Chief Operating Officer

VisArts

Status: Full-time, exempt employee 

Salary: $125,000

Location: Rockville, MD

Deadline: Best considered by mid-October. Resume reviews begin immediately.

About VisArts 

VisArts is a nonprofit arts hub and incubator located in Rockville, Maryland. Founded in 1987 by a group of artists as a grassroots organization, VisArts is dedicated to transforming individuals and communities through the visual arts. One of the region's only organizations focused exclusively on the visual arts and the largest employer of visual artists in Montgomery County, VisArts offers a wide range of programs for all ages and abilities.

VisArts’ mission is to foster creativity, accessibility, and community through visual arts education. At its core, VisArts is a home for meaningful connection through creative expression, built around inclusive visual arts creation, instruction, and presentation. The VisArts team is a group of doers who are genuine, inclusive, and visionary, and these values shape how they teach, run the organization, and treat each other.

Through art classes, camps, five contemporary art galleries, artist residencies and fellowships, the VisAbility Art Lab (a specialized studio program for artists with disabilities), and community outreach initiatives, VisArts provides children, teens, and adults with opportunities to express themselves, develop their skills, connect with others, and enrich their lives. VisArts also rents several spaces for private and community events. Located in the heart of Rockville Town Square, VisArts serves more than 30,000 students, artists, and visitors each year. For more information, visit visartscenter.org. 

Position Overview

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a new senior leadership role that will serve as the operational backbone of VisArts, partnering with the CEO to strengthen the organization's internal infrastructure so that VisArts can operate smoothly, sustainably, and at scale. The COO will oversee finance, human resources, facilities, technology, and compliance. Operating on a $3.5 million annual operating budget, VisArts relies on the COO to build efficient systems, safeguard its financial health and legal compliance, and supervise operational staff. The COO will be someone with strong financial acumen who can guide and teach colleagues with varying levels of financial and operational experience.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader who brings rigor and structure to a creative, mission-driven environment. They will remain flexible and responsive to the unique rhythms of a working arts organization, including classes, camps, exhibitions, artist residencies, and public and private events. The COO will build and manage systems, policies, and teams that support VisArts' staff to focus on its mission. Specific areas of responsibility include:

Organizational and Team Leadership (10%)

• Serve as a key thought partner to the CEO on organizational strategy, annual planning, and long-term sustainability.
• Serve as a member of the Leadership Team, partnering with division heads on performance management practices, operational planning, and decision-making.
• Supervise and develop the Business Manager, Facilities Manager, and IT Consultant with clear accountability and professional development support.
• Conduct legal and contract reviews and prepare contracts for CEO execution.
• Advance diversity, inclusion, and accessibility across operational policies, hiring practices, and facility access.
• Model and reinforce a culture of transparency, accountability, and care across the organization.

Financial Management and Compliance (30%)

• Lead accounting, financial reporting, payroll, benefits administration, and tax compliance.
• Prepare the annual budget in consultation with the CEO and division heads, for CEO and Board approval.
• Partner with division heads to develop, monitor, and understand their budgets, providing regular, transparent reporting and helping leaders build the financial literacy necessary to make informed decisions throughout the year.
• Monitor spending, forecast cash flow, and manage organizational financial health.
• Manage financial systems, accounting software, and the annual audit.
• Own financial and regulatory compliance for all grants, including proposal budgeting, expenditure tracking, and financial reporting to funders, working from the reporting calendar maintained by Advancement.
• Maintain relationships with auditors, insurers, and financial institutions, and ensure appropriate insurance coverage and risk management.

Operations and Facilities (25%)

• Ensure safe, well-maintained, and efficient facilities, including offices, galleries, studios, classrooms, storage spaces, and event spaces.
• Oversee capital planning, maintenance schedules, vendor relationships, and building systems, including HVAC, security, and technology infrastructure.
• Work with the Development Department to pursue capital funding opportunities, conveying needs, securing bids, and supporting proposals as needed.
• Develop and implement operational policies and procedures that ensure consistency, efficiency, and compliance across the organization.
• Negotiate vendor contracts and monitor service delivery.

Human Resources and Administration (20%)

• Oversee HR functions, including hiring, onboarding, payroll, benefits administration, performance management, and personnel policies.
• Ensure compliance with employment law, maintain personnel records, and own the employee handbook and related policies.
• Serve as the point of escalation for accommodation requests, harassment and whistleblower reports, and other sensitive personnel matters.
• Develop and manage the organizational professional development budget and framework, which division heads apply within their teams.
• Oversee staff and payroll database systems, file management, and administrative workflows.

Technology and Information Security (15%)

• Oversee the IT Consultant to ensure reliable infrastructure, cybersecurity, data management, and system updates.
• Manage technology strategy, network security, data backup and recovery, and disaster planning.
• Supervise implementation and effective use of software systems and databases across the organization.
• Ensure data privacy and security protocols, with particular care for donors, students, and artists in the VisAbility Art Lab, VisArts’ studio for artists with disabilities.
• Manage the technology budget.

Experience, Skills, and Qualities

The COO position will be a challenging and rewarding opportunity that requires a diverse set of skills and experiences. While we understand that no single candidate can possess every qualification listed below, the following are priority areas:

• 7+ years of operations, financial management, or nonprofit administration experience, including P&L responsibility and team leadership.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing nonprofit finance and accounting, including budgeting, financial analysis, GAAP, audits, and grant/contract compliance.
• Experience with nonprofit accounting systems and proficiency with accounting software such as QuickBooks Online.
• Experience managing human resources functions, including employment law compliance, benefits, and staff development.
• Working knowledge of IT systems and infrastructure sufficient to guide vendor selection, budgeting, and data security decisions.
• Experience with facilities management, vendor negotiation, and contract administration, ideally for a public-facing or multi-use space.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple teams, vendors, and complex projects with attention to detail.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain financial and operational information to non-financial colleagues.
• Problem-solver with an entrepreneurial mindset.
• Committed to diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in all aspects of organizational work.

Compensation & Benefits

The budgeted salary for this role is $125,000, with benefits that include health insurance, paid time off, retirement contributions, parking reimbursement, and class and camp discounts.

Application Process

VisArts has retained the services of Good Insight, a national executive search firm serving nonprofits, to help conduct this search. Interested applicants should submit a resume and a detailed cover letter that describes their interest in and qualifications for this role. Upload application materials at www.good-insight.org/careers. 

Resume reviews begin immediately. For best consideration, please apply by mid-October. Early applications are encouraged due to the pace of the search.

Location 

VisArts is located in Rockville, MD, in Metro-accessible Rockville Town Center. The work environment is in-person at the office and at venues throughout the region. Some events and programs require evening and weekend hours. 

Equal Employment Opportunity

VisArts is an equal-opportunity employer, and we evaluate applicants regardless of their race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability status, veteran status, or family status.