Chief Administrative Officer

General Info on SAGE:

SAGE is the country’s largest and oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBTQ+) older people. Founded in 1978 and headquartered in New York City, SAGE is a national organization that offers supportive services and consumer resources to LGBTQ+ older people and their caregivers, advocates for public policy changes that address the needs of LGBTQ+ older people, provides education and technical assistance for aging providers and LGBTQ+ organizations through its National Resource Center on LGBTQ+ Aging, and cultural competence training through SAGECare. SAGE supports a growing network of 70+ SAGECollab Partners across the country.

What We Need:

The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) is a key member of SAGE’s Executive Leadership Team and a critical partner in strengthening the organization’s operational foundation. Reporting to SAGE’s CEO, the CAO oversees Human Resources, Information Technology, Data Strategy, and Facilities/Office Services, and leads organization-wide risk management and security initiatives.

This strategic, hands-on operations leader will ensure SAGE’s systems, people, and processes are aligned, effective, and resilient—supporting our mission to advocate for and serve LGBTQ+ older adults. The CAO supervises four Directors and their respective teams.

What You’ll Do:

Organizational Operations & Strategy

• Ensure strong, aligned operations across departments to advance organizational priorities.
• Lead cross-functional planning, organizational change initiatives, and risk preparedness.
• Improve collaboration, communication, and system efficiency across SAGE.
• Serve as a strategic problem-solver for urgent and high-impact initiatives.
• Partner with Volunteer Director of Pro-Bono Legal Partnerships to engage external counsel as needed.

Human Resources

• Partner with and advise the Managing Director of HR in overseeing full HR function, including recruitment, performance management, comp/benefits, payroll, compliance, L&D, engagement, workforce planning, and employee relations.
• Partner with leadership to foster an equitable, inclusive culture; support union relations and adherence to the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
• Ensure consistent, transparent HR policies and risk-reducing practices.

Facilities & Office Services

• Partner with and advise the Director of Facilities and Office Services in overseeing management of SAGE’s offices and program sites, ensuring staff and participant safety and accessibility, compliance, and mission alignment.
• In collaboration with Director, lead space planning, vendor and lease management, and property/security procedures (such as access control and training and reporting).
• Ensure adequate resources and safety standards across all facilities as well as comprehensive and competitive property and casualty insurance policies.

Information Technology

• Partner with and advise the IT Director in overseeing IT strategy, infrastructure, cybersecurity, and staff technology needs.
• Drive efforts to modernize systems, streamline data management, and strengthen regulatory compliance; identifying opportunities to train staff when appropriate.
• Lead incident response planning, cyber risk mitigation, and continuity practices – including cross-training, access controls, tabletops, secure configuration management, and up-to-date patching.

Data Strategy

• Partner with and advise the Director of Data Strategy Initiatives in overseeing organizational data strategy, governance, and system improvement.
• Champion data-informed decision-making through better data quality, accessibility, and staff education.
• Support impact measurement and evaluation activities across departments.

Risk Management, Compliance, & Security

• Lead organizational risk management, emergency preparedness, and security planning – in part by serving as executive sponsor to and lead for the Organizational Defense Committee.
• Oversee cybersecurity, physical security, insurance, and compliance efforts.
• Support development and maintenance of policies, SOPs, and partnerships with legal counsel to protect the organization.
• Create and maintain a business continuity plan document.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Supervise and develop Directors, building a high-performing, collaborative team that prioritizes customer service and continuous improvement.
• Represent administrative and operational needs at the Executive level.
• Co-lead Finance and Administration division with CFO and partner on initiatives that advance operational excellence and financial stewardship and lead in ways that build trust and transparency across departments.
• Model leadership which is mission- and people-centered, inclusive, and practical.

Who You Are:

While no one person embodies all the qualities outlined below, the ideal candidate will possess many of the following professional and personal abilities, attributes, and experiences. Please consider applying, even if you do not have *all* these “requirements.”

Experience & Expertise

• 10+ years of progressively responsible leadership experience in operations, administration, or related fields, ideally in nonprofits or human services.
• Demonstrated success leading HR, IT, facilities, and/or data functions and solid understanding of foundations and best practices for each.
• Strong knowledge of compliance, risk management, and organizational systems.
• Experience leading diverse teams and managing organizational change.
• Familiarity with DEIB practices and demonstrated commitment to equitable leadership.

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic thinker able to translate vision into action – even with ambiguous highly cross-functional projects.
• Empathetic, collaborative, clear communicator with strong relationship-building and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Adept at problem-solving and data-informed decision-making in dynamic, fast-paced environments with a high degree of integrity, sound judgment, and discretion.
• Strong project management, problem-solving, and prioritization abilities, with an ownership mentality and strong follow-through.

Mission & Values Alignment

• Deep understanding of and commitment to LGBTQ+ rights, equity, and inclusion.
• Passion for advancing dignity, belonging, and justice for LGBTQ+ elders and communities of color.
• Embodies organizational values of putting LGBTQ+ older voices first, diversity and equity, collaboration, respect and compassion, innovation, and performance excellence.
• Embodies additional divisional values of empathy, commitment to a culture of belonging, integrity, adaptability, and cultivating joy

• The benefits: SAGE offers a rich benefits package including:
  • EPO and PPO medical insurance plan options in which to enroll – with a very generous HRA contribution by SAGE and premium subsidies
  • An annually funded HRA (of up to $5k) for gender affirming care not covered by medical insurance
  • Dental and Vision insurance with premium subsidies
  • A safe harbor 401(k) plan with a match from SAGE of up to 5%
  • An annual contribution to a 457(b) plan after two years of employment
  • Generous PTO and office closures for holidays (including ½ day closures the day before many holidays!)
  • 100% SAGE-paid family and medical leave for up to 12 weeks
  • Sabbatical leave each 7 years of employment
  • 100% SAGE-paid disability and life insurance with the opportunity to elect additional life insurance coverage for the employee and their dependents
  • Medical and dependent care FSA and transit pre-tax benefits
  • An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for free and confidential support from licensed counselors on a variety of issues
  • A really terrific team! An opportunity to build from the ground up and make significant positive impact on SAGE staff and culture! A chance to support the LGBTQ+ community and be a part of an organization doing vital work!