Chief Operating Officer

The Future Society (TFS) is seeking an experienced Chief Operating Officer (COO) to lead operations for our growing team of 18 staff. This executive-level role will take full ownership of a comprehensive portfolio including human resources, finance, administration, systems, and compliance. Reporting to our Executive Director Nicolas Moës, the COO will play a pivotal role in executing our strategic vision and shaping TFS’s organizational culture and values as we scale. The successful candidate will be a seasoned operations professional who is passionate about TFS’s mission of aligning AI through better governance and has a demonstrated record of success in a similar senior role, preferably in a U.S. nonprofit with an international footprint.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Direct all facets of TFS’s operations, including HR, finance, systems, compliance, recruitment, and general operations supporting specific projects and activities as needed. Serve as a key member of the executive team, contributing to organization-wide decision-making and strategy.
• Lead and develop a high-performing operations team, fostering an impact-focused, positive, inclusive, and people-centered workplace culture. The successful candidate will have two full-time direct reports to start and may hire additional staff in 2025.
• Define and uphold TFS’s cultural values across our international, remote-first workplace, collaborating closely with the Executive Director. Create and implement HR strategies, policies, and practices that support TFS’s growth, facilitate employee engagement, and reinforce our organizational culture. Lead initiatives to enhance employee experience, engagement, and retention.
• Manage all aspects of financial planning, budgeting, and management to ensure transparency and fiscal responsibility. Manage relationships with external accounting partners and oversee annual audits.
• Oversee the development, implementation, and optimization of organizational systems and processes to enhance efficiency and support collaboration. Ensure that robust cybersecurity measures and data protection practices are in place.
• Ensure strict compliance with U.S. nonprofit regulations, including an annual audit and timely filing of all required reports and maintaining 501(c)(3) status. Manage TFS’s international operations, including work with Employers of Record (EORs) and compliance with local regulations.
• Manage relationships with external legal counsel and oversee all legal matters pertaining to TFS’s operations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong commitment to TFS’s mission of aligning AI through better governance. Previous experience working in AI governance is not required for this role.
• Demonstrated success in a COO role or similar senior operations role, with a strong preference for U.S. nonprofit experience. Experience managing international operations for U.S.-based organizations is a plus.
• Strong ability to build fair, efficient, and effective systems, processes, and policies to support organization-wide productivity and coordination.
• Expertise in nonprofit compliance, including knowledge of 501(c)(3) regulations and reporting requirements.
• Track record of successfully fostering a positive team culture during significant organizational growth and change.
• Strong people management experience and skills, with the ability to lead and develop high-performing teams.
• Excellent financial skills, including experience with nonprofit accounting principles and budgeting.
• Comprehensive understanding of HR best practices, including experience with remote and international workforce management.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with diverse stakeholders.
• Proven ability to work independently, reliably, and asynchronously in a primarily remote environment.
• Willingness and ability to travel both domestically and internationally, including for team retreats. (We anticipate that the COO will travel about three times per year on average.)
• Full professional working proficiency in English.
• Demonstrated experience embodying the operational leadership of an organization while engaging with external authorities and stakeholders.