Asian Law Caucus
Chief Operations Officer
Asian Law Caucus, Oakland, California, United States, 94616
The Opportunity
As we continue a phase of rapid growth, adding 15 new positions this year, the Asian Law Caucus (ALC) seeks a leader to drive and elevate our operations, finance, and human resources functions. This is an exciting opportunity to play a pivotal role in scaling and integrating ALC’s administrative efforts as we expand our impact. As COO, you’ll be a key partner to the Executive Director, Deputy Director, Board, and organizational leadership. Your strategic insights and recommendations will guide ALC’s decision-making at the highest levels, ensuring our infrastructure supports our ambitious goals. With three direct reports and five additional staff members, you’ll lead your team to optimize processes, build systems, and ensure the operational excellence needed to sustain our mission. We are looking for a leader with a deep understanding of the nonprofit sector who is inspired to support ALC’s critical work through innovative problem-solving and strategic systems-building.
The Organization Asian Law Caucus (ALC) is the nation’s first legal and civil rights organization serving low-income, immigrant, and marginalized Asian, Arab, Middle Eastern and Pacific Islander communities. Since 1972, ALC has fought to protect access to affordable housing in San Francisco’s Chinatown, litigated high-profile civil rights cases, advocated for the passage of landmark policy changes, and provided an array of services to low-income immigrants and communities of color. Today, with a staff of 60 we bring together legal services, community empowerment, and policy advocacy to fight for immigrant justice, economic security, and a stronger, multiracial democracy. Our work is rooted in the San Francisco Bay Area and California and expands to states across the country, including places where immigrant, Asian, Arab, Middle Eastern, and Pacific Islander communities are rapidly growing. Primary Responsibilities Strategic Planning, Senior Leadership, & Cross-Functional Collaboration: Sit on the Executive Team, participating in decision-making on key issues and ensuring that operational, financial, and human resources strategies support ALC’s mission and goals. Actively participate in Leadership Team meetings, retreats, and other discussions, and work with members to steer organizational priorities, including cultural change goals. With the Executive Director, act as liaison to the Board, including drafting agenda, attending meetings, and engaging members. Collaborate with the Deputy Director on the execution of organization-wide initiatives, ensuring seamless integration of operational, financial, and strategic priorities. Facilitate communication and collaboration across departments to ensure alignment of operational and programmatic goals. Drive a service-oriented mindset in administrative functions, with the goal of supporting efficient, effective mission-driven work and staff, while balancing compliance and administrability. Human Resources Leadership: Oversee the full employment cycle, including talent management, recruitment, employee relations, engagement and retention, and professional development; ensure ALC is a competitive and sought-after employer that attracts and retains top talent. With the HR team, foster a supportive, productive, inclusive organizational culture; ensure staff training and development; lead retention initiatives; and create clear, viable pathways for growth within ALC where possible. Lead the Labor Management Committee; maintain positive and collaborative working relationships with union representatives. Ensure compliance with labor laws and collective bargaining agreements, working closely with the HR Manager(s) to address employee relations issues; implement policies that support both staff and organizational needs; and handle disciplinary or complex HR issues. Implement policies that ensure equity and inclusion are embedded in all HR practices. With the HR team, ensure performance management systems are in place to support staff growth and organizational effectiveness; promote a culture of feedback and development, including training and support for managers. Financial Leadership: Successfully lead the transition of financial oversight from the Executive Director, building a robust, aligned finance function that supports ALC’s long-term goals. This includes overseeing budgeting, financial planning, cash flow management, and financial reporting, as well as all internal, staff-facing processes and protocols, with the strong support of the long-time Finance Director. Support the Executive Director with thoughtful, accessible reporting and strategic analysis on the financial operations of ALC; identify trends, areas of risk and opportunity, and other insights to inform decision-making; be a thought partner on the financial operations of ALC. Run the Board Finance Committee and report to the Committee and Board on financial matters; work closely with the Finance Director and Treasurer on governance, planning, investment, and risk mitigation. Lead ALC’s budgeting process, in collaboration with the Executive Director and Director of Finance, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and financial sustainability. With the Director of Finance, develop or refine, implement, and enforce policies and procedures to guide the smooth, compliant financial function of ALC. With the Director of Finance, ensure sound financial management, transparency, and compliance with GAAP and other applicable accounting standards. With the Director of Finance and the support of an outsourced accounting firm, oversee the monthly and annual accounting cycle, including producing financial statements, the audit process, and periodic and year-end reporting. Operations Leadership: Lead the operations team to ensure the smooth administrative function of ALC’s facilities and systems, including key vendor relationships, property management, reception at the community-facing site, procurement, IT, safety standards, and compliance. With the Operations Manager, identify operational efficiencies to support the growth of ALC, driving improvements in systems, processes, and technology; oversee Operations Manager’s implementation. Leverage technology and automation to streamline administrative tasks and improve data-driven decision-making. Work with other department directors to identify needs, develop strategies, set priorities, and drive major projects with the support of the Operations Manager, such as updating org-wide document management systems and staff training. With the Operations Manager, develop or refine, implement, and enforce policies and procedures to guide effective operations. Ensure risk management and organizational resilience planning. Supervision: Supervise Finance Director, Operations Manager, HR Manager(s), and any additional staff, including hiring, onboarding and training, workflow, professional development, and performance management. Lead a high-performing team oriented toward service, systems, and solutions. Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent; Master’s in Nonprofit Management, Business/Public Administration, Financial Management, Human Resources a plus. 10+ years of experience in operations, finance, or human resources, with 5+ years in a senior leadership role and 5+ years in a nonprofit environment, preferably in legal and social justice fields. Demonstrated experience successfully managing cross-functional teams. Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to drive organizational change. Ability to work collaboratively with senior leadership and staff at all levels of ALC. An orientation toward problem-solving, organizational systems, and strategy execution. Excellent financial management and budgeting skills; strong familiarity with nonprofit financial standards essential. Comfort and facility with technology solutions. Knowledge of union environments and experience managing labor relations. Strong strategic thinking, with the ability to manage complex projects and cross-departmental initiatives. Proven commitment to positive, inclusive, equitable workplace practices. Excellent communication, interpersonal, and negotiation skills.
