Longview Philanthropy is inviting applications for a senior Chief Operating Officer (COO) or Director of Operations position to help the organisation rapidly scale its team, systems, and operations.
The opportunity is designed for an experienced operations leader who has successfully managed organisational growth and can build effective teams, processes, and functions in a fast-paced environment. Longview says candidates do not necessarily need previous experience in AI safety or philanthropy and expects strong applicants may come from rapidly scaling startups and technology companies.
About Longview Philanthropy
Longview Philanthropy advises major donors and makes grants in areas including AI safety and nuclear weapons policy. Its mission is to help the world navigate extreme risk and unlock an excellent future.
The organisation states that it directed more than $75 million to high-impact organisations in 2025 and expects its activities to grow substantially in 2026. Longview currently has offices in Berkeley, New York City, Washington DC, and London.
As Longview plans significant growth in 2027 and beyond, it is seeking a senior operations leader who can help the organisation scale while maintaining its effectiveness, agility, and high standards.
About the COO / Director of Operations Role
The successful candidate will be appointed as either:
- Chief Operating Officer (COO), or
- Director of Operations
The final title and scope will depend on the candidate’s experience. The role reports to Longview’s current COO, Katie Hearsum, as she transitions into another senior position, or to CEO Simran Dhaliwal.
The organisation is looking for someone who can operate at a senior leadership level, manage multiple operational functions, and build systems capable of supporting rapid organisational growth.
Key Responsibilities
Help Longview Double in Size
One of the central responsibilities is helping Longview significantly expand its workforce and organisational capacity.
The successful candidate will:
- Design and execute an operations and hiring strategy to support the organisation’s growth.
- Work with the Office of the CEO and leadership team to determine which functions need to be developed and when.
- Own the operations organisational structure and hiring decisions.
- Scope roles and help close strong candidates.
- Maintain a high standard for excellence and organisational fit.
- Build strong relationships between operations and other departments.
- Ensure that regulatory requirements are appropriately managed across the US and UK entities.
Develop Operations Leaders
The COO or Director of Operations will manage and develop leaders responsible for several critical functions.
These currently include:
- People Operations
- Business Operations
- Finance
- Talent
- Grants Management
The successful candidate will coach these leaders and help them navigate the challenges associated with a rapidly scaling organisation.
The role will also involve setting the standard for how operations functions across Longview, including promoting clear ownership, direct feedback, high-quality decision-making, and a mission-focused approach.
Build New Operational Functions
Longview is looking for a leader capable of expanding the scope of traditional operations functions.
For example, the successful candidate may be responsible for developing a finance function that handles both internal financial activities and investment of capital held by the organisation.
The role may also involve creating a recruiting function that not only supports Longview’s own hiring needs but also helps identify founders for new organisations that Longview’s grantmakers want to support.
Build Systems and Processes for Growth
Another major responsibility will be developing systems that allow Longview to grow without unnecessarily creating bureaucracy.
The successful candidate will:
- Build simple and robust systems for planning and decision-making.
- Determine when additional structure is useful and when it may become counterproductive.
- Streamline routine operational activities.
- Standardise processes where appropriate.
- Automate operational work, including through AI.
- Provide operational support that allows grantmakers and advisors to focus on specialised work.
Longview also states that it is open to tailoring the role for exceptional candidates and may consider a different scope or title where appropriate.
Ideal Candidate
Longview is looking for an experienced operations leader who has successfully guided organisations through rapid growth.
The ideal candidate is expected to be:
- An experienced manager of managers.
- Comfortable working across multiple operational functions.
- Experienced in fast-paced environments.
- Highly capable of prioritising competing demands.
- Confident working through organisational ambiguity.
- Interested in coaching and developing people.
Essential Experience
Candidates should ideally have experience in the following areas:
Experience Scaling Organisations
Applicants should have scaled operations at a fast-growing organisation, preferably at the 30-to-60-person stage or beyond, and understand the challenges and failure modes that can occur during organisational growth.
Managing Geographically Distributed Teams
Candidates should be comfortable managing teams and working effectively across different locations.
Managing Managers
Experience managing managers during periods of significant organisational growth is an important requirement.
Multiple Operational Functions
Candidates should have been responsible for at least three operational functions.
Longview’s current operational functions include People Operations, Business Operations, Finance, Talent, and Grants Management.
Critical Abilities
The successful candidate should demonstrate strong judgement and operational leadership.
Longview particularly values candidates who:
- Know when processes create value and when they create unnecessary bureaucracy.
- Can move quickly and prioritise effectively under pressure.
- Are comfortable managing multiple competing priorities and changing deadlines.
- Enjoy coaching and developing people.
- Can tackle new problems without relying on an established playbook.
- Are comfortable operating in ambiguous environments.
