Chief Operating Officer

Barbershop Books, Inc. • Full-time • Remote (New York, NY, US) • $105k - $110k / year • 1m ago

Description

Barbershop Books, an award-winning and nationally recognized literacy nonprofit, inspires Black boys and other vulnerable children to read for fun through child-centered, culturally responsive, and community-based programming and content. We are committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace, and strongly encourage candidates from underrepresented backgrounds to apply.

We are seeking a strategic and collaborative Chief Operating Officer (COO) to help lead our next phase of growth and impact. Reporting to the Executive Director, the COO will oversee day-to-day operations and partner closely with senior leadership to scale organizational systems, strengthen financial management, and cultivate a high-performing, inclusive team culture. While this position is virtual, our team includes remote and on-the-ground staff supporting community-based programming in New York City and Philadelphia. The COO will help foster connection across this distributed team and contribute to a flexible, mission-driven work culture built on trust, equity, and shared purpose.

Watch The Barbershop Books Program In Action

PROGRAMS:

Barbershop Books: Distributes boy-approved books to a national network of barbershops and provides early literacy training to barbers.

Barbershop Books E-Library: Free online collection of independently published children's e-books by Black and Brown authors and fun storytime videos.

Reading So Lit Summer: A virtual summer reading program that hires and trains male high school students of color to lead fun, interactive reading explorations with Black and Brown boys ages 6-8.

Reading So Lit (platform): A reading identity exploration and assessment platform for grades preK-5 that equips teachers and school leaders with actionable, strengths-based data to make student-driven decisions that accelerate reading achievement.

VALUES:

Child-centered: We embrace the possibilities, strengths, and interests of children

Leadership: We empower individuals and communities to expand learning opportunities

Fun: We inspire and model the joy of lifelong reading

Collaboration: We partner with diverse community stakeholders to create system change

Innovation: We develop unique, compelling, and transformational content and programs

Excellence: We pursue measured impacts and organizational efficiencies that support long-term sustainability

Responsibilities

Financial Management:

Partner with organization’s external accounting firm to ensure robust financial oversight, accurate monthly financial reports, and strong fiscal health.
Support Executive Director in developing, monitoring, and managing the annual organizational budget.
Track revenue and expenses in alignment with internal policies and nonprofit best practices to ensure financial compliance and sustainability.
Oversee secure and efficient collection, processing, and storage of physical mail and checks at the NYC office
Collaborate cross-functionally with development and program teams to ensure timely and accurate financial data collection for grant reporting.
Assist with reviewing and processing contracts and agreements in consultation with legal counsel to ensure organizational compliance and mitigate risk.
Prepare and present timely, accurate monthly financial reports to the Executive Director and Board Finance Committee to promote fiscal transparency and accountability.

Operations and Management:

Oversee day-to-day business operations and manage external contractors, ensuring nonprofit compliance.
Monitor cross-departmental performance and operational data to support track progress toward strategic goals including use of dashboards and performance reports.
Maintain open, timely communication with the Executive Director and Board regarding key milestones, risks, and opportunities.
Support board operations by staffing the finance committee and collaborating with the Executive Director to promote board engagement and effectiveness.
Coordinate with the programs team to manage inventory and ensure timely, cost-effective distribution of materials and resources.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Director.

Leadership and Human Capital Management:

Model high performance, collaborative problem-solving, and continuous learning.
Supervise the Director of Programs and Research and other future leadership roles to cultivate an empowered leadership team.
Oversee HR administration via Gusto, including contracts, benefits, onboarding, and offboarding.
Manage payroll, and ensure timely and accurate payments to vendors and contractors.
Foster a supportive and inclusive team culture where staff feel valued, connected, and motivated.
Collaborate with team and contractors to optimize IT systems, CRM, and project management tools.
Leverage cost-effective technologies to enhance internal and external communications.
Lead the annual performance reflection process and use staff feedback to advance a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organizational culture.
Provide general administrative supervision, including oversight of office support staff.

Qualifications and Experience

The ideal candidate is a purpose-driven, systems-oriented leader with a demonstrated ability to scale operations, manage complexity, and build inclusive, high-performing teams. We seek someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, brings strong strategic and operational expertise, and is deeply committed to advancing Barbershop Books’ mission and values.

4-year degree required; advanced degree or training in nonprofit management, operations, or finance a plus.
Minimum 4 years of senior-level experience in operations, financial management, or organizational leadership, preferably in the nonprofit sector.
Proven ability to manage cross-functional projects, develop and refine systems and policies, and drive organizational effectiveness.
Deep commitment to Barbershop Books’ mission, vision, and values.
Strong track record of cultivating inclusive, collaborative team cultures that prioritize accountability, learning, and equity.
Excellent strategic thinking, planning, and problem-solving skills.
Highly organized and detail-oriented with strong time management skills.
Technologically fluent; comfortable with tools like Google Workspace, QuickBooks, Asana, Bill.com, Canva, and CRM systems.
Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to build partnerships, manage contractors, and collaborate across time zones.
Flexible, adaptable, and energized by working in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment.