Chief Operating Officer

Native American Rights Fund; Boulder (CO); On-site; USD 268,000 - 307,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401K plan

Paid time off

Parental leave

Disability insurance

Life insurance

Short-term disability

Long-term disability

Job summary

Native American Rights Fund (NARF) in Boulder, CO, seeks a Chief Operating Officer to lead core operational functions and partner with the Executive Director to advance its mission. This inaugural role will shape infrastructure, capacity, and culture to sustain rapid growth and impact.

The COO will oversee Finance & Accounting, Development, IT, Facilities, HR, and Communications, driving cross‑functional alignment and operational excellence for years to come.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Advanced degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee Finance & Accounting, Development, Information Technology, Facilities, Human Resources, and Communications.
• Provide strategic and operational leadership to advance NARF's mission and build organizational capacity.
• Partner with Executive Director and senior leaders to ensure cross‑functional alignment and operational excellence.

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree in business, finance, law, or related field

Job description

Chief Operating Officer (COO)

ZRG Aspen Leadership Group is proud to partner with the Native American Rights Fund in its search for a Chief Operating Officer. This is an extraordinary opportunity for an expert and experienced operations executive to help steward an organization at the forefront of advancing and protecting Native rights and to shape its next chapter.

The COO will be a key member of NARF's leadership, partnering closely with the Executive Director and other senior leaders to strengthen and advance the organization's operations in support of its mission, respond to its tremendous growth, and prepare it for the future. The COO will oversee Finance & Accounting, Development, Information Technology, Facilities, Human Resources, and Communications, and will play a central role in driving cross‑organizational alignment and effectiveness. The COO will provide strategic and operational leadership, building the infrastructure, organizational capacity, and culture of operational excellence necessary to advance NARF's mission for years to come.

This inaugural COO role reflects a significant moment in NARF's evolution. Following a period of substantial growth, including a doubling of its operating budget and a nearly 60 percent increase in staff over the past five years, NARF is poised to further invest in and elevate its operations.

The Native American Rights Fund (NARF) is a 55‑year‑old 501(c)(3) legal organization headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, with offices in Washington, D.C., and Anchorage, Alaska. NARF fights to protect Native American rights, resources, and lifeways through litigation, legal advocacy, and legal expertise.

Since 1970, NARF has provided legal assistance to Native American Tribal Nations, organizations, and individuals nationwide. NARF has successfully asserted and defended the most important rights of Native Americans and Tribal Nations in hundreds of major cases, achieving significant results in critical areas such as tribal sovereignty, treaty rights, natural resource protection, voting rights, and Indian education.

NARF has over 70 staff members and is governed by a volunteer board of directors composed of thirteen Native Americans from different Tribal Nations throughout the country with a variety of expertise in Indian matters. Highly effective in the pursuit of its mission, throughout its history NARF has impacted tens of thousands of Native people through its work for more than 300 Tribal Nations.

A bachelor's degree is required for this role. An advanced degree in business, finance, law, or a related field is preferred. Experience working with Native American communities, Tribal governments, and native advocacy organizations is preferred. Experience working with mission‑driven organizations, public‑interest law firms, or impact litigation non‑profit organizations is also desirable.

The salary range for this position is $268,000 to $307,000, based on the Denver Metro market and the 10–15+ years of experience required for this role. Actual salary within the range will depend on years of experience and qualifications of the successful candidate. NARF offers a comprehensive and generous package of benefits, including vacation leave, health, dental and vision insurance, and paid time off including sick leave, parental leave, and medical/disability leave. Additionally, there is an employer contribution to the employee 401K plan (eligible after one year of service), employer paid group life insurance, accident insurance, and short‑term and long‑term disability insurance.