Chief Operating Officer

Chief Operating Officer

Company: Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) Location: Remote (U.S.-based) Contract: Full-time, Exempt, Permanent Industry: Legal

About the Role

The Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) is seeking a mission-driven Chief Operating Officer (COO) to join its Senior Leadership Team. The COO will be instrumental in implementing and overseeing the operations necessary to advance ALDF's mission of protecting animals through the legal system. This role focuses on enhancing internal operations and infrastructure to support ALDF's continued success and growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee and manage the Human Resources, Technology, and Operations teams, including setting department strategy, vision, and culture, as well as hiring, training, supervising, mentoring, and developing team members.
• Formulate policies and provide overall direction for ALDF's operational activities in partnership with department Directors.
• Direct and implement business objectives to ensure optimal operations, maximize returns on investments, and increase inter-departmental collaboration and productivity.
• Identify opportunities to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of internal operations.
• Collaborate with the Chief Financial Officer on shared services between Human Resources and Finance, such as Payroll.
• Prepare reports for key stakeholders, including the Board of Directors.
• Direct financial and budget activities for the operational teams, maximizing outcomes and increasing efficiency.
• Execute the annual budget planning process and monitor progress throughout the year.
• Confer with leaders and staff to discuss issues, coordinate activities, and resolve problems.
• Assess organizational risk and implement measures to ensure compliance and mitigate risk, ensuring sound controls and manageable workloads.
• Drive a positive, productive, and inclusive work environment at ALDF.
• Oversee the development and implementation of practices that support a healthy organizational culture, including strong internal communications.
• Cultivate positive and collaborative working relationships with fellow Leadership members and staff.
• Serve as an engaged member of the Senior Leadership Team, contributing to ALDF initiatives and processes.
• Advise the Executive Director and Board on organizational sustainability.
• Oversee the development and implementation of programs and projects related to infrastructure, Human Resources, Technology, and Operations, leading internal change management for these initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with relevant ALDF policies, including record retention, technology use, employment and labor, and communications standards.
• Maintain a working knowledge of significant developments and trends in animal law.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Strong leadership experience in a non-profit setting, with at least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in a leadership capacity in at least two relevant areas (Administration/Operations, Human Resources, Technology). Preference for non-profit leadership experience and experience within a legal or law firm setting.
• 5+ years in a formal people leadership role, with a track record of inclusive leadership for high-performance teams.
• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Management, or a related field, or equivalent experience. Preference for advanced study (e.g., MBA, MA, or JD).
• Understanding of and demonstrated commitment to the mission of the Animal Legal Defense Fund.
• Exceptional leadership skills and experience inspiring alignment to organizational vision.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong listening and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision-making abilities.
• Empathetic interpersonal and conflict resolution skills, with the ability to work collaboratively.
• Ability to implement vision, think strategically, creatively problem-solve, and exercise good judgment.
• Commitment to working with integrity.
• Experience with basic software applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, internet browsers). Salesforce experience preferred.
• Ability to travel periodically for staff meetings, retreats, conferences, training, Board meetings, and donor meetings (estimated 1-3 trips annually).

What We Offer

• Competitive compensation with excellent benefits.
• Starting annual salary of $203,838 (with adjustments for specific geographic locations).
• Comprehensive health, dental, life, and vision benefits (100% employer-paid).
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Dependent Care Account (DCA) options.
• 192 hours of Paid Time Off (PTO).
• 19 paid holidays.
• 1-month paid sabbatical after 5 years of continuous employment.
• 16 weeks of paid parental leave.
• 401k plan with a maximum 5% employer contribution match after one year of employment.
• Alternative work schedules (at manager’s discretion).
• $750 remote work allowance.
• Annual professional