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MuckRock Foundation over 2 years ago
location: remote
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Location:  US Locations only; 100% Remote

Job Description

Our first Chief Operating Officer will lead our operational and administrative functions and is key to successfully executing our strategy for growth over the next five years as we expand our operations, build-out robust earned income through paid services, and consistently execute on projects that shape local, national, and international policy.

To be successful at that, we’re looking for someone with a strong strategic and financial planning experience and who is eager to help define and structure everything from top-tier HR processes to clear project management to a cohesive business model that ensures a high level of operational excellence and consistent customer support.

We are proud of the strong innovation culture we have developed and are excited about the next chapter of evolution and growth. It is now time to develop a strong operational discipline to ensure the consistent and effective execution of our daily work in alignment with our big strategic goals. This role’s top priorities will be to strengthen our customer support operations, build a project management foundation across the organization, and update our operating practices so we get to where we want to go efficiently and effectively.

The Chief Operating Officer will report directly to the CEO, overseeing an existing support team as well as new roles in both project management and client success, with regular engagement with MuckRock’s Board of Directors.

You are excited about this opportunity because you are great at …

Operational Excellence

  • Lead and consistently execute strategic priorities across the organization in collaboration with the technology and editorial teams.
  • Help teams develop a culture of operational excellence, including improving organizational project management skills and focused prioritization to achieve organizational impact.
  • Lead projects to completion on time and on budget, while building buy-in across stakeholders across a erse range of internal and external teams. Have the judgment to proactively align on project scope and expectations and know when and how to push our teams to achieve stretch goals.
  • Hire and onboard a project management lead to aid our efforts in building project management as a core competence across the organization.

Services & Program Effectiveness

  • Grow, develop, and inspire our client support and operations teams, while developing a financial and operational plan to grow the organization’s impact and sustainability.
  • Work across the organization to identify and implement productivity-improving measures that will help the team become more effective, efficient, and reliable over time.
  • Ensure that our teams have clear KPIs, regular feedback and development opportunities, and a plan for ongoing improvement and innovation.
  • Work closely with the technology team on developing and tracking our technical road map to help shape key product updates that will drive a consistently great transparency platform.

Success measures

  • Within 3 months, operationalize strategic plan through clear departmental goals and feedback, and align efforts of customer support, editorial, and technology teams with focused and measurable KPIs. Help us develop and implement our “organizational operating system” that gives clarity around where efforts are focused.
  • Within 9 months, work closely with the CEO and across teams to grow existing subscription revenue while formalizing our consulting services for repeatable execution and mission-aligned new income.
  • Within 15 months, lead our paid services program to consistently meet a wider range of high-touch user needs while bringing in over $300,000 in annualized revenue and helping us grow our overall budget to over $1.6 million.

We’re excited about you because you have/are…

  • 10+ years of operational experience and 4+ years in a senior leadership role responsible for managing teams.
  • Demonstrated strategic planning, financial management, and project management skills; highly organized and can scope, plan, and implement a variety of projects varying in size and complexity, on time and within budget.
  • Enthusiastic about operational outcomes – you have the experience and confidence to come into a situation and organize energy and potential into directed action and impact.
  • Goal-oriented; demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally and push through roadblocks or inertia to figure out what solution (tool, process, resource) will achieve the goal. You are effective at helping others clearly define their goals and outline steps to achieve them.
  • A great communicator — both at explaining and listening. You get excited about people, process, and technology, and the potential for the three to work well together for more fulfilling and impactful work.
  • Growth-oriented with a low ego; demonstrated ability to learn from past actions, inidually and collectively, and apply insights to help our teams be successful in the future.
  • Strong leader; you easily model integrity and high standards for yourself and others. You are passionate about developing your direct team through quality 1:1 time, resources, training, and timely feedback. You foster psychological safety through honesty, authenticity, and vulnerability. You are intentional in how you highlight and celebrate the wins and accomplishments of yourself and others.
  • Computer competency with Google suite products; tech-savvy; Essential technical skills: HRMS, Excel, Slack, Google Suite (doc, slides, sheets).
  • A background in software/tech and customer service. Understanding journalism, civic technology, or non-profit sectors is a plus, but we’re looking for someone who is relentless in helping a team execute on targets first and foremost.
  • Distributed team experience is a plus.

Benefits and compensation

  • This will be a full-time remote role with an annual salary range of $100K – $120K, based on experience.
  • Three weeks of paid vacation annually, plus ten holidays (US postal holidays), and the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day off.
  • Health insurance with full premium paid for employees and 75% of the premium for dependents.
  • Professional development, including covering costs for conference and event attendance.
  • All board meetings are open to all staff and include meaningful engagement.
  • Company dental, vision, and health flexible spending account plans.
  • Paid parental leave.
  • 401K with 4% match.
  • Life and Disability Insurance.
  • Budget for a new laptop that you pick out and other home office purchases.
  • Distributed team with flexible scheduling.
  • We recognize that erse teams make the strongest teams, and we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply.

To apply, please fill out the application form located here. Reach out to [email protected] with any questions.

Location: US Locations Only