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The Organization Asian Law Caucus (ALC) is the nation’s first legal and civil rights organization serving low-income, immigrant, and marginalized Asian, Arab, Middle Eastern and Pacific Islander communities. Since 1972, ALC has fought to protect access to affordable housing in San Francisco’s Chinatown, litigated high-profile civil rights cases, advocated for the passage of landmark policy changes, and provided an array of services to low-income immigrants and communities of color. Today, with a staff of 60 we bring together legal services, community empowerment, and policy advocacy to fight for immigrant justice, economic security, and a stronger, multiracial democracy. Our work is rooted in the San Francisco Bay Area and California and expands to states across the country, including places where immigrant, Asian, Arab, Middle Eastern, and Pacific Islander communities are rapidly growing. Primary Responsibilities Strategic Planning, Senior Leadership, & Cross-Functional Collaboration: Sit on the Executive Team, participating in decision-making on key issues and ensuring that operational, financial, and human resources strategies support ALC’s mission and goals. Actively participate in Leadership Team meetings, retreats, and other discussions, and work with members to steer organizational priorities, including cultural change goals. With the Executive Director, act as liaison to the Board, including drafting agenda, attending meetings, and engaging members. Collaborate with the Deputy Director on the execution of organization-wide initiatives, ensuring seamless integration of operational, financial, and strategic priorities. Facilitate communication and collaboration across departments to ensure alignment of operational and programmatic goals. Drive a service-oriented mindset in administrative functions, with the goal of supporting efficient, effective mission-driven work and staff, while balancing compliance and administrability. Human Resources Leadership: Oversee the full employment cycle, including talent management, recruitment, employee relations, engagement and retention, and professional development; ensure ALC is a competitive and sought-after employer that attracts and retains top talent. With the HR team, foster a supportive, productive, inclusive organizational culture; ensure staff training and development; lead retention initiatives; and create clear, viable pathways for growth within ALC where possible. Lead the Labor Management Committee; maintain positive and collaborative working relationships with union representatives. Ensure compliance with labor laws and collective bargaining agreements, working closely with the HR Manager(s) to address employee relations issues; implement policies that support both staff and organizational needs; and handle disciplinary or complex HR issues. Implement policies that ensure equity and inclusion are embedded in all HR practices. With the HR team, ensure performance management systems are in place to support staff growth and organizational effectiveness; promote a culture of feedback and development, including training and support for managers. Financial Leadership: Successfully lead the transition of financial oversight from the Executive Director, building a robust, aligned finance function that supports ALC’s long-term goals. This includes overseeing budgeting, financial planning, cash flow management, and financial reporting, as well as all internal, staff-facing processes and protocols, with the strong support of the long-time Finance Director. Support the Executive Director with thoughtful, accessible reporting and strategic analysis on the financial operations of ALC; identify trends, areas of risk and opportunity, and other insights to inform decision-making; be a thought partner on the financial operations of ALC. Run the Board Finance Committee and report to the Committee and Board on financial matters; work closely with the Finance Director and Treasurer on governance, planning, investment, and risk mitigation. Lead ALC’s budgeting process, in collaboration with the Executive Director and Director of Finance, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and financial sustainability. With the Director of Finance, develop or refine, implement, and enforce policies and procedures to guide the smooth, compliant financial function of ALC. With the Director of Finance, ensure sound financial management, transparency, and compliance with GAAP and other applicable accounting standards. With the Director of Finance and the support of an outsourced accounting firm, oversee the monthly and annual accounting cycle, including producing financial statements, the audit process, and periodic and year-end reporting. Operations Leadership: Lead the operations team to ensure the smooth administrative function of ALC’s facilities and systems, including key vendor relationships, property management, reception at the community-facing site, procurement, IT, safety standards, and compliance. With the Operations Manager, identify operational efficiencies to support the growth of ALC, driving improvements in systems, processes, and technology; oversee Operations Manager’s implementation. Leverage technology and automation to streamline administrative tasks and improve data-driven decision-making. Work with other department directors to identify needs, develop strategies, set priorities, and drive major projects with the support of the Operations Manager, such as updating org-wide document management systems and staff training. With the Operations Manager, develop or refine, implement, and enforce policies and procedures to guide effective operations. Ensure risk management and organizational resilience planning. Supervision: Supervise Finance Director, Operations Manager, HR Manager(s), and any additional staff, including hiring, onboarding and training, workflow, professional development, and performance management. Lead a high-performing team oriented toward service, systems, and solutions. Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent; Master’s in Nonprofit Management, Business/Public Administration, Financial Management, Human Resources a plus. 10+ years of experience in operations, finance, or human resources, with 5+ years in a senior leadership role and 5+ years in a nonprofit environment, preferably in legal and social justice fields. Demonstrated experience successfully managing cross-functional teams. Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to drive organizational change. Ability to work collaboratively with senior leadership and staff at all levels of ALC. An orientation toward problem-solving, organizational systems, and strategy execution. Excellent financial management and budgeting skills; strong familiarity with nonprofit financial standards essential. Comfort and facility with technology solutions. Knowledge of union environments and experience managing labor relations. Strong strategic thinking, with the ability to manage complex projects and cross-departmental initiatives. Proven commitment to positive, inclusive, equitable workplace practices. Excellent communication, interpersonal, and negotiation skills.
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