Chief Administrative Officer

Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Protect Democracy is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to defending democratic principles and the rule of law. We are seeking a courageous, experienced leader to serve as Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), overseeing finance, accounting, risk management, legal, IT, and security while upholding our core culture principles. Key Responsibilities Executive & Operational Leadership Serve as a core member of the senior leadership team and a strategic partner to the Executive Director, providing decisive leadership across all business operation domains. Develop and execute a unified operational strategy that aligns IT, security, legal/compliance, and finance to sustain and expand the organization’s impact. Ensure PD’s infrastructure, systems, and resources are resilient, compliant, and optimized to support programmatic excellence. Lead a process to innovate workflows with AI tools to build additional efficiencies. Collaborate with senior leadership to set organizational priorities, manage enterprise risk, and uphold a culture of accountability, integrity, and security. Act as steward of organizational health, balancing ambition with sustainability and ensuring operational foundations scale with the mission. Organizational Systems, Finance & Risk Management Safeguard financial assets by ensuring budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and auditing are transparent, disciplined, and aligned with strategic goals. Partner with finance and development teams to strengthen strategy, resource allocation, and compliance with funder and regulatory requirements. Supervise legal and compliance operations, providing guidance on risk management, governance, insurance, contracts, and compliance frameworks. Ensure IT and security systems are world‑class—secure, scalable, and prepared for mission needs; maintain highest standards of data protection, cybersecurity, and physical security. Continuously improve internal systems, processes, and policies to enhance efficiency, responsiveness, and collaboration. Team & Organizational Management Lead, mentor, and empower a high‑performing team of operational leaders, fostering a culture of excellence and candid communication. Collaborate closely with the Chief People Officer and Director of Partnerships to align workflows across the organization. Build cross‑functional partnerships that integrate operations seamlessly with programmatic work. Recruit and develop top‑tier operational talent to evolve organizational capacity. Make critical decisions balancing short‑term operational needs with long‑term strategic priorities. Champion a learning‑oriented, growth‑mindset culture of continuous improvement. Governance, Compliance & External Stewardship Serve as trusted advisor to the Executive Director and Board on all operational, legal, and financial matters. Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws; proactively manage risk across domains. Represent Protect Democracy externally with partners, auditors, legal advisors, vendors, and funders to align operations with mission and values. Model ethical leadership and uphold the organization’s reputation for integrity. The Ideal Candidate Mission‑driven leader with extensive experience overseeing finance, legal/compliance, and technology functions in a 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) environment. Deep understanding of risk management, governance, and regulatory frameworks, including lobbying and state registrations. Proven success building and scaling operational systems that support growth and impact. Strong financial acumen and ability to connect financial decisions to strategic priorities. Expertise in cybersecurity, data privacy, and information governance. Exceptional communication and relationship‑building skills across all levels. Growth mindset and enthusiasm for feedback culture. Passionate about leveraging AI tools to enhance efficiency without replacing staff. Commitment to Protect Democracy’s mission and culture. Compensation Starting salary range: $214,500 – $260,000, commensurate with experience and aligned with internal equity. Benefits Flexible vacation (4–5 weeks annually), 12 paid holidays, 6 weeks paid family medical leave, 18 weeks paid parental leave, 401(k) with up to 6% employer match, employee medical premiums covered at 100%, dental and vision at 100%, long‑term disability, life insurance, fertility benefits, home‑office stipend, and discretionary bonuses. Location & Work Environment Remote‑first organization based exclusively in the United States. Employees work primarily virtually and may use shared workspaces. Periodic travel (1–2 times per month) may be required; accommodations made only in exceptional circumstances. Application To apply, submit your resume and cover letter (PDF) through the application link on our website. All required materials must be uploaded; incomplete submissions will not be reviewed. Equal Employment Opportunity Protect Democracy is an equal‑opportunity employer. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, or veteran status. We provide a voluntary EEO survey to monitor our workforce representation. Participation is optional and will not affect your candidacy. #J-18808-Ljbffr Protect Democracy group