Chief Operating Officer

Scion Executive Search (SES) has been retained to conduct a search for a determined, gritty, and passionate Chief Operating Officer on behalf of our exceptional client, Inspire Access, a startup nonprofit dedicated to closing the gender and racial investment gap by directing philanthropic capital towards for-profit companies led by women and people of color!

The ideal candidate possesses an action-oriented, entrepreneurial, adaptable, and innovative approach to business planning and management. This is a full-time, hybrid opportunity looking for candidates located within the Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia region or willing to relocate!

ABOUT INSPIRE ACCESS:

Inspire Access is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that aims to close the gender and racial investment gap by investing philanthropic dollars to funds and companies led by women and people of color founders who have historically lacked access to investment capital. The Inspire Access team holds years of experience investing in underrepresented-led entrepreneurs and has seen the enormous potential that breaks through when more equitable funding occurs. They believe in a world that works better for everyone, and where its brightest minds and innovative businesses have access to that capital.

Recognizing that there is nearly $200B in inactive Donor Advised Funds available, they saw an opportunity to narrow the investment gap by unlocking this capital, mitigating one of the defining issues of inequality in the US today. Inspire Access allows the use of resources sitting in their Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) to direct investments in for-profit companies of their choosing, with the return flowing back to those personal charitable entities to make an even greater impact. Learn more at https://www.inspireaccess.org/.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Chief Operating Officer will bring execution, structure, organization, and strategic alignment to the team of 4 employees, ensuring all roles are focused on executing the right priorities. This role will report to the Founder and CEO, who leads development and external facing engagements, while working closely with the Board to achieve desired outcomes.

In leading a dynamic team, a deep knowledge of the field, core programs, operations, and business plans will be crucial in achieving future outcomes, as well as a proven track record of success within leadership, coaching, and relationship management.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leadership & Management:

• Oversee the organization's operations, program development, staff hiring, vendor selection, investment decisions, and marketing and communications.
• Enforce policies and procedures to adhere to HR and legal best practices while maintaining company culture and values across departments.
• Lead, coach, and motivate the team to achieve Inspire Access's mission.
• Drive the implementation of the strategic plan, monitor KPIs, and ensure timely goal achievement by delegating tasks effectively.
• Ensure financial stability and sustainability by monitoring the budget and reallocating resources as needed.
• Oversee systems to track scaling progress and impact, and regularly evaluate program components.
• Maintain strong relationships and open communication with the Board of Directors, supporting the CEO in leading board meetings.
• Remain updated on trends in private equity, venture capital, startups, impact investing, philanthropy, and best practices for leadership and organizational development.
• Stay abreast of issues related to racial and gender equity.

Programs and Impact:

• Lead program development and engagement for the organization.
• Serve as the main point of contact for the founders and companies that have received investments.
• Grow the network and ecosystem by identifying, performing due diligence, and executing new investment opportunities aligned with the mission.
• Build and maintain an optional resource guide to support founders in finding operational, legal, and educational resources.
• Establish and execute program communication reports to stakeholders regarding our progress and impact.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• 10+ years of senior management experience in a nonprofit, philanthropic institution, or impact investing organization.
• Understanding of the investment-philanthropy nexus.
• A passion for supporting underrepresented entrepreneurs.
• Proven track record of effectively leading, building, and growing an impact-focused organization.
• Unwavering commitment to quality programs and data-driven program evaluation.
• Ability to multitask, manage, and execute multiple functions of the organization simultaneously.
• Excellence in organizational management, with the ability to coach staff, manage and develop high-performance teams, and set and achieve strategic objectives.
• Strong marketing, public relations, and fundraising experience, with the ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders and cultures.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; a persuasive and passionate communicator with excellent interpersonal and multidisciplinary project skills.
• Ability to work effectively in collaboration with diverse groups of people.
• Passion, integrity, positive attitude, mission-driven, and self-directed.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

In addition to a competitive annual base salary of $170,000, this rewarding role also includes an exceptional benefits package which includes medical, dental, and vision, basic life insurance, 401b, 15 days of PTO, 5 days of sick leave, 12 weeks of paid parental leave, and 11 recognized holidays, in addition to Christmas through New Year’s Eve off.

TO APPLY:

Our client has retained the services of Scion Executive Search, a national nonprofit search firm specializing in mission-driven organization recruitment, to assist in conducting this important search. For immediate consideration, please apply with your resume and cover letter formatted in Microsoft Word, via https://scionexecutivesearch.com/job/11975/.

Please address applications to:

Ex Hopson, Executive Search Principle

Scion Executive Search

Review of applications, nominations, and expressions of interest will begin immediately and continue on a confidential basis until an appointment is made.