Chief Operations Officer

Reports to: Sojourners’ President

Team: President’s Team

Supervision: CFO, Senior Director of Marketing, VP and Chief Human Resources Officer, and Chief Advancement Officer

Collaborate: Executive Team members, Senior Advisor to the President

Liaise: Board of Directors Audit Committee, Independent Auditors, Legal Counsel 

Position Summary

The COO is responsible for leading the internal operations of Sojourners, enabling the President to better lead our external-facing work. The COO focuses on long-term planning and projects to ensure the growth and financial health of the organization, including implementation of efficient operations and systems to meet current and future needs; creating, implementing, and evaluating a sustainable business plan; and providing leadership support to senior staff. The COO will also support ongoing initiatives to strengthen publication revenue, brand, and audience growth.

Responsibilities

Leadership, Management, and Organizational Strategy

• Work with the President to implement strategic, fiscal, and organizational planning.
• In partnership with the Management Team, ensure equitable and effective management across Sojourners, leading to stronger trust in leaders, stronger retention on teams, and stronger employee engagement across the organization (42 employees, including yearlong fellows).
• Assist the President in equipping and supporting staff to live fully into Sojourners’ racial justice, equity, inclusion, and belonging values and competencies.
• Serve as a member of the Executive Team and in coordination with the Executive Team, convene and provide leadership to the Management Team.
• Lead strategic cross-functional initiatives to completion and ensure clear ownership, efficiency, effectiveness, and values alignment.
• In collaboration with Executive Team members, ensure departmental decisions and project plans align with the organization’s business plan and strategic plan. Review and approve
• cost-control reports, cost estimates, and staffing requirements for projects.
• Supervise the VP and Chief Human Resources Officer, CFO, Chief Advancement Officer, and Senior Director of Marketing to accomplish their objectives.  
• Create and manage Sojourners’ dashboard.

Financial Oversight, Fundraising, and Operations

• Work with the President and Executive and Management Teams to develop and manage Sojourners’ business plan.
• Oversee business model of Sojourners nonprofit publishing mission as developed and implemented by Senior Directors of Marketing and Circulation, publishing consultant, Editor of Sojourners, Editor of sojo.net, and other experts in nonprofit journalism to maximize financial sustainability and audience reach.
• Oversee the annual revenue and expense budget process, which is led by the CFO.
• Support the annual independent audit.
• Support the Chief Advancement Officer to ensure effective coordination between advancement and program and optimize our fundraising capacity, systems, etc.
• Oversee fiscal and risk management, including banking, investment, accounting, budgeting, compensation, and insurance. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of external economic conditions,
• promising practices, and long-term financial needs impacting the sustainability of Sojourners.
• Identify, recommend, and implement new processes, technologies, and systems to improve and streamline organizational operations as finances allow.
• Ensure accurate and timely completion of required tax reports to external sources such as the IRS. Ensure all operations follow applicable rules and regulations for government
• compliance.
• Oversee real estate assets, including tax exemptions.

Education and/or Experience

A minimum of 10 years of industry-related experience, with at least five years’ experience in an executive or senior leadership role, ideally in the faith or social sector. Master’s degree in business administration or nonprofit management is preferred along with an established commitment to social justice. Established understanding or experience with nonprofit journalism and/or faith-based advocacy is a plus. 

Competencies      

• Working knowledge of strategic planning implementation, organizational structure, budgeting, administrative operations, and fundraising.
• Ability to gather, analyze, and summarize data (especially financial) for reports and find solutions to business challenges.
• Problem-solving skills with a track record of balancing fast-paced priorities with important, longer-term strategic efforts.
• Superb communication and relational skills. Ability to articulate the views of others.
• Ability to exercise good judgement, keep confidences, and demonstrate discretion with high ethical standards.
• A self-directed individual who is organized and a team player.
• Commitment to mentoring and investing in staff at all levels to achieve their highest potential and design pathways to advancement in their own leadership journeys.

Mindset and Approach

• Desire to serve as an advocate and exemplar for the vision, values, and mission of Sojourners.
• Nurture a high-performing, team-based, collaborative culture aligned with Sojourners values in service to its mission and vision.
• Preference for and comfort within diverse, inclusive environments and organizations.
• Model and inspire innovative thinking and help the organization adapt to change and face adversity.