Chief Operating Officer

Chief Operating Officer

Native American Rights Fund (NARF)

Location: Boulder, Colorado (Hybrid)
Reports to: Executive Director

 

About the Native American Rights Fund

 

The Native American Rights Fund (NARF) is a national 501(c)(3) legal organization dedicated to protecting Native American rights, resources, and lifeways through litigation, legal advocacy, and legal expertise.

Founded in 1970, NARF has represented more than 300 Tribal Nations and Native organizations, advancing Tribal sovereignty, treaty rights, voting rights, natural resource protection, Native religious freedom, Indian education, and other issues impacting Native communities. Headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, with offices in Washington, D.C., and Anchorage, Alaska, NARF employs more than 70 staff and is governed by an all-Native volunteer Board of Directors.

 

Position Summary

 

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a newly created executive leadership position responsible for strengthening and advancing NARF's operational infrastructure during a period of significant organizational growth.

 

Reporting to the Executive Director, the COO provides strategic and operational leadership across Finance & Accounting, Human Resources, Information Technology, Development, Communications, Facilities, and organizational administration. The COO partners closely with the Executive Director, Deputy Director, senior leadership, and Board of Directors to ensure that NARF's operations effectively support its legal advocacy and long-term strategic priorities.

 

Key Responsibilities

 

Strategic Leadership

 

• Partner with executive leadership to develop and implement organizational strategy.

• Align operational priorities with mission-driven legal work.

• Lead organizational planning and cross-functional initiatives.

• Foster collaboration, accountability, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.

• Support organizational change management and long-term capacity building.

 

Finance & Accounting

 

• Oversee Finance and Accounting in partnership with the Chief Financial Officer.

• Lead annual budgeting, financial forecasting, and long-range planning.

• Strengthen financial reporting, internal controls, audits, compliance, and Board reporting.

• Evaluate financial implications of strategic initiatives and organizational investments.

 

Development

 

• Provide executive oversight of fundraising operations.

• Partner with Development leadership on fundraising strategy and revenue planning.

• Ensure fundraising goals align with organizational priorities and financial planning.

• Strengthen donor engagement systems and operational support.

 

Information Technology

 

• Lead technology and cybersecurity strategy.

• Oversee technology infrastructure, vendors, and managed service providers.

• Develop technology roadmaps supporting organizational growth.

• Ensure strong cybersecurity, privacy, risk management, and business continuity practices.

 

Human Resources

 

• Oversee all Human Resources functions.

• Support recruiting, employee relations, compliance, and performance management.

• Develop leadership development and employee engagement strategies.

• Ensure workforce planning aligns with organizational needs.

 

Communications

 

• Oversee organizational communications.

• Protect and strengthen NARF's public profile.

• Ensure communications effectively communicate organizational impact and mission.

 

Facilities & Operations

 

• Oversee facilities across multiple office locations.

• Ensure safe, functional, and efficient work environments.

• Manage vendors and facility-related services.

 

Risk Management & Administration

 

• Lead enterprise risk management.

• Oversee insurance, business continuity planning, and crisis preparedness.

• Lead major organizational initiatives and cross-functional projects.

 

Board Support

 

• Prepare operational reports and dashboards.

• Support Board governance and fiduciary responsibilities.

• Present organizational performance and operational updates to leadership and the Board.

 

Qualifications

 

Successful candidates will bring:

 

• Commitment to NARF's mission.

• 10+ years of senior leadership experience.

• Five or more years serving as a Chief Operating Officer or comparable executive.

• Leadership across multiple operational functions including finance, HR, technology, development, operations, facilities, compliance, or risk management.

• Strong strategic planning and organizational leadership experience.

• Experience leading organizations through growth and change.

• Exceptional communication, collaboration, and consensus-building skills.

• Financial acumen and experience using financial information to guide organizational decisions.

• Experience building high-performing teams and fostering operational excellence.

 

Preferred qualifications include:

 

• Experience working with Native American communities or Tribal governments.

• Experience within nonprofit, public interest law, or mission-driven organizations.

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree in business, finance, law, or a related field preferred.

 

Reporting Structure

 

The Chief Operating Officer reports directly to the Executive Director and oversees approximately 22 staff members, including five direct reports.

 

Compensation & Benefits

 

Salary: $268,000–$307,000

 

NARF offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

 

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance

• Paid vacation and sick leave

• Parental and medical leave

• Employer-paid life and disability insurance

• 401(k) with employer contribution

• Hybrid work environment

 

The successful candidate is expected to reside within reasonable driving distance of the Boulder, Colorado office and maintain a regular in-office presence.

 

Application Process

 

Candidates should submit:

 

• Resume

• Cover Letter

 

The cover letter should address:

 

• Senior operations leadership experience

• Change management experience

• Strategy development and implementation

• Ability to work from the Boulder, Colorado area

 

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.