Communication and Collaboration Skills
Strong communication will be important in the role.
Candidates should be:
- Exceptionally clear written and verbal communicators.
- Comfortable adapting to Longview’s working style.
- Able to prepare effective agendas and support memo-based decision-making.
- Confident pushing back on colleagues when necessary, regardless of seniority.
- Comfortable giving and receiving direct feedback.
- Proactive in providing candid feedback.
Motivation and Organisational Fit
Longview wants candidates who are genuinely motivated by its mission.
Previous knowledge of AI safety or philanthropy is not required, but candidates should care about the problems Longview works on and understand how the organisation’s mission influences its decision-making.
The organisation is also looking for people who are:
- Kind and conscientious.
- Energised by fast-paced, lean working environments.
- Comfortable taking ownership.
- Committed to professional excellence.
Additional Experience That Would Be an Advantage
The following experience is considered useful but is not required:
- Hands-on experience with grants management.
- Non-profit compliance experience.
- Experience working in regulated-industry operations.
- Previous exposure to AI safety.
- Previous experience in philanthropy.
Longview explicitly encourages strong candidates to apply even if they do not meet every qualification listed in the vacancy.
Salary and Compensation
The advertised total compensation depends on the position offered:
Director of Operations: $165,000–$264,000+
Chief Operating Officer: $220,000–$330,000+
These figures include base salary and a 10% unconditional pension/401(k) contribution.
Benefits
Longview provides a range of benefits, with specific benefits depending on the employee’s location.
Benefits for US Staff
US employees may receive:
- 100% employer-paid private health insurance through UHC.
- Dental and vision coverage.
- 25 vacation days, plus public holidays and additional winter-break days.
- Four months of fully paid family leave.
- $3,000 annual professional development budget.
- Well-being support of up to $200 per month for gym memberships and fitness classes.
- In-office meals and a stocked office fridge at most US offices.
Benefits for UK Staff
UK employees may receive:
- Private health insurance through Aviva.
- 25 days of holiday plus bank holidays and additional winter-break days.
- Four months of fully paid family leave.
- £5,000 annual well-being budget.
- £2,400 annual professional development budget.
- Equipment and support for establishing a productive work environment.
- In-office meals and a stocked office fridge.
Benefits are subject to eligibility requirements and applicable waiting periods.
Location
Longview prefers candidates who can work in person at one of its offices in:
- Berkeley, United States
- Washington DC, United States
- New York, United States
- London, United Kingdom
The organisation states that it is able to sponsor visas in the United States and United Kingdom.
Start Date
The successful candidate is expected to start as soon as possible, with the exact start date to be agreed between Longview and the successful applicant.
Application Process
Longview plans to use a thorough but relatively fast recruitment process.
The process is expected to include:
- An application form.
- A paid strategy work task.
- Interviews with leadership and direct reports.
- Reference checks.
- A paid two-day in-person work trial.
Longview states that the process may be tailored for individual candidates.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should complete the official Longview Philanthropy application form.
Apply here: Longview Philanthropy COO / Director of Operations Application
Candidates should ensure their application clearly demonstrates relevant experience in organisational scaling, operations leadership, management, hiring, systems development, and cross-functional collaboration.
Application Deadline
The application deadline is:
Sunday, 6 September 2026 — End of Day
Applications are being reviewed on a rolling basis, so interested candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible.
Important Information for Applicants
This is a senior-level operations leadership position, rather than an entry-level or graduate opportunity.
Candidates should therefore carefully assess their experience against Longview’s expectations, particularly experience managing managers, overseeing multiple operational functions, and scaling organisations.
However, Longview states that most strong candidates will not have every qualification listed and encourages candidates who are uncertain about meeting every requirement to apply.
About Longview’s Work
Longview Philanthropy was founded in 2018 to advise major donors on reducing extreme risks.
The organisation has four departments:
- Operations
- Donor Advising
- AI Grantmaking
- Nuclear Grantmaking
Longview describes its team as collaborative and dedicated, with a culture centred on clear communication, professional development, direct feedback, ownership, excellence, and outcomes.
Conclusion
The Longview Philanthropy COO / Director of Operations opportunity is aimed at experienced operations professionals who can help a growing organisation scale its people, systems, processes, and functions while maintaining a high standard of effectiveness.
The successful candidate will play a central role in organisational growth, including managing operational leaders, expanding teams, developing new functions, improving systems, and supporting strategic decision-making.
With compensation of up to $330,000+ for the COO position, additional benefits, and opportunities to work across Longview’s offices in the United States or United Kingdom, the role represents a significant senior leadership opportunity for an experienced operations professional.
Candidates who have successfully scaled organisations and are motivated by Longview’s mission should consider applying before the 6 September 2026 deadline.
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