Chief Operating Officer

American Council of Learned Societies • New York, NY

130d • $275,000 - $350,000

About The Position

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) oversees the day-to-day administrative and operational functions of ACLS including finance; digital and information technology; human resources operations and facilities management; and events management. Responsibilities include enhancing internal operations, particularly related to information technology; rethinking organizational structure to support the high caliber of work the Council is undertaking; identifying opportunities for operational improvement and efficiency across units; and implementing systems and best practices to optimize internal processes and workflows. The COO will work to bring staff into closer collaboration and to increase communication organization-wide, as well as to ensure policies and procedures are codified. The COO will also have the opportunity to advise ACLS member societies on their operations, and will work with the president and relevant staff on designing and supporting programs.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s in nonprofit management, business administration, or related field preferred
• Minimum 8-10 years of progressive leadership experience in operations in the nonprofit sector
• Experience with the foundation grant making processes and with the obligations of grant management
• Experience overseeing or working closely with operational functions including finance, human resources, facilities, technology; extensive budget oversight experience
• Ability to drive operational efficiency and process improvement, including cross-department workflows
• Strong strategic thinking and decision-making skills
• Ability to build strong collaborative relationships across all levels of an organization
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities; attention to detail; initiative and follow-through; commitment to deadlines and accountability; adaptability, calm, and leadership under pressure
• Ability to effectively lead and manage in a hybrid/remote work environment
• Experience leading, supervising, and managing diverse teams while being supportive, accessible, and committed to staff development
• Ability to set priorities and manage multiple projects simultaneously and change priorities as needed based on the needs of the organization, programs, and/or external stakeholders
• Proficiency in MS Office, particularly Word and Excel; experience with CRM systems; project management software, communication and collaboration tools
• Interest or experience in issues and challenges facing the humanities and humanistic social sciences
• Familiarity with American academic culture and norms a plus

Responsibilities

• Work with the President and other key staff to translate ACLS’s strategic priorities into operational plans; implement systems and processes needed for execution
• Assess future opportunities and risks
• Ensure that operational systems and processes adapt to increasing volume and complexity of programs
• Advise on organizational strategy and development
• Work with program unit directors to assess efficiency of program operations that interface with other operational units, including finance, events and digital and information systems
• Oversee technology systems and operations, including CRM database management and third-party vendors
• Review and assess current data management and workflow systems and software; determine alignment with current and future needs, and develop strategies for improving communication between systems
• Oversee finance operations, including improving the efficiency of payment processes and overseeing grants and administration
• Develop and manage budgets, ensuring responsible resource allocation; monitor financial performance throughout the year; and identify opportunities for cost savings and improving efficiency and effectiveness of operational functions
• Work with the HR Director on workforce planning and people management operations
• Oversee the events function; work with the Events Manager and unit directors on improving existing processes and ensuring alignment between unit and programmatic needs and ACLS event related policies
• Oversee facilities management; work with the Office Manager, in conjunction with the HR Director, to oversee facilities management needs
• Foster collaboration and communication among unit directors and key operations staff to create and execute a cohesive and integrated organizational approach to operations management
• Develop clear policies for all internal operational functions and maintain a central repository for all standard operating procedures
• Enhance relationships with member societies by supporting their work and exploring opportunities for mutual collaboration

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life, accidental death and disability insurance
• Generous time off benefits
• Retirement savings plan, including employer contributions
• Professional development support

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Master's degree