Chief Operating Officer (Washington)

Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer

Full‑time position. Reports to the Executive Director and is responsible for ensuring HRW’s mission is implemented efficiently, effectively and with maximal impact by managing day‑to‑day internal operations, translating strategy into action, optimizing processes, managing resources and ensuring highly effective and professional internal communications throughout the organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish a close partnership with the Executive Director and lead a clearly articulated operational strategy in support of HRW’s short‑ and long‑term goals.
• Focus on outcomes and improvement to ensure that the management, staffing and culture of the organization’s operational backbone are aligned with HRW’s mission and values.
• Work closely with the Executive Committee and senior leadership to ensure a culture of open and direct communication in a positive, fair and accountable workplace.
• Ensure consistent application of policies and practices, aligned with best practices, with the authority to ensure appropriate accountability across the organization.
• Work closely with the Deputy Executive Director, Chief Programs Officer and Chief Development Officer and ensure strong communication and collaboration between operations, programmatic and development teams and implementation of all structures, systems and processes.
• Optimize resource allocations to drive organizational priorities while managing long‑term financial stability of the organization, including investments.
• Support the development and delivery of a technology strategy that meets both programmatic and operational needs in a cost‑efficient manner.
• Oversee a modern and agile financial architecture to facilitate the optimization of annual financial planning.
• Lead the identification, evaluation, monitoring and mitigation of organization‑wide risk.
• Ensure that the organization attracts, supports and retains a skilled, diverse and high‑performing workforce, with special emphasis on implementing HRW’s initiatives on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and staff care.
• Oversee rigorous management training for HRW’s managers globally and ensure opportunities for development, growth and training of colleagues at all stages of their careers.
• Promote a healthy organizational culture, help staff build resilience and manage stress, lead by example and develop supportive systems for managing work effectively across multiple time zones.
• Collaborate with the Executive Committee to ensure effective strategic planning and implementation processes, including the setting of annual priorities and the alignment of financial tools.
• Institute proper monitoring and evaluation of performance throughout the organization.
• Perform other tasks as may be required.

Candidate Profile

The Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer is a purpose‑driven executive and critical strategic and operational partner who leads organizational and cultural change in service of HRW’s mission. While the Executive Director remains primarily externally and strategically focused as the face and voice of HRW, the COO brings the depth and breadth of experience needed to provide strong internal operational leadership and enhance the organization’s capacity to broaden HRW’s reach and impact domestically and globally.

Ideal Experience

• 15 or more years of executive‑level leadership in for‑profit or non‑profit organizations of comparable scale and complexity.
• Demonstrated success working as part of a senior leadership team driving innovative operational strategy, moving fluidly between serving as a strategic adviser and thought partner to the Executive Director, Board and senior leaders, and leading the detail‑oriented work of operations.
• Strong track record of leading internal change‑management processes, especially as it relates to organizational design, workforce management and culture, in addition to other areas of administrative oversight.
• A sophisticated understanding of financial management and the application of data to decision‑making; the ability to align systems, processes and objectives while encouraging individual initiative; proven analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Proven experience in leading and motivating a diverse, high‑performing workforce to achieve ambitious goals; demonstrated cultural sensitivity and a strong track record of building effective relationships across geographies.
• Deep, genuine commitment to the mission of human rights.

Critical Leadership Capabilities

Strategic Leadership

• Under the direction of the Executive Director, advance organizational change by partnering with the Executive Committee, senior leadership and Board members to create realistic, measurable, and clearly articulated goals aligned with strategic priorities.
• Bring an innovative and data‑driven approach to problem‑solving that builds resilience in processes, ensures predictability, and encourages transparency, teamwork and accountability.
• Identify and communicate strategic risks in a continually evolving, geopolitical environment.
• Analyze the programmatic and operational activities of the organization and, in conjunction with the management team, develop opportunities to improve efficiency and effectiveness.

Driving Results

• Communicate the executive leadership’s vision and strategy with enthusiasm and passion, frequently addressing long‑term goals to reinforce the bigger picture and reviewing progress with both team members and leadership.
• Incorporate best‑in‑class processes that deliver sustainable and significant productivity, lead by example and drive results through transparent and consistent leadership.
• Successfully balance the achievement of short‑term goals with the advancement of long‑term priorities and objectives to sustain organizational momentum; adapt to complex, evolving situations, adjusting scope as needed and embracing change with agility and comfort amid ambiguity.
• Identify strategic changes and develop implementation plans that achieve buy‑in across the organization.

People Leadership and Organizational Impact

• Model HRW’s values and norms, drawing on extensive experience to ensure the highest operational and management standards consistent with best practices for large, complex, international organizations.
• Set clear goals and foster a culture that celebrates positive change and innovation, engaging others through thoughtful leadership.
• Motivate, inspire and mentor teams, with a strong understanding of capability and potential, creating an environment that fosters professional development and promotes individual growth.
• Demonstrate respect for diversity in people, ideas and backgrounds; promote an organizational culture of diversity, equity and inclusion, managing performance in a fair, consistent and transparent manner.
• Cultivate energy, enthusiasm, commitment and accountability among staff, creating a collaborative and motivating environment that strengthens organizational effectiveness.
• Engage others in open dialogue, encourage constructive debate, actively listen and adapt approach to influence diverse constituents in ways that address their interests and concerns.

Location and Compensation

The position will be located in one of HRW’s global offices, with a strong preference for New York, Washington D.C. and London. The role requires significant travel.

Estimated compensation for this position if based in the United States is $340,000 – 375,000. Compensation ranges in other locations vary according to the local market. HRW offers a comprehensive Total Rewards package.

Actual salary range will be dependent on the individual’s skills, experience, qualifications and other relevant factors.

Location

Multiple Locations Considered

Equal Opportunity Statement

Human Rights Watch is strong because it is diverse. We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. Human Rights Watch does not discriminate on the basis of ability, age, gender identity and expression, national origin, race and ethnicity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation or criminal record. We welcome all kinds of diversity. Our employees include parents and non‑parents, the self‑taught and university‑educated, and people from a wide span of socioeconomic backgrounds and perspectives on the world. Human Rights Watch is an equal opportunity employer.