About Open New York

Open New York (ONY) is a grassroots, non-profit organization advocating for abundant homes and lower rent. With a rapidly growing staff and over a thousand active volunteer members across the State of New York, ONY seeks to implement local and statewide policy changes that expand housing options for all New Yorkers. From Rochester to the Rockaways, ONY is organizing to pass innovative and necessary legislation to finally dig New York out of its decades-long housing shortage.

About the Position

Open New York is seeking a Chief Operating Officer to serve as a strategic partner to the Executive Director and oversee the organization’s operations, financial strategy, and internal infrastructure. This role will act as the organization’s second-in-command, translating strategic priorities into coordinated execution across departments and ensuring strong alignment, accountability, and sustainability.

The Chief Operating Officer oversees financial planning and compliance across ONY’s 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and independent expenditure entities, strengthens fundraising and development infrastructure, and builds durable systems that support scale and long-term impact. They will also support Board engagement, serve as a key liaison to the Finance Committee, and help ensure strong governance practices.

The ideal candidate is a strategic and operational leader who can connect big-picture planning with effective day-to-day management, fostering clarity, collaboration, and organizational excellence in a fast-paced advocacy environment.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Organizational Alignment

• Partner with the Executive Director to set and refine organization-wide strategy, annual priorities, and multi-year goals.
• Oversee day-to-day organizational operations to ensure organizational priorities are aligned, coordinated, and executed effectively.

Financial Strategy & Organizational Sustainability

• Partner with the Executive Director to develop and manage annual and multi-year budgets across ONY’s 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and independent expenditure entities.
• Develop and maintain multi-year financial projections aligned with organizational growth and strategic ambitions.
• Oversee financial operations including systems, reporting, and forecasting in partnership with external finance consultants.
• Ensure strong internal budget management across departments, including regular reporting and variance tracking.
• Serve as the primary internal lead on financial strategy, translating complex financial information into clear insights for decision-making.
• Oversee audit processes, financial compliance, and risk management.

Fundraising & Development Infrastructure

• Collaborate with the Executive Director to develop multi-year fundraising strategies aligned with strategic and budgetary goals.
• Oversee fundraising strategy by aligning financial planning with development goals and long-term sustainability.
• Oversee development activities including systems, grant budgeting, donor tracking, and reporting.
• Ensure strong grant compliance, reporting, and coordination between program and development teams.
• Strengthen development infrastructure to support organizational growth.

Board Governance & Executive Support

• Serve as a strategic partner to the Executive Director in preparing for and facilitating Board engagement.
• Support Executive Director in Board operations, including agenda development, materials preparation, reporting dashboards, and strategic updates.
• Serve as primary staff liaison to the Board Finance Committee.
• Maintain strong governance systems, including board onboarding, committee coordination, and compliance documentation.

People, Culture & Organizational Effectiveness

• Oversee hiring strategy, workforce planning, and onboarding systems.
• Lead the design and implementation of performance management systems, including annual reviews, feedback processes, and professional development planning.
• Ensure internal policies, benefits administration, and workplace practices are consistent, equitable, and values-aligned.
• Oversee efforts to support directors in building strong, accountable, and inclusive team cultures.
• Oversee planning of staff retreats, strategic planning sessions, and organizational reflection processes.

Organizational Systems & Infrastructure

• Build and maintain durable internal systems that support scale, institutional memory, and long-term sustainability.
• Develop tools and dashboards to track progress against organizational goals.
• Oversee improvements to documentation practices, workflows, and operational clarity across departments.
• Lead efforts to ensure technology systems and operational infrastructure support staff effectiveness.

Legal, Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with nonprofit regulations, lobbying laws, campaign finance requirements, labor regulations, and grant restrictions across all entities.
• Oversee time tracking, expense allocation, and reporting systems required for advocacy and political activity.
• Supervise grant compliance and reporting processes, ensuring deadlines and requirements are met.
• Oversee contract review and vendor relationships to mitigate legal and financial risk.
• Identify organizational risks and proactively implement safeguards and mitigation strategies.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have

• 7+ years of professional experience in nonprofit leadership, advocacy, public policy, or related work
• Senior-level experience overseeing operations, strategy, and cross-functional teams
• Strong financial acumen, including experience with budgeting, financial planning, and financial oversight, including managing multi-entity or multi-program budgets
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain operational systems that support accountability, efficiency, and organizational growth
• Experience overseeing or supporting fundraising infrastructure, including grants, donor tracking, and compliance processes
• Knowledge of nonprofit compliance requirements, including grants management, reporting, and relevant labor and nonprofit regulations
• Experience working with boards, senior leadership, and external advisors such as legal or finance consultants
• Proven ability to translate strategy into clear goals, systems, and execution plans
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively across audiences
• Experience managing, supervising, and supporting staff, with a demonstrated commitment to inclusive, supportive, and transparent management practices
• Comfort navigating change and adapting systems and processes in response to evolving organizational needs
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities under pressure
• Collaborative leadership style with high emotional intelligence and sound judgment
• Demonstrated commitment to Open New York’s mission and pro-housing values

Employee Benefits

Open New York offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Medical insurance with 100% of employee premiums covered on the base plan, plus optional buy-up plans
• Dental, vision, and life insurance provided at no cost to employees who enroll in a medical plan
• 20 days of paid time off (PTO) annually
• 13 paid holidays each year
• 20 days of paid sick leave
• 16 weeks of paid parental leave
• Benefits eligibility beginning on the first day of employment

Additional Information

This a full time, exempt position, with a salary range of $150,000-$180,000 per year. The position is based in New York City and ONY operates as a hybrid team, with three days per week in our office in Lower Manhattan. The deadline for submitting applications to the Chief Operating Officer position is March 25, 2026.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Open New York is committed to a diverse workforce, and we seek diversity among applicants for this position. People of color, women, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Open New York is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.