Chief Operating Officer – Charlottesville

Charlottesville Tomorrow is expanding and seeks a Chief Operating Officer who can help grow our nonprofit newsroom, holding our mission and values steady through operations.

The COO will report to and be a close partner to the CEO, supporting both day-to-day management and long-term strategic planning. This person will supervise operational staff, contractors and consultants, guide the team through change, and help create the infrastructure that enables Charlottesville Tomorrow’s community-first journalism to thrive.

A nonprofit newsroom that serves as a public service for the people of central Virginia, we produce journalism that deepens understanding, builds belonging, and enables residents to make informed decisions about their community. We share context that builds transparency and accountability and reporting that inspires, connects, and works toward a more just and vibrant future. Our vision is a future where trusted, inclusive local news strengthens democracy and builds a more connected, equitable community.

We work hard to create a healthy and inclusive work environment that is rethinking how local news is produced, both for the sake of journalists and business staff doing the work and the communities we serve.

While we are outlining job responsibilities and skills here, above all, we are looking for someone who wants to join our team to help build on that culture.

As a key member of the executive leadership team, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) will oversee essential operations of the organization including finance, facilities, people, benefits and strategic initiatives. This is a systems-level leadership role with the authority to set priorities, steward resources and drive Charlottesville Tomorrow’s mission and strategic goals forward.

Here are some of the responsibilities the COO will have.

• Translate vision into execution by designing and leading annual planning, performance tracking and internal accountability systems.
• Oversee all internal operations, ensuring teams and systems are aligned, efficient and mission-centered.
• Participate in budgeting, forecasting, cash flow planning, and financial scenario modeling, and work with fractional CFO services to improve our reporting and feedback.
• Supervise bookkeeping, accounting and audit, and project tracking, ensuring compliance and financial clarity across the organization.

• Work with and supervise the People and Culture Officer to design and implement equitable and values-driven HR practices, including hiring, onboarding, performance management and professional development.
• Ensure legal and ethical employment practices in collaboration with legal and HR advisors.

• Oversee office operations, vendor relationships and facilities management.
• Serve as team lead for high-stakes, time-bound initiatives (e.g. organizational changes, business initiatives, major tech transitions, strategic partnerships).

• Partner with the CEO to prepare board materials, surface strategic risks and opportunities, and align board governance with organizational goals.
• Represent Charlottesville Tomorrow in operational matters with funders, vendors and partners, including negotiating contracts.

We do not expect any one candidate to have all of these skills or experiences, but here are some things we are looking for:

• Proven operational leadership in a mission-driven environment — whether nonprofit, media, civic or startup — with a track record of turning vision into systems that work.
• Financial fluency and comfort with budgeting, forecasting, and scenario planning in small-to-mid-sized organizations.
• Strong people leadership and experience building equitable, inclusive practices across hiring, management and organizational culture.
• Systems thinking and execution skills — you see patterns, set priorities, and implement improvements that scale with integrity and clarity.
• Personal or professional experience in multiple cultural settings and/or non-English language skills.

Charlottesville…