GLSEN - Chief Operating Officer

Chief Operating Officer

This is a remote position. Reports to : Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Team : Executive Leadership Team Direct report : Director of Finance Other management : Dotted-line accountability with Director-level leaders across Programs, Chapters, Development, Communications, and Operations Location & Schedule : Full-time, Remote / Hybrid, prioritizing candidates in New York Compensation : $145,000 to $175,000 annually + medical / vision / dental; 401k retirement savings; paid parental leave, holidays and vacation.

GLSEN is a national nonprofit working to ensure every student has the right to a safe, supportive, and inclusive K12 education. For more than three decades, GLSEN has partnered with students, educators, families, and a network of local chapters to advance LGBTQ+ inclusion, combat bullying, and foster school communities where all young people can thrive. With a strong national staff and chapters across the country, GLSEN drives impact through policy advocacy, research, public education campaigns, program resources, and direct support for students and educators. The organization is growing and adapting to meet todays challengesand is seeking a senior operator to strengthen systems, align work across the network, and amplify impact.

Organizational Integration & Leadership

• Lead cross-departmental alignmentensuring programs, communications, campaigns, and chapters execute against shared strategic priorities and consistent messaging.
• Establish meeting rhythms and decision-rights that drive clarity, timely decisions, and follow-through (executive leadership team, cross-functional, and chapter-facing forums).
• Supervise the Director of Finance; hold dotted-line accountability with other directors to coordinate planning and delivery.
• Champion youth engagement as a cross-cutting priority, ensuring student voice and leadership inform programs, campaigns, and chapter alignment.
• Model trauma-informed, values-aligned leadership; steward a culture of respect, transparency, and humor.

Finance & Operations Oversight

Board & Governance

Security & Risk Management

Strategic Troubleshooting & Change Management

Immediate Priorities (First 612 Months)

What Success Looks Like

Requirements

Who You Are

Must-Have Experience & Skills

Preferred Experience & Skills

Education

Leadership & Mindset

Note on background fit : We particularly value leaders who have thrived in lean, movement-oriented, networked environments. If most of your experience is in large, highly centralized national organizations, please highlight how you have operated in and adapted to agile, cross-functional contexts.

What Makes This Role Exciting

This is a top-tier executive role at a pivotal moment for GLSEN and for K12 equity more broadly. You will partner with a committed CEO and leadership team to advance a mission that mattersensuring LGBTQ+ students, and all young people, can learn and thrive in safe, affirming schools. You'll help shape the systems and culture that sustain impact across a national network, and you'll do it with colleagues who value rigor, honesty, respect, and laughter.

How to Apply

Please submit your resume and a brief cover letter describing your interest and relevant experience to via the application link. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Note : As part of the final interview stage, candidates will be invited to complete a short operating plan case exercise. This helps us understand your approach to integration and execution and gives you a chance to see how we think about our work. Compensation : $145,000 to $175,000 annually + medical / vision / dental; 401k retirement; paid parental leave, robust holidays and paid time off policies.

EEO Statement GLSEN is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, or veteran status.