Job Description

The Institute for Security and Technology (IST), a 501(c)(3) critical action think tank that unites technology and policy leaders to create solutions to emerging security challenges, is actively seeking highly motivated practitioners to join our team as the Chief Operating Officer (COO). We are a passionate, tight-knit team, excited about the challenges we are tackling join us at the cutting edge of emerging technology security policy! IST takes collaborative action to advance national security and global stability through trustworthy technology, guiding businesses and governments with handson expertise, indepth analysis, and a global network. Originally founded in 2015 and relaunched in 2020, IST has launched a vast array of impactful initiatives addressing challenges such as ransomware, the resilience of lifeline critical infrastructure, trust and safety, nuclear risk reduction, the role of artificial intelligence, and more. IST has grown rapidly into a dynamic organization with 30+ fulltime employees, 15+ adjunct experts, a 10member (and growing) board of directors, with an expanding annual budget of more than $6M.

Position

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) will be a key member of ISTs executive leadership team, reporting directly to the CEO and responsible for overseeing daytoday operations, strengthening organizational systems, and ensuring ISTs growth is sustainable, missiondriven, and wellmanaged.

The COO will partner closely with the CEO and program leadership to drive operational excellence across finance, people, communications, and organizational strategy, enabling IST to sustainably scale its impact during a pivotal stage of growth.

Key Responsibilities

Organizational Leadership & Strategy

• Partner with the CEO and senior leadership to implement the institutional elements of ISTs strategic vision and multiyear strategic plan and theory of change.
• Translate strategic goals into operational roadmaps and ensure accountability across teams.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO, supporting decisionmaking and implementation of company policies.

Operations & Management

• Oversee and strengthen core operations, including HR, finance, communications, compliance, IT, and facilities.
• Manage the team leads for HR, operations, development, and communications.
• Design and implement systems to support a hybrid workforce, highpowered Board of Directors, and global network of adjunct experts.
• Ensure operational excellence in program delivery, administration, and reporting.
• Lead financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting in collaboration with the Senior Director for Operations and the operations and development teams.
• Coordinate the development of ISTs full budget, in conjunction with program leadership.
• Lead the development of the budget for IST support functions, including HR, comms, operations, and development.
• Ensure compliance with nonprofit financial standards, audits, and donor reporting requirements.
• Liaise with outside counsel on legal matters pertaining to the institution.
• Support resource allocation and sustainable growth aligned with ISTs ~$6M budget.

People & Culture

• Cultivate a valuesdriven, inclusive, and highperformance culture across ISTs growing team.
• Oversee talent development, recruitment, and retention strategies to ensure IST attracts and supports top talent.
• Strengthen professional development and performance management systems.

Governance & Board Relations

• Partner with the CEO and Board Chair to support an expanding 10+ member Board of Directors.
• Manage board operations, ensuring effective governance practices and highquality board engagement.
• Provide board reporting on finance, operations, and organizational performance.

Qualifications

Required

• Masters, Bachelors, or equivalent combination in a relevant field such as Finance, Accounting, Economics, Engineering, or Technology, or an equivalent combination of education and extensive operational and financial management experience
• 10+ years of senior leadership experience in operations, preferably within nonprofits, think tanks, or missiondriven organizations, including oversight of finance, HR, compliance, communications, information technology, and organizational systems.
• Demonstrated success scaling organizations through phases of rapid growth.
• Exceptional management and leadership skills with ability to inspire and guide diverse teams.
• Excellent strategic, analytical, and problemsolving skills.
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills; ability to work with senior leaders, board members, and external partners.
• Ability to manage multiple projects in tandem and ensure efficient execution.
• Must be legally able to work in the United States without sponsorship. As required by the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA), IST only employs persons legally eligible to work in the US. New employees must complete an I-9 Form and provide actual documents verifying their identity and eligibility to work in the US within three (3) business days of the date of hire. IST participates in the EVerify program to electronically verify employment eligibility.
• This position is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check.

Preferred

• Experience in policy, technology, security, or related fields.
• Extensive familiarity with nonprofit governance and fundraising.
• Experience with corporate communications.
• Comfort navigating fastpaced, entrepreneurial, and missiondriven environments.
• Strong preference for candidates in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Compensation and benefits

The expected annual base salary range for this role is $200,000.00 - $225,000.00 depending on skills and experience.

ISTs generous compensation package consists of three core elements: base salary, benefits, and the potential for bonuses. We are committed to pay fairness and aim for these three elements collectively to be highly competitive with market rates in the nonprofit sector. Benefits we offer include:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance for you and all your dependents.
• 401(k) plan with up to 4% matching.
• 12 weeks paid parental leave.
• Unlimited PTO after the introductory period. Most staff take between 34 weeks each year, sometimes more!
• Potential stipends for education, home office, commuting, and wellness.
• Potential for partial relocation support for those moving to the Bay Area.
• Opportunity to shape the trajectory of a growing, highimpact nonprofit at the forefront of security and technology policy.
• Collaborative, missiondriven colleagues and culture.
• Flexible and hybrid work environment.

Compensation is dependent on experience and is based on ISTs good faith estimate for this position, in San Francisco, CA, as of the date of publication and may be modified in the future. The level of pay, exact job title and role will depend on a variety of jobrelated factors, including where you place on our internal performance ladders, which is based on factors including past work experience, relevant education, and performance on our interviews or in a work trial.

Location

IST is a hybridwork organization, with both remote and inperson opportunities. Due to our focus on convening stakeholders for inperson meetings and working groups. IST has established a physical office in the San Francisco Bay Area and in Washington, DC, and requires any incumbent in those areas to work at least two days a week in the office.

How to apply

Kindly utilize this link to submit your application and feel free to reach out to Hiring@securityandtechnology.org if you have any inquiries.

We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and particularly encourage candidates from communities that are historically underrepresented in foreign affairs and national security. Read ISTs Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging statement.

For more information, visit If youre ready to embark on an exhilarating journey at the forefront of AI security policy, then seize this opportunity to join us at IST. Apply now and become a driving force in shaping the future of AI security and national security policy!

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Job Tags

Full time, Work experience placement, Work at office, Remote work, Home office, Relocation package, Flexible hours, 2 days per week,

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