Deputy COO

The Deputy COO at Climate Imperative Foundation supports the COO in enhancing internal operations, systems, and administrative functions. This role involves overseeing IT & Systems and Executive Support teams, optimizing technologies, and ensuring effective office operations in San Francisco and Washington, DC. The position requires 10+ years in operations or related fields, focusing on organizational strategy, team leadership, and continuous improvement to support remote staff.
REPORTS TO: Chief Operating Officer

POSITION SUMMARY

The Deputy Chief Operating Officer (Deputy COO) supports the Chief Operating Officer in managing and strengthening the organization's internal operations, systems, facilities, and administrative functions. Working closely with the COO, Senior Manager, Executive Support, and Director, IT & Systems, the Deputy COO ensures the organization's infrastructure operates effectively, including oversight of facilities across our San Francisco and Washington, DC offices and support for remote staff. This role brings a strong technical perspective to the evolution of systems, including the thoughtful optimization of technologies such as AI, and drives execution of operational priorities across teams.

Reporting to the COO, the Deputy COO oversees the IT & Systems and Executive Support teams and leads efforts to strengthen internal systems, coordination, and staff support functions. With a strong foundation in IT and systems, the Deputy COO drives continuous improvement in how the organization leverages technology to operate effectively, enabling the COO to focus on strategic leadership and long-term planning.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Operational Execution & Organizational Coordination

Partner with the COO to drive execution of organizational strategy and operational priorities Translate priorities into clear plans, timelines, and cross-team coordination Monitor operational performance and identify opportunities to improve systems and processes Support organization-wide planning, including annual operations planning and goal tracking Partner with the COO and People team on workforce planning to support organizational needs IT & Systems

Set the strategic direction for the organization's IT & Systems infrastructure, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities Lead the evolution and optimization of systems and data capabilities, including refining the organization's use of AI and emerging technologies Partner with the Director, IT & Systems to guide priorities and strategy, ensuring a high-performing and forward-looking function Executive Support

Oversee the Executive Support team to ensure coordinated, high-quality support for senior leadership Establish and refine systems and workflows to improve efficiency and alignment Partner with the Senior Manager, Executive Support on team development, capacity planning, and continuous improvement Facilities & Office Operations

Provide strategic oversight of office operations across our San Francisco and DC offices, ensuring environments effectively support staff needs Oversee vendor and partner relationships to ensure effective and efficient facilities operations Identify opportunities to improve office systems, policies, and space utilization Team Leadership & Organizational Support

Lead and support the IT & Systems and Executive Support teams, including performance management and professional developmentFoster strong communication and coordination across operational teamsServe as a trusted operational partner to the COO in addressing organizational needs and opportunities EXPERIENCE

10+ years of professional experience in operations, organizational management, nonprofit leadership, business administration, or a related fieldDemonstrated ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and sound judgmentExperience leading or supporting change management initiatives in complex, evolving organizationsBuilder mindset, experience creating, refining, and scaling processes, systems, and teamsStrong leadership and people management skills, including experience supervising teams and supporting staff developmentExperience improving organizational systems, processes, or workflows to increase efficiency and effectivenessStrong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environmentExcellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across teams and leadership levelsExperience working in nonprofit, policy, or mission-driven organizations preferredAbility to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative, and evolving environment WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This role is done primarily in an office environment with travel to our Washington, DC office required approximately 2 times per year. An employee must be able to satisfy the following physical requirements with or without a reasonable accommodation.

Remain in a stationary position (at a desk) for at least 75% of the day Use hand and fingers to type Frequently communicate via phone or video and email and must be able to communicate using those methods This description reflects essential functions, it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

Climate Imperative operates from two office locations in San Francisco, CA and Washington, DC. Employees based in those areas work from the office one to three days per week. We support a hybrid work environment and bring the full team together in person one to two times per year for organization-wide collaboration.

SALARY  

We provide a salary commensurate with qualifications and experience. The target national salary range is $235,500 to $245,500 with adjustments made for people in higher-expense markets, i.e. the San Francisco Bay Area, New York City, and Washington D.C. Equity is incredibly important to the organization, and a pay audit for equity is completed annually.

BENEFITS 

Climate Imperative provides a comprehensive benefits package. The benefits include: 

Up to 100% of premium paid for medical, dental, and visionShort term and long term disability insuranceCompany sponsored life insurance and voluntary lifeCarrot fertility and family planning benefitsStudent loan repayment assistance401k retirement plan with a company match contributionAnnual professional development budgetInternet, cell phone, and health & wellness reimbursement14 paid holidays and four weeks of paid time off (PTO)Paid parental leave, jury duty, and bereavementPublic transportation benefit options for office staffRegular staff lunches and team building activitiesSF and DC office stocked with healthy snacks and beveragesAn innovative, collaborative, welcoming work culture OUR COMMITMENT

Climate Imperative is committed to diversity, equity, & inclusion and to a transparent recruitment process that fosters belonging. Our goal is to hire and advance people regardless of race, gender, ability, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, military service, medical condition, and any other protected characteristic under local, state, or federal law. We encourage people from all backgrounds to apply.

We are committed to an accessible employee experience. If at any time you need a reasonable accommodation, please contact jobs@climateimperative.org.

ABOUT US

Climate change is governed by physical facts—about carbon sources, accumulation, impacts, and timing, and more importantly, about solutions that work. These facts must inform strategy: they show that avoiding dangerous climate change is only possible through strong policy to cut carbon, promptly, in the biggest countries. To address these issues, Climate Imperative was founded to provide resources to the field of climate policy in this decisive decade.

Climate Imperative is a 501(c)(3) public charity focused on solving the climate crisis at speed and scale by providing funding, technical support, and expertise to win the world's most significant emissions reduction policy decisions this decade.

Climate Imperative operates from two office locations in San Francisco, CA and Washington, DC. Employees based in those areas work from the office one to three days per week. We support a hybrid work environment and bring the full team together in person one to two times per year for organization-wide collaboration.