Economic Hardship Reporting Project – an award-winning journalism organization – is seeking a full-time Chief Operating Officer.

ABOUT ECONOMIC HARDSHIP REPORTING PROJECT
A nonprofit, 501c3 organization with a $1.4M budget, Economic Hardship Reporting Project (EHRP) supports independent journalists so they can create gripping stories, often countering the typical narratives. We then inject this high-quality journalism into the mainstream media, mobilizing readers to change systems perpetuating economic hardship. EHRP does this by funding and co-publishing reportage at the most renowned and popular media outlets, from The New York Times and The Guardian to Showtime.

EHRP is a journalist-centered organization. We respond to the news in days, not weeks or months, and we support our photographers and writers —not just editorially and financially, but also by paying for a computer repair or sending a gift card to an unbanked journalist for payment. In 2021, about 38 percent of our contributors were people of color, and about 67 percent were women. We value diversity and continue to work toward increasing diversity across the organization.

EHRP-supported work has won an Emmy and many other awards, including a SPJ and a Signal. Based in part on their work with EHRP, two of our contributors have been awarded Guggenheim Fellowships and one has received a Getty grant. 

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER POSITION
Reporting to the Executive Director and serving as an integral member of the senior management team, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) will be responsible for the development and management of EHRP’s financial and operational strategy and will contribute to the development of the organization’s strategic goals.

In addition to the strategic components, the COO will be charged with developing and implementing policies and procedures in the realms of both finance and general operations. This is an outstanding opportunity for an operations professional with finance experience and a proven track record of creative problem-solving and change management to join in a mission-driven organization with strong institutional support.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and implement operational policies and procedures to ensure the efficient and effective functioning of the organization as a whole
• Support staff in their development of partnerships with philanthropies, other nonprofits and other publications and handle the financial aspects of said partnerships
• Oversee and manage the organization’s finance, human resources, and administrative functions, including budgeting, financial reporting, audit, payroll, recruitment, and performance management.  Many services are currently outsourced.  As a strategic partner to the ED, build internal capabilities where appropriate over time.
• Work closely with the Executive Director and senior leadership team on the financing and logistics of strategic plans and initiatives 
• Ensure compliance with all legal, regulatory, and ethical standards and requirements
• Partner with the Executive Director to make sure the Board is informed and engaged in strong governance practices and facilitating critical board governance tasks such as fiscal oversight and program reviews

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree. Plus for any specialty in business administration, nonprofit management, or related field  
• 5+ years of management experience, including operations, finance, human resources, and administration
• Has experience managing operations with complex funding streams, HR functions and other compliance needs
• Has led or engaged in financial activities such as accounting, budget building and fiscal management; experience with nonprofits is a plus

SALARY AND BENEFITS

The salary range for this role is $75,000-$110,000 based on qualifications and experience.

EHRP offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that includes paid holidays, health insurance (three plan options for full-time staff to choose from), dental and vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance (short- and long-term), Flexible Spending Account, and a 401(k) retirement plan with company matching contribution. Professional development opportunities are also available, including travel to conferences that are aligned with the role.

TO APPLY: EHRP will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis. Applications received by August 15, 2023, will be given preference in the hiring process. To apply, please submit a cover letter describing your interest and qualifications, your resume, and three references (these will only be contacted during final interviews) to: coo – at – economichardship -dot -org. COO@economichardship.org

No phone calls, please.

EHRP’S HISTORY

EHRP emerged in 2012 in a bleak climate. The number of billionaires doubled between 2009 and 2014, but few others else saw much of a windfall. Despite economic growth, inequality continues to rise and poverty to soar. It’s unquestionably one of the biggest domestic stories of our lifetime: intractable, long-term unemployment and yawning income gaps between the wealthy, the middle class and the working poor.

Inspired by the Farm Security Administration and the Works Progress Administration initiatives of the Great Depression, we seek to give voice and work to writers and photographers from underrepresented quarters. Our aim is to humanize inequality: Our writers and photographers, some of whom may be on the brink of poverty themselves, tell intimate, heartbreaking and sometimes shocking stories originating from their own communities.