Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Application Deadline: March 17, 2025

Applications will be processed on a rolling basis and we will review applications as we receive them. Candidates are strongly encouraged to apply early, as the position may be filled before the application deadline.

Employment Status: Full-time employee

Location: Remote (based between the U.S. Pacific and Central European Timezones). This role has specific working hour requirements in order to overlap with the whole team, ensuring availability for meetings from 7:00 a.m. Pacific Time or until 7:30 p.m. Central European Time depending on where the successful candidate is based. Applicants must have the legal right to live and work in the country where they are based. Please note that we are currently unable to sponsor visas.

Starting Date: As soon as possible after offer

Position Summary:

The Future Society (TFS) is seeking an experienced Chief Operating Officer (COO) to lead operations for our growing team of 17 staff. This executive-level role will take full ownership of human resources, finance, administration, systems, and compliance. Reporting to our Executive Director Nicolas Moës, the COO will play a pivotal role in executing our strategic vision and shaping our organizational culture and values as we scale. The successful candidate will be a seasoned operations professional who is passionate about TFS’s mission of aligning AI through better governance and has a demonstrated record of success in a similar senior role, preferably in a U.S. nonprofit with an international footprint.

Responsibilities:

Direct all facets of TFS’s operations, including HR, finance, systems, compliance, recruitment, as well as general operations supporting specific projects and activities as needed.
As a key member of TFS’s executive committee, collaborate on setting the strategic direction of the organization.
Lead and develop a high-performing operations team, fostering an impact-focused, positive, inclusive, and people-centered workplace culture. The successful candidate will have two full-time direct reports to start and may hire additional staff in 2025.
Define and uphold TFS’s cultural values across our international, remote-first workplace, collaborating closely with the Executive Director. Create and implement HR strategies, policies, and practices that support TFS’s growth, facilitate employee engagement, and reinforce our organizational culture. Lead initiatives to enhance employee experience, engagement, and retention.
Ensure strict compliance with U.S. nonprofit regulations, including an annual audit and timely filing of all required reports and maintaining 501(c)(3) status. Manage TFS’s international operations, including work with Employers of Record (EORs) and compliance with local regulations.
Manage all aspects of the organization’s finances, including financial planning, budgeting, and management to ensure transparency and fiscal responsibility. Manage relationships with external accounting partners and oversee annual audits.
Oversee the development, implementation, and optimization of organizational systems and processes to enhance efficiency and support collaboration. Maintain robust cybersecurity measures and data protection practices.
Manage relationships with external legal counsel and oversee all legal matters pertaining to TFS’s operations.

What we’re looking for:

Required

Interest in AI governance, including a focus on safety, ethics, and accountability. Previous experience working in AI governance is not required for this role.
Demonstrated success in a COO role or similar senior operations role at a U.S. nonprofit.
Knowledge and experience of nonprofit compliance, including 501(c)(3) regulations and reporting requirements.
Willingness and ability to travel both domestically and internationally, including for team retreats (We anticipate that the COO will travel about three times per year on average.)
Full professional working proficiency in English.

Preferred

Strong people management experience and interpersonal skills, with an aptitude for leading and developing high-performing teams.
Understanding of HR best practices, including experience with recruitment, remote and international workforce management, and culture building.
Experience in managing finances, including nonprofit accounting, budgeting, and reporting.
Effective at working independently, reliably, and asynchronously in a primarily remote environment.
Experience managing international operations for U.S.-based organizations, for example, familiarity with Employers of Record.

About The Future Society:

The Future Society (TFS) is an independent, U.S.-registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with the mission to align AI through better governance. Our focus is on general-purpose AI models that pose systemic risks, ensuring that powerful technologies are safe, respect fundamental rights and values, and serve the public interest.

Since 2014, we’ve been conducting research, organizing convenings, and advocating for AI governance mechanisms–ranging from laws and agencies to principles and standards. With our global, European, and U.S. governance teams, we are uniquely positioned to analyze and propose sound AI policy recommendations. Our work engages a broad range of decision-makers and we facilitate action-oriented dialogue including at our annual flagship event, The Athens Roundtable on AI and the Rule of Law. Learn more about our work on our About Us page.

Our global team includes team members based across ten countries. We collaborate remotely using platforms that include Zoom, Slack, and Coda, and meet in person for retreats twice a year.

Why join The Future Society?

A chance to do meaningful work for a mission-driven, independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a track record of impact.
An opportunity to help drive AI governance, putting AI safety, ethics, and accountability into practice.
An ability to shape and drive new practices and processes within an organization that operates with the energy and agility of a startup.
Be part of our dedicated, high-performing global team, with connections to a worldwide network of AI policy experts, nonprofits, companies, and institutions.
A supportive working environment with a culture of collaboration and respect for diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Evaluation Process:

Stage 1: Screening Interview with Operations Associate (30 minutes)
Stage 2: Full Work Test (3 hours, paid)
Stage 3: Interview with senior leadership (1 hour)
Stage 4: Interview with Nick Moës, Executive Director (1 hour)
Stage 5: Reference Checks & Employment Offer

Please reach out to jobs@thefuturesociety.org with any questions about the role or the application process.

TFS is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, gender identity, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age, membership in an employee organization, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors.

APPLY

The Future Society

Latest Jobs

COO