CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

Louisiana Childrens Museum•New Orleans, LA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) leads all internal operations and is responsible for implementing the strategic plan and operational goals of the Louisiana Children's Museum. As a member of the senior leadership team, the COO coordinates cross-departmental work, supports the execution of organizational priorities, and serves as a liaison to external partners and stakeholders. The COO collaborates closely with senior leadership and provides oversight of human resources, finance, facilities, museum and programmatic operations, and revenue-generating activities. This role ensures that day-to-day operations are managed efficiently and effectively while establishing policies and systems that promote the museum's culture, mission, and vision. Serving as second in command, the COO supports the CEO in advancing strategic initiatives, strengthening organizational performance, and developing operational processes that enable the museum to grow and deliver high-quality educational experiences for children and families. This position requires a dynamic leader who can manage multiple departments, optimize organizational processes, and drive sustainable growth while maintaining the organization's commitment to its mission and community impact.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Nonprofit Management, Museum Studies, or related field
Minimum 10 years of operational leadership or senior program management experience
Demonstrated experience implementing strategic plans and managing large teams (50+ employees)
Strong financial management and budget oversight experience ($5M+ budgets)
Proven track record of successful organizational leadership in complex, multi-departmental environments
Exceptional leadership, organizational, and communication skills
Strong analytical and strategic decision-making abilities
Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines
Experience with performance management and staff development
Proficiency with financial management software and operational technology systems
Strong project management and process improvement skills
Experience building and leading high-performing teams working across cross-functional departments
Demonstrated ability to foster inclusive workplace cultures
Strong conflict resolution and problem-solving abilities
Experience managing change initiatives and organizational transitions
Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders
Prolonged periods of sitting and standing. Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds at a time.

Nice To Haves

Experience in nonprofit, museum, cultural, or educational organizations
Previous experience in children's programming or family-oriented services
Proven experience leading organizational transformation initiatives
Experience managing facilities operations and vendor partnerships
Grant writing and fundraising experience
Experience working with boards of directors and governance structures
Master’s degree in business administration, Nonprofit Management, or related field
Professional certifications in nonprofit management, operations, or related fields
Experience with program evaluation and outcome measurement
Knowledge of museum industry standards and best practices
Bilingual capabilities (English/Spanish preferred)
Experience with capital projects and facility development
Advanced proficiency with Microsoft 365 suite

Responsibilities

Partner with the CEO to drive organizational vision, operational strategy, and workforce planning
Translate strategic goals into actionable objectives across departments
Lead implementation and tracking of the organization's strategic plan
Establish performance metrics and reporting systems to measure progress and organizational impact
Provide programmatic leadership across museum operations and initiatives
Monitor organizational performance against strategic goals and recommend course corrections
Identify opportunities for growth, efficiency improvements, and mission advancement
Provide strong day-to-day leadership and guidance to operations teams
Foster an inclusive and high-performing workplace culture that reflects the organization's values
Oversee recruiting, onboarding, training, and performance management across departments
Develop leadership capacity among managers and directors
Recruit, onboard, and coach leadership staff including the Operations Engagement Director, Human Resources Director, Facilities Director, Chief Engineer, and Events & Sales Manager
Support leadership development and accountability initiatives
Enforce compliance with company policies and federal, state, and local regulations
Maintain strong relationships with community partners, vendors, and stakeholders
Ensure adherence to ethical standards and conflict of interest policies
Oversee museum operations, guest experience, camps, events, and facilities management
Coordinate and integrate operations across departments to improve workflow and service delivery
Establish policies and procedures that strengthen day-to-day operations
Ensure safe, efficient, and effective work environments for staff and visitors
Identify opportunities for operational improvements and service enhancements
Review, analyze, and evaluate operational procedures for continuous improvement
Improve customer service and satisfaction through policy and procedural changes
Lead coordination and integration of efforts across operations and customer service teams to produce smoother workflows and more cost-effective processes
Manage the development and completion of the operational annual budget submitted for board approval
Monitor departmental budgets, operational costs, and earned revenue streams
Support fundraising and revenue-generating activities
Forecast financial performance and ensure operational sustainability
Plan, direct, control, implement, evaluate, monitor, and forecast budgets and costs in each department and earned revenue stream to achieve financial objectives
Collaborate with the CEO and Controller on budget development, monitoring, and reporting
Ensure responsible stewardship of organizational resources and donor funds
Communicate and explain new directives, policies, or procedures to managers
For major changes, meet with entire operations staff to explain changes, answer questions, and maintain morale
Serve as a key spokesperson for the organization when representing the CEO
Facilitate cross-departmental communication and collaboration
Manage organizational change initiatives with sensitivity to stakeholder concerns
Support the CEO in board relations and governance activities
Prepare operational reports and presