Chief Operating Officer

Position Overview

Possibility Labs is seeking an exceptional Chief Operating Officer to build and lead our operations, risk management, and compliance functions as we scale our impact.

The Opportunity: As COO, you will bring operational excellence, a strategic mindset, and a customer service focus to our diverse work as a fiscal sponsor, fund host, and donor-advised fund service provider. Importantly, you will be the principal owner of all compliance work, establishing robust systems and bringing professional rigor to operations, with an emphasis on managing risk. You will develop an operations roadmap anchored in cross-team coordination and collaboration, knowledge sharing, proactivity and responsiveness, and the standardization of processes and procedures needed to ensure the consistent and effective delivery of our core services. Possibility Labs is known in the field for providing back-office support that centers the needs of our projects, many of which have had problematic or challenging prior administrative experiences. We are eager to maintain that culture of operational support.

Growth & Strategic Planning: As we approach our 6th anniversary, we will be implementing a strategic plan that will guide our growth from 70+ to 100+ partners. This growth will require scalable operational systems, strategic technology oversight, risk and compliance infrastructure, goal-setting frameworks aligned to budget, and strong staff and culture leadership.

Regulatory & Risk Environment: The nonprofit sector faces unprecedented regulatory scrutiny related to fiscal sponsorship and DAFs, in particular. To navigate these changes, a robust compliance infrastructure is needed to effectively manage organizational risk. Given Possibility Labs’ commitment to flexibility, experimentation, and transparency, however, all risk and compliance efforts must balance organizational needs with partners' needs. As we continue to build out liberatory infrastructure supporting self-determination for BIPOC and historically low-income communities doing cutting-edge work—Possibility Labs must maintain the highest operational standards.

What You'll Build & Refine:

• Scalable operational systems supporting growth from 70+ to 100+ partners
• Comprehensive risk management and compliance frameworks
• Strategic oversight of technology platforms and IT infrastructure
• Partner service delivery excellence with continuous improvement culture
• HR, people, and culture functions embodying our values of co-creation and trust
• Clear goals, metrics, and accountability structures aligned to budget

Why This Matters: Excellent operations and compliance aren't constraints—they're what enable breakthrough work. Your systems will create the foundation that allows our partners to take bold action on ownership, land, and climate justice while staying protected. Seamless compliance and strong operational infrastructure free our organization and our 60+ partners to focus on their most impactful work, knowing the entity and their projects are secure.

You'll navigate heightened regulatory scrutiny in the philanthropic sector (fiscal sponsorship + DAFs) while managing operational and reputational risks for 60+ diverse partners working at the intersection of ownership, land, and climate justice. We need someone who brings strategic judgment, operational excellence, grace under pressure, and the ability to "hold the whole."

Key Responsibilities

Risk Management & Compliance Leadership (35%)

• Design and implement comprehensive risk management and compliance frameworks from the ground up; create risk and compliance roadmap
• Proactively assess organizational risk across all functions and partners—identify and address issues before they become problems
• Develop, implement, and manage all risk & compliance-related plans and policies, including annual trainings for PL staff and partners; develop procedure for regular review of all plans and policies and implementation of changes/updates
• Mentor colleagues and partners to ensure awareness of and adherence to best practices, established processes, and applicable laws
• Establish proactive risk identification, mitigation, and monitoring processes that engages Possibility Labs’ core team and all our partners (fiscally sponsored projects, DAFs, resourcing initiatives)
• Assess organizational risk related to management of information and intellectual property; develop and implement comprehensive document retention policy
• Establish organizational metrics and KPIs to track compliance health, operational effectiveness, risk exposure, and partner portfolio performance
• Serve as primary point of contact for regulatory matters; monitor developments affecting fiscal sponsors and DAFs
• Oversee contract administration, legal compliance, entity registrations, and audit preparation
• Manage insurance: general liability, D&O, etc.
• Oversee HR benefits and health insurance contracts
• Develop and maintain crisis management and crisis communications plans

Operations Excellence & Systems Transformation (30%)

• Strategic Operations & Partner Services:
  • Develop Operations Strategy & Roadmap
  • Partner Portfolio Management: Oversee operational health and service delivery quality across all partners
  • Service delivery excellence: Establish high standards for responsiveness, reliability, partner satisfaction, collaboration and coordination when it comes to the delivery of PL’s core services
  • Establish continuous improvement culture: Implement partner and internal staff feedback systems, identify bottlenecks, and iterate on processes
  • Centralize and streamline partner-facing processes—balance self-service efficiency with relationship-based support
  • Build scalable systems supporting growth to 100+ partners
  • Oversee general operations: day-to-day activities, virtual office, vendor relationships, procurement
• Technology & Systems Leadership:
  • Strategic oversight of technology platforms and IT infrastructure (especially Salesforce expansion)
  • Oversee Senior Systems Manager to ensure technology aligns with business needs and mission
  • Manage systems supporting internal and partner workflows (integrations, automations, custom builds)
  • Guide tech stack evolution, platform optimization, systems roadmap
• Team Leadership:
  • Manage People Operations Senior Manager and Senior Systems Manager, direct reports
  • Provide clear goals, expectations, and accountability; build team capability
  • Implement cross-training protocols to reduce single-point dependencies

