Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Chief Operating Officer

At DC Affordable Law Firm (DCALF), we believe income should never be a barrier to justice. Founded in 2015 by volunteers to help close access to justice gaps in the District of Columbia, DCALF serves an expansive range of hardworking DC residents unable to afford market-based legal services, including modest-income residents who fall between eligibility for free legal services and the ability to afford private counsel and low-income residents navigating unmet legal needs.

Position Overview

DCALF seeks a Chief Operating Officer (COO) to lead all operational and administrative functions, including human resources, financial management, grants management, facilities/office management, board engagement, and IT, with support from outsourced consultants, the Operations & HR Manager, and the Innovation Technology and Data Manager. The COO will be an integral part of DCALF’s Leadership Team, working alongside the Executive Director, Legal Director, Development Director, and Deputy Legal Director.

Financial Management

• Work with an outside CPA to manage DCALF’s day-to-day finances.
• Lead the year-end annual audit and single audit with support from CPA and external auditors.
• Develop the annual budget in partnership with the Leadership Team and board Finance Committee.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for DCALF’s Treasurer, leading meetings of the Board Finance Committee in conjunction with the Treasurer and Executive Director.
• Produce budgets for all grant proposals, oversee and monitor program and grant expenditures on a monthly basis, and complete required grant financial reports and grant modifications.
• Manage banking relationships and accounts and engage with funders.

Business Operations and Compliance

• Maintain business insurance coverage.
• Ensure all required annual and periodic organizational registrations are completed.
• Ensure organization-wide compliance with DCALF’s adopted Cyber Security and Internal Controls policies.
• Lead forecasting and cost analysis, lease negotiations, and contract evaluation of DCALF office.
• Oversee the ongoing maintenance of all aspects of DCALF's office.

Human Resources

• Ensure organization-wide compliance with all Federal, local, and labor statutes and regulations.
• Lead Operations & HR Manager in establishing and scaling key internal HR functions.
• Lead the Operations & HR Manager and Leadership Team in the development and implementation of staff policies.
• Provide coaching and support for staff supervisors.
• Supervise the full-time Operations & HR Manager in managing day-to-day HR tasks and projects.

Information Technology

• Supervise Operations & HR Manager’s management of internal IT processes, technology and equipment selection and implementation, and external vendors relationships.
• Supervise the part-time Innovation Technology & Data Manager to ensure legal IT platforms, including case management, document storage, and data maintenance are secure.
• Lead periodic review of IT needs.

Organizational Leadership and Special Projects

• Participate as an active member of DCALF’s Leadership Team.
• Foster growth of an inclusive and equitable workplace.
• Assist with organizational management, project management, and strategic planning, engaging with external consultants, institutional partners, and board members.
• Implement, develop, and advance organizational priorities and strategy consistent with the organization’s mission, in conjunction with DCALF Leadership.
• Lead DCALF’s search for a new office space and oversee relocation prior to July 2027.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive leadership experience overseeing nonprofit operations.
• Substantial experience in small nonprofit organizations is a plus.
• Experience in a civil legal services or public interest law office is a strong plus.
• Experience in grants management, including funder reporting and grant budgets.
• Demonstrated success in guiding process improvements and change management strategies.
• Ability to make and implement difficult decisions.
• Flexibility in adjusting to new or unexpected circumstances.
• Demonstrated commitment to social, economic, and racial justice.
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.

Compensation & Benefits

This is a full-time salaried, exempt position. To uphold organizational pay equity standards, flat salary of $125,000 has been budgeted for the first year of employment.

Work Environment

DCALF is currently working in a hybrid remote/in-person model. Due to the responsibilities of this position, it is paramount that the successful candidate come into the office with regularity, approximately two days per week, consistent with DCALF policies and work demands.

Application Process

DCALF has retained Good Insight, a national executive search firm serving nonprofits, to conduct this search. Interested applicants should submit a resume and detailed cover letter to www.good-insight.org/careers. Send confidential inquiries to DCALF@good-insight.org.

Resume reviews begin immediately. For best consideration, please apply by early September 2025. Early applications are encouraged due to the pace of the search.

Equal Employment Opportunity

DC Affordable Law Firm is an equal opportunity employer.