Chief Operating Officer

About Spark Climate Solutions We are a science-driven, philanthropically funded non-profit that accelerates progress on unsolved climate challenges. Our goal is to enable a safer climate by filling targeted gaps in current climate actions. We look around the corner at the key blind spots that pose big climate risks or offer big climate opportunities—like major sources of unabated emissions. Then we work to speed up the development of the fields needed to address those challenges.  Rather than betting on individual pathways or innovations, we work to grow a field as a whole so that the most effective science and solutions can be surfaced and scaled. We use a large suite of field-building tools to support new research, markets, policies, and talent development, through both in-house initiatives and building broader coalitions. We are currently focused on super pollutants from agriculture, warming-induced greenhouse gas emissions, and methane removal.  About the Role As the senior operational leader, the COO will translate Spark’s organizational strategy into effective structures, processes, and systems that enable Spark to successfully deliver its work, and impact, today and in the future. As a member of the Leadership Team, this role will participate in the leadership of the organization, setting organizational priorities, planning, and decision-making. This newly created role will set and own the strategic vision for Spark's Operations, HR, Finance and support the management of Communications and Program Management. They will report to and work closely with the Executive Director. Who We’re Looking For We are seeking a builder — someone energized by designing and evolving systems in a growing organization. Specifically, you are: Flexible and solutions-oriented: You approach ambiguity with curiosity and pragmatism, asking “How might we?” and identifying what already exists and can be improved upon. Outcome- and user-driven: You view processes as tools to enable results, not ends in themselves. You design systems that minimize administrative burden on program teams while meeting organizational needs. High ownership and bandwidth: You take full responsibility for outcomes, proactively drive work forward, and have the capacity and judgment to manage multiple competing priorities effectively. Structured and organized: You naturally create clear prioritization frameworks, structures, and workflows that drive clarity and accountability. Key Responsibilities

Organizational Leadership

As a member of the Leadership Team, participate in the leadership of the organization, setting organizational priorities, planning, and decision-making.

Lead the operational side of the organizational planning processes, including budget forecasting, workforce planning, and determining other major operational initiatives.

Represent Operations at leadership and cross-functional planning meetings, ensuring operational perspectives inform organizational decisions.

Manage, mentor, and develop direct reports.

Strategy and Execution

Translate the organization’s vision and strategy into executable operating plans.

Design and oversee the organization’s operating model (structure, decision rights, workflows) that drives clarity, follow-through, and accountability.

Set and monitor progress on annual goals, OKRs, or strategic priorities, ensuring pivots, delays, or opportunities to accelerate are identified and addressed.

Oversee the development of the connective tissue between program teams and functions, integrating information needs from the organization and functions into a streamlined, unified process.

Oversee core functions to help the organization grow and prosper. Including overseeing Communications and Program Management staff and effective delivery of those functions.

Ensure internal alignment of priorities in collaboration with key staff across development, programs, policy, and other domains.

Develop operational governance structures to create accountability, transparency, and proactively identify and mitigate organizational risks through compliance monitoring and internal controls.

Finance

Leverage deep knowledge of finance, cash flow management, and scenario planning to inform strategic decisions that support long-term financial sustainability, and build a strong finance function at Spark.

Partner with the Leadership Team to develop annual budgets and future forecasts.

Own and strengthen the finance function, including forecasting, monitoring financial performance against projections and cash flow, preparing financial reports for leadership and the board, and overseeing incoming and subaward grants from application to closeout.

Ensure compliance with annual audits, taxes, and other reporting requirements by owning the necessary processes and documentation for nonprofit financial accountability.

Evaluate and manage third-party bookkeeping and CPA functions and relationships.

People and Culture

Lead the People & Culture strategy, including talent planning, recruiting and hiring, onboarding, compensation, benefits, performance management, compliance, and employee experience.

Steward the performance review cycle and professional development processes, providing leadership and managers coaching, and calibration support to ensure consistent application and clarity across the organization.

Systematically cultivate an environment that promotes connection, equity, and belonging in remote work, while guiding leadership in fostering a culture where team members feel supported and equipped to succeed.

Administration and Systems

Lead the scaling and documentation of Spark’s operational infrastructure and processes, ensuring systems are right-sized for the organization and standard operating procedures are created with efficiency and cohesion in mind.

Ensure the full day-to-day operations of the organization are being managed effectively and mechanisms for team feedback are in place.

Work with the Director of Program Management and Strategic Initiatives to support cross-functional or org-wide projects, as needed. 

Provide recommendations on and manage the ongoing structure and staffing of the operations team in support of organizational needs.

Qualifications

12+ years of experience in nonprofit operations or administration, including at least 5 years in a leadership or people management role.

Experience overseeing multiple functions (e.g., operations, finance, HR, program management, communications) and integrating them, as appropriate, into cohesive processes for the organization.

Demonstrated experience designing and managing the “rhythm of business”— the strategic planning cycles and quarterly reviews— and integrating organizational information needs from multiple functions into a streamlined, unified process for multiple parallel programs.

Deep experience in finance and HR, with a track record of translating data and insights into strategic decisions and implemented plans.

Proven ability to build and scale fit-for-purpose operational, financial, and HR systems in growing organizations.

Track record of successfully building proactive and sustainable organizational cultures.

Strategic thinker with exceptional execution skills, able to set a vision and ensure the delivery of high-caliber work by a diverse team.

Exceptional communication skills with the ability to navigate across all organizational levels, with demonstrated ability to influence upwards.

 Strong understanding of nonprofit financial management, including outgoing grant management and funder reporting.

Demonstrated experience managing core HR processes (recruitment, hiring, onboarding, benefits, compliance).

Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects, balancing structure with flexibility.

Empathetic teammate with a consistent track record of working collaboratively, effectively, and efficiently in ways that prioritize and center empathy and equity.

Reports to: Executive Director

Direct reports: Director of Program Management, Strategic Communications Lead, Operations Associate, Operations Coordinator

Dotted-line reports: Chief of Strategic Partnerships (for process development and integration into the operating model)