Chief Operating Officer

About Open New York

Open New York (ONY) is a grassroots, non-profit organization advocating for abundant homes and lower rent. With a rapidly growing staff and over a thousand active volunteer members across the State of New York, ONY seeks to implement local and statewide policy changes that expand housing options for all New Yorkers. From Rochester to the Rockaways, ONY is organizing to pass innovative and necessary legislation to finally dig New York out of its decades-long housing shortage.

Open New York is seeking a Chief Operating Officer to serve as a strategic partner to the Executive Director and oversee the organization’s operations, financial strategy, and internal infrastructure. This role will act as the organization’s second-in-command, translating strategic priorities into coordinated execution across departments and ensuring strong alignment, accountability, and sustainability.

The Chief Operating Officer oversees financial planning and compliance across ONY’s 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and independent expenditure entities, strengthens fundraising and development infrastructure, and builds durable systems that support scale and long-term impact. They will also support Board engagement, serve as a key liaison to the Finance Committee, and help ensure strong governance practices.

The ideal candidate is a strategic and operational leader who can connect big-picture planning with effective day-to-day management, fostering clarity, collaboration, and organizational excellence in a fast-paced advocacy environment.

Strategic Leadership & Organizational Alignment

• Partner with the Executive Director to set and refine organization-wide strategy, annual priorities, and multi-year goals.
• Oversee day-to-day organizational operations to ensure organizational priorities are aligned, coordinated, and executed effectively.

Financial Strategy & Organizational Sustainability

• Partner with the Executive Director to develop and manage annual and multi-year budgets across ONY’s 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and independent expenditure entities.
• Develop and maintain multi-year financial projections aligned with organizational growth and strategic ambitions.
• Oversee financial operations including systems, reporting, and forecasting in partnership with external finance consultants.
• Ensure strong internal budget management across departments, including regular reporting and variance tracking.
• Serve as the primary internal lead on financial strategy, translating complex financial information into clear insights for decision-making.
• Oversee audit processes, financial compliance, and risk management.

Fundraising & Development Infrastructure

• Collaborate with the Executive Director to develop multi-year fundraising strategies aligned with strategic and budgetary goals.
• Oversee fundraising strategy by aligning financial planning with development goals and long-term sustainability.
• Oversee development activities including systems, grant budgeting, donor tracking, and reporting.
• Ensure strong grant compliance, reporting, and coordination between program and development teams.
• Strengthen development infrastructure to support organizational growth.

Board Governance & Executive Support

• Serve as a strategic partner to the Executive Director in preparing for and facilitating Board engagement.
• Support Executive Director in Board operations, including agenda development, materials preparation, reporting dashboards, and strategic updates.
• Serve as primary staff liaison to the Board Finance Committee.
• Maintain strong governance systems, including board onboarding, committee coordination, and compliance documentation.

People, Culture & Organizational Effectiveness

• Oversee hiring strategy, workforce planning, and onboarding systems.
• Lead the design and implementation of performance management systems, including annual reviews, feedback processes, and professional development planning.
• Ensure internal policies, benefits administration, and workplace practices are consistent, equitable, and values-aligned.
• Oversee efforts to support directors in building strong, accountable, and inclusive team cultures.
• Oversee planning of staff…