, hiring, supervision, evaluation, and conflict resolution.

         Personal Attributes/ Character:

• An entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to work within a nonprofit startup environment focused on growth.
• A proactive and creative problem-solver that embraces change and new challenges.
• Someone passionate about the mission that operates with tact, diplomacy, and integrity.
• An emotionally intelligent leader who can build a wide variety of relationships.

Additional Information About the Position

The position is remote, but preference will be given to candidates based in and around the Washington, DC metro area. If a remote candidate is hired, it will be expected that they travel ~2-3 days per month to Washington, DC. Occasional evening and weekend work will also be required, as well as willingness to travel approximately 15% of the time to other places in the country.

Benefits

The Appellate Project offers a comprehensive benefits package and competitive compensation. This is a full-time exempt salaried position. The salary range is $160,000 - $170,000 and is commensurate with experience. Benefits include paid vacation, a retirement account, health benefits, paid sick leave, paid holidays, generous stipends for technology and a home office, and robust professional development resources.

The Appellate Project has retained the services of Charity Search Group to coordinate the search for this position. To apply, please complete this online application. If you have questions or need accommodations, please contact Ranata Reeder at [email protected] ​or visit www.charitysearchgroup.com

The Appellate Project is an equal opportunity employer. We prohibit unlawful discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation and/or identity, criminal record, marital status, or any other basis prohibited by law.

Research has shown that traditionally marginalized communities (people of color, people with disabilities, etc.) often don’t apply for jobs if they don’t meet every single qualification. If you think you can do this job but don’t meet every qualification, we encourage you to still apply.