Chief Operating Officer

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.