Chief Operating Officer

About the role

Gifted Savings, the non-profit start-up that is making it simple, efficient and rewarding to gift real investments and financial literacy to young people at scale, is seeking a strategic, execution-focused Chief Operating Officer (COO) to help grow and strengthen both our national high school program and our emerging direct-giving Friends & Family platform — a new initiative currently in development, designed to expand and simplify investment gifting beyond the classroom.

If you’re a builder and operator who wants your work to have real, lasting impact, this is a rare opportunity to help shape an organization working at the intersection of infectious generosity, financial empowerment, and long-term economic opportunity for young people.

In this role, you will lead the organization’s core business functions — including finance, legal, risk, compliance, operations, and HR — ensuring that Gifted Savings is built on a strong, durable foundation as we grow. You’ll work closely with the Executive Director to translate vision into systems, structure, and execution.

What you'll do

The Chief Operating Officer will own and integrate Gifted Savings’ core operating functions, ensuring the organization scales with clarity, discipline, and alignment across programs, product, and compliance.

This role reports directly to the Executive Director.

Organizational Leadership & Strategy

• Partner closely with the Executive Director to translate organizational vision into clear operating strategy, priorities, and execution
• Serve as a key member of the leadership team, helping guide decision-making across programs, partnerships, and growth
• Anticipate and proactively address operational, financial, and regulatory risks as the organization evolves

Finance & Financial Strategy

• Own the organization’s financial strategy, including budgeting, forecasting, and long-term planning
• Oversee financial operations and controls, ensuring accuracy, transparency, and accountability across all programs and funds
• Manage and support the Finance & Operations Manager (CPA), who leads day-to-day bookkeeping and supports audit execution
• Ensure strong financial governance and compliance with nonprofit financial requirements
• Evaluate and structure financial models related to new initiatives, including the Friends & Family platform

Legal, Risk & Compliance

• Lead all aspects of legal, regulatory, and compliance strategy across both nonprofit and financial services–adjacent activities
• Manage relationships with external legal counsel, auditors, and regulatory advisors
• Serve as the primary liaison between Product and external compliance partners — including the broker-dealer, RIA consultants, and CCO — translating regulatory requirements into clear product guardrails and ensuring alignment in execution across the organization
• Support the design and implementation of compliant financial infrastructure as Friends & Family moves from early development toward launch and scale

Operations & Infrastructure

• Build lightweight, effective systems, workflows, and cross-functional processes that support a high-performing, distributed team today and scale over time
• Oversee vendor management, contracts, and operational partnerships
• Establish and track key metrics to understand performance, identify risks, and inform decision-making

People & HR

• Oversee HR operations, including hiring, onboarding, performance management, and team development
• Maintain a strong, values-driven organizational culture
• Support managers in developing clear roles, goals, and accountability across the team

Qualifications

Who You Are

• You are a proven leader who works at start-up speed and has an insatiable drive to improve and scale operations.
• You bring 7+ years of experience in operations, finance, or general management, ideally as a senior leader in an innovative nonprofit, tech startup, fintech, or other fast-moving environment. 
• You are a strong financial leader with expertise in budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and decision-making
• You have experience navigating legal, compliance, or regulatory environments (fintech, financial services, nonprofit, or adjacent fields)
• You are a builder-operator who can translate big ideas into clear processes, structures, and execution
• You are excited by the challenge of building something new at the intersection of social impact, technology, and financial infrastructure
• You are both strategic and hands-on — equally comfortable setting direction, diving into details, and doing the work yourself
• You combine rigorous data-driven thinking with a test-and-learn mindset, using hypothesis testing, metrics, and dashboards to move faster, improve performance, and guide better decisions
• You lead by example in using AI tools and thoughtfully integrate emerging technologies to improve how teams work and make decisions
• You are an exceptional communicator who can align stakeholders across functions and levels, and translate complex financial, legal, or operational challenges into clear decisions and next steps
• You are deeply mission-driven and motivated by expanding economic opportunity for young people

Bonus (Not Required)

• You have experience in both nonprofit and fintech or financial services environments
• You’ve worked with custodial accounts (UTMA/UGMA), broker-dealer or RIA structures, or financial product design
• You have experience leading early-stage startups or scaling organizations
• You have experience working on consumer financial products, giving platforms, or payments systems

Why You Should Join Us

• Impact: Work on something that will radically advance financial inclusion — and philanthropy — in America and beyond.
• Amazing Culture: Join a high-performing team whose shared values are: Big Dreams and Bold Action, Results and Learning, Generosity and Teamwork, Honesty and Authenticity, and Freedom and Responsibility. 
• Small Team: Join as an early team member, shaping an idea that can change the world for good.
• Full Benefits: Get 100% coverage of health, dental, and vision benefits for you and your dependents.
• Bonus Program: Earn our innovative Bitcoin-denominated deferred bonus plan, allowing you to have the amazing upside of being in a startup while working on a truly meaningful mission.
• Unlimited PTO: We have a flexible time-off (sick and vacation) policy to make sure we’re always taking care of ourselves, so we can help others.
• Flexibility: Enjoy the freedom of a remote work environment, with occasional travel to connect with team members and participate in impactful program events.
• Retirement Plan: Plan for your future with access to a 403(b) plan that’s simple to manage.
• Growth: Thrive within a growing organization that prioritizes innovation, offering you the chance to shape your career while advancing financial education.

Other Important Information

This is a full-time, remote leadership role based in the United States, with occasional travel for team meetings and program-related events.

Compensation for this role is expected to be in the range of $170,000–$210,000, with final salary determined based on experience, skills, and organizational needs. Gifted Savings reserves the right to modify this range at any time.

We are not considering candidates currently based outside of the United States, and we are unable to provide visa sponsorship at this time.

To Apply

Please submit:

• Your resume
• A brief cover letter (1 page max) explaining why you’re the right person for this role and why you’re excited about Gifted SavingsDescribe the experience and attributes of the ideal candidate.