Chief Operating Officer

ABOUT SANCTUARY: Sanctuary for Families (Sanctuary) is New York’s leading service provider and advocate for survivors of domestic violence, sex trafficking, and related forms of gender violence. Every year, Sanctuary empowers thousands of adults and children to move from fear and abuse to safety and stability, transforming lives through a comprehensive range of services. The organization provides a range of wrap-around services to help survivors rebuild their lives in the aftermath of abuse, and work to end gender violence through three key strategies: direct services, outreach and training, and systems-change advocacy. Sanctuary’s services are available in 11 locations throughout New York City.

FUNDING: In recent years, Sanctuary has grown dramatically and now has a current annual operating budget of approximately $27 million. Revenue is provided from government (64%); foundations, corporations, law firms, and individuals (22%); and appeals and events (14%). Approximately 83 cents of every dollar donated to Sanctuary directly supports life-saving services.

THE OPPORTUNITY:  The Chief Operating Officer (COO) will be a key member of the senior team and will serve as an advisor to the Executive Director, focusing on strategic planning, operations, finance, human resources, grants management, data and evaluation, information technology, compliance, and risk management.

Working closely with the Executive Director, colleagues and the Board of Directors, the COO will work to streamline and optimize the way in which Sanctuary leverages its operations, administrative, financial, human resources, and IT resources to meet current goals and objectives, and to anticipate the organization’s future needs and resources. It is anticipated that the individual in this role will support implementation of the newly created organization-wide strategic plan.

The COO reports to the Executive Director and will provide leadership to and oversight for a team that currently includes the Director of Finance, Director of Human Resources and Director of Operations and Administration and their respective staff (totaling approximately 30). The individual in this role will also work closely with fellow executive team members and with Board-level committees (Finance, Audit, and the Executive Committee).

IDEAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• An advocate for ending gender violence.
• Genuine interest in the Sanctuary mission.
• Significant leadership experience in strategic planning, administration, business, and finance operations in a complex, multisite not-for-profit organization (or relevant government or private sector setting).
• An understanding of public grants and contracts administration.
• Experience serving as a trusted advisor to a CEO and other member of the senior leadership team.
• Successful history working with an engaged and committed board of directors.
• Strong grounding in not-for-profit finance.
• Ability to gather, analyze, and interpret financial information and make recommendations to senior leadership.
• Direct experience in human resources, facilities, risk management, and compliance.
• A skilled manager, mentor, and team leader.
• Tech savvy.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access in all facets of work.
• The highest commitment to professionalism, integrity, and confidentiality.
• Well-developed listening and communication skills.
• Strong commitment to client service.
• A calm, even-tempered disposition.
• Respectful and open to different points of view.
• Comfortable engaging with culturally and ethnically diverse staff, clients, stakeholders, and other constituents.
• Knowledgeable about New York City, its communities and neighborhoods, and some familiarity with the NYC government and legal communities.
• Ability and willingness to attend Sanctuary events and activities after business hours, as needed.
• Bachelor’s degree is required; an MBA or other relevant graduate degree is desirable.

Sanctuary for Families offers an attractive salary and benefits package.

Howe-Lewis International is pleased to have been retained by Sanctuary for Families to assist with this search. Please click here to apply online via the Howe-Lewis Talent Portal. You may also email your resume and letter of interest to kirk@howe-lewis.com

All expressions of interest will be held in confidence.