People, HR & Culture Leadership (20%)

• Lead annual goal-setting processes ensuring alignment across the organization
• Partner with the Professional Employer Organization (PEO) to administer employee benefits, payroll, HR compliance, serving as the lead liaison in partnership with the Senior Manager People Operations
• Partner with the Senior Manager People Operations to receive, triage, and resolve escalated employee matters, including grievances, performance disputes, and compliance-related concerns
• Align organizational goals to budget in partnership with CEO, CFO, and CLT
• Design and implement performance management systems that support both the internal core team and fiscally sponsored projects, ensuring systems are consistent and equitable
• Create frameworks for measuring operational effectiveness, partner satisfaction, and organizational health
• Oversee the Senior Manager People Operations, providing leadership and guidance to ensure HR strategies are aligned with organizational goals and mission
• Foster organizational culture grounded in learning, collaboration, trust, transparency, and excellence
• Oversee recruiting, hiring, onboarding, performance management, professional development, and benefits administration for Possibility Labs core team

Strategic Leadership & Executive Collaboration (15%)

• Collaborative Leadership Team (CLT) Participation:
  • Develop and steward high-level organizational goals with CLT, ensuring alignment across all functions
  • "Hold the whole"—maintain systems perspective connecting operations, finance, programs, and partnerships; ensure cross-functional alignment
  • Lead development of annual operating plan connected to budget—partner with CFO to ensure resource allocation reflects strategic priorities
  • Partner closely with CFO on financial controls, reporting, and fiscal risk management
  • Provide "straight answers" and clear analysis—be the operational voice the organization can rely on
• Organizational Growth:
  • Develop and maintain comprehensive organizational metrics tracking partner satisfaction, service delivery, compliance health, risk exposure, and effectiveness
  • Drive continuous improvement through data analysis and partner feedback loops
  • Provide guidance and mentorship to staff and partners on best practices and compliance
  • Support strategic planning, fundraising efforts, and external partnerships
  • Collaborate with CEO and CFO to ensure Board is apprised of organizational growth strategies and plans

Required Qualifications

• Experience (10+ years):
  • Progressive leadership in operations, risk management, and compliance—with ability to build systems from scratch in nonprofit contexts, particularly fiscal sponsorship and/or donor-advised funds
  • Service delivery and partner/client portfolio management in multi-stakeholder environments (100+ projects/partners/funds); HR oversight, organizational culture building, performance management
  • Crisis management and preventive risk systems; collaborative C-suite partnerships, particularly with CFOs and legal
  • Demonstrated success aligning goals to budget and establishing metrics-driven accountability
• Knowledge:
  • Nonprofit regulatory frameworks: 501(c)(3), fiscal sponsorship, DAF requirements, IRS reporting, risk management, internal controls
  • Provision of operational support in a customer service environment.
  • HR strategy, compensation philosophy, benefits administration, employment law
  • Technology platforms and IT governance (Google Workspace working knowledge required; Salesforce experience highly valued ); experience with tools such as Xero, Bill.com, Ramp/Divvy or similar platforms, a plus
  • Alignment with solidarity economy principles, trust-based philanthropy, racial and economic justice frameworks
• Critical Skills & Attributes:
  • Systems thinking and "holding the whole"—see how all parts connect; maintain enterprise view
  • Proactive and anticipatory—identify and address risks before they become crises
  • Service delivery mindset and mentoring capability—operationalize excellence and develop others
  • Data-driven; metrics-focused; continuous improvement orientation
  • Strategic planning and goal-setting aligned to budget
  • Grace under pressure; sound judgment; clear communication
  • Trust and collaboration as default mode; cultural humility; self-directed with strong ownership
• Preferred Qualifications
  • JD, CPA, MBA, MPA, or MNO; professional certifications (CRCM, CFE, CNP, CFRE)
  • Experience in fiscal sponsorship, DAF provider, or similar intermediary; prior relationships with fiscal sponsor networks (NEO Philanthropy, New Venture Fund, Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors)
  • Experience working with for-profit organization(s) especially social enterprises, a plus
  • Success scaling organizations from $3M to $10M+ budgets
  • Track record working with BIPOC-led organizations or serving BIPOC and/or historically low-incomes communities

Possibility Labs is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, disability, gender, nationality, ethnicity, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, sexual orientation or any other status protected by law. People of color and LGBTQ candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

• 100% FTE, exempt, salaried position.
• Annual gross pay: $180,000
• 100% FTE full-time is 40 hours per week.
• PL’s 100% FTE benefits package includes:
  • Unlimited vacation leave;
  • 12 standard holidays;
  • 2 weeks paid winter closure;
    • Inclusive of Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day
  • 12 sick days per year;
  • Medical, vision, and dental coverage for employees and dependents (enrollment is effective on the hire date, and may require a per paycheck employee contribution);
  • 100% employer-sponsored basic life/AD&D coverage;
  • Access to a 401(k) retirement plan + 4% company match;
  • Access to a Health Care FSA;
  • Cellphone and Internet Stipend;
  • Annual Home Office Allowance; and
  • Annual Professional Development Allowance.