Kalamazoo Defender’s mission is rooted in the conviction that poverty and various forms of discrimination put our clients on inequitable footing within and beyond our criminal justice system. Our job is to be their zealous defender in the face of these systemic barriers, upholding not just the letter but the spirit of the U.S. Constitution’s Sixth Amendment, whatever the particulars of a given case.
Chief of Finance and Operations
Salary Range: $135,000 – $147,519
The Chief of Finance and Operations is a full-time position that provides strategic leadership and collaborative management of Kalamazoo Defender’s financial, operational, and administrative functions.
Reporting directly to the Executive Director as a member of the Executive Leadership Team, the COFO partners with leadership to ensure resources and systems are equitably and effectively stewarded in support of Kalamazoo Defender’s mission.
As the organization’s chief financial steward, the Chief of Finance & Operations manages diverse funding streams, complex grants, and compliance requirements while supporting long-term sustainability. Beyond finance, the COFO provides collaborative leadership across organizational functions—including HR, IT, facilities, office administration, and other administrative and program support areas that sustain Kalamazoo Defender’s holistic defense model.
The ideal candidate is both a skilled nonprofit finance leader and a systems-minded executive who can guide diverse teams. Most importantly, they are deeply committed to Kalamazoo Defender’s mission and see finance and operations not only as back-office functions, but as levers for advancing equity and systemic change in the criminal legal system.
Kalamazoo Defender is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applicants from all backgrounds to apply.
Please send your resume and cover letter to Jobs@KalamazooDefender.org or to the following address:
Kalamazoo Defender Attn: Human Resources 151 S Rose St - Ste 200 Kalamazoo, MI 49007