Chief Operating Officer
Steamboat Institute is currently hiring to fill this position:
Title: Chief Operating Officer
Work office: Virtual
About Steamboat Institute
Steamboat Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-partisan educational organization founded in Colorado in 2008. Steamboat Institute (SI) promotes America’s first principles and inspires active involvement in the defense of liberty. SI’s core principles are limited government, limited taxation and fiscal responsibility, free-market capitalism, individual rights and responsibilities, and strong national defense.
“The Steamboat Way” is the Western spirit – that rugged individualism that champions the idea that America is a great nation because of our people, not because of our government. We value our sovereignty as a nation. We value a free market and a robust economy. We value individual liberty, free speech and the rule of law.
About the Chief Operating Officer Role
Steamboat Institute is creating the new position of Chief Operating Officer to support the significant growth of its programs and to ensure it can continue advancing America’s founding principles with excellence. As SI’s initiatives expand in scale and impact, the COO will strengthen its internal operations, enhance strategic execution, and allow its leadership team to focus more deeply on mission-driven vision and donor development. This role will help SI sustain its momentum, maintain high program quality, and position the organization for long-term success.
The Chief Operating Officer reports to the CEO. The COO’s direct reports include the Director of Campus Liberty Tour, Director of Emerging Leaders Council, Director of Journalism Fellowship, Digital Director, and the Media/Comms Team.
This is a virtual position that can be performed from Colorado (preferred) or elsewhere in the United States. The successful candidate will be able to work productively from his/her home office. This position requires minimal travel.
Core Responsibilities
- Supervise 5 critical team members (see “direct reports” above).
- Lead finance operations: budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, grants accounting and compliance; oversee vendors including outside bookkeeper and accounting firm.
- Operational leadership for programs, media/communications, HR, contracts, and insurance.
- Build and maintain financial policies (reserves, procurement, internal controls) and present regular reports to the CEO and Board.
- Lead hiring and performance processes.
Requirements
- 5+ years of operations/finance leadership (nonprofit experience strongly preferred).
- Strong track record in personnel management
- Demonstrated experience managing budgets of $2M+, preparing financial statements, managing cash flow, and implementing internal controls.
- Strong GAAP/grants accounting familiarity.
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with CEO and Board.
- Bachelor’s degree (Finance/Accounting/Business preferred); CPA or nonprofit finance certification preferred but not required.
- Ability to travel; estimated travel 15-20% (potentially more if residing outside of Colorado)
Compensation and Benefits
The target compensation for this role falls between $110,000 and $125,000, contingent on the selected candidate’s experience and qualifications. Benefits include a 401(k) matching contribution, Health Reimbursement Account, and generous PTO/holiday policy.
To Apply
Qualified candidates should submit the following application materials (in order) in one PDF document:
- Cover letter detailing your interest in the COO role and the mission of Steamboat Institute, along with your salary requirements
- Resume
Applications should be submitted to Talent Market via this link:
Questions can be directed to Claire Kittle Dixon, President of Talent Market, who is assisting with the search: claire@talentmarket.org.
There is no application deadline for this position. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. This job will remain posted on our site until it is filled.
While we thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position, we are only able to contact those to whom we can offer an interview. Only direct applications will be considered. No phone calls, please.
Talent Market is a nonprofit entity dedicated to promoting liberty by helping free-market nonprofits identify talent for critical roles. We provide consulting and recruiting services at no cost to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations that clearly and directly focus on advancing the principles of economic freedom, free enterprise, free trade, free speech, property rights, rule of law, and limited regulation.