About the Job
Chief Operations Officer (Apply by June 7)
Purpose
Rhizome’s purpose is to build collective power for young people to create a safer, happier, and healthier world through organizing and civic engagement.
Since launching with 90 Co-Founders nearly five years ago, the organization has rapidly expanded and is building operational systems to sustain long-term impact and organizational sustainability.
The purpose of this role is to scale organizational impact, develop and implement operations strategies aligned with organizational values, and ensure smooth, sustainable operations across the organization.
Mission and Vision
Rhizome’s mission is to activate young people’s identities into action and help youth treat civic service as the work of a lifetime.
The organization envisions a future where everyone has the time and resources needed to prioritize love over survival.
Summary
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) serves as the strategic and operational leader responsible for strengthening organizational infrastructure, improving operational effectiveness, and supporting long-term impact and sustainability.
Working closely with the Co-CEOs, leadership team, and Board of Directors, the COO will oversee operations, compliance, technology strategy, analytics, optimization, and process improvement initiatives.
This role requires a strategic, mission-driven, and analytical operations leader who can integrate data, AI, and systems-thinking into organizational decision-making.
The ideal candidate is execution-oriented, collaborative, and skilled at building scalable systems while simplifying complexity and fostering accountability and alignment.
The COO will modernize operational infrastructure, improve workflows, support staff effectiveness, and ensure compliance and sustainability across the organization.
Highlights
Starting salary: $120,000 annually, with annual raises
12 weeks of PTO, including:
3 weeks in May
3 weeks in December
10 Summer Fridays
10 holidays
2 flex weeks
3 months of paid parental leave
2-month sabbatical every 3 years
Flexible hours, with common hours between 12 PM – 5 PM ET Monday through Friday
Remote within the United States
2–3 weeklong staff gatherings annually
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
100% premium coverage up to $500/month and 25% dependent coverage
401(k) with employer matching
$1,500 annual stipend for professional development, equipment, and technology
2 additional weeks of Personal Care Time as needed
Organization Overview
Rhizome is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit co-founded by 90 young people in 2021.
The organization focuses on civic engagement, organizing, and youth leadership development.
This Role
The COO will work closely with the Co-CEO of Power-Building and Fellowship Impact (PFI) and the Co-CEO of Sustainability and Shared Vision (SSV) to lead operations.
The role also includes collaboration with the Board of Directors and staff across the organization to build cohesive operational systems.
Primary focus areas include:
People
Improve how staff are supported and how organizational time is allocated toward sustainability and impact.
Systems & Processes
Develop workflows, communication structures, and continuous improvement systems across organizational operations.
Build, maintain, and facilitate organization-wide use of data systems.
Tools & Technology
Integrate and optimize the organization’s technology stack and evaluate purposeful technology adoption.
Compliance & Finance
Partner with Gusto and Jitasa to ensure payroll, accounting, and employment documentation processes remain compliant and organized.
Team Structure
The COO will be co-managed by the Co-CEOs and will manage a Strategic Coordinator working 10 hours per week.
The organization also plans to hire a full-time Operations Associate within 1–2 years based on organizational needs.
Qualifications
Minimum of 3 years of nonprofit leadership experience required
Strong preference for candidates with COO or Operations Director experience
Experience in organizing or social justice spaces
Deep understanding of operations, compliance, and technology systems
Strong communication skills and experience managing Gen Z staff
Additional preferred qualifications include:
5–10 years of progressive leadership experience in operations, administration, nonprofit management, strategy, or organizational leadership
Experience implementing and optimizing operational technology systems
Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and systems-management capabilities
Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills
Passion for civic engagement, organizing, or pro-democracy movements
Experience building scalable operational systems
Experience facilitating virtual collaboration spaces
Experience in youth organizing or youth leadership
Ideal Candidate Profile
Focused on implementation and execution
Able to simplify complex systems and processes
Experienced nonprofit leader with compliance and multi-state operations knowledge
Able to align operational systems with organizational strategy and student safety priorities
Strong and intentional communicator
Experienced in scaling and sustaining organizational impact
Collaborative team player with emotional maturity
Knowledgeable in nonprofit operations, governance, and compliance
Comfortable with AI tools, analytics, automation, and process improvement systems
Flexible, adaptable, and mission-driven
Key Responsibilities
Additional details regarding key responsibilities and hiring timelines are available through the organization’s full application page.
Application Process
Applications are due by end of day June 7.
Screening interviews will begin on a rolling basis in early June.
Timeline details may shift slightly based on organizational and candidate needs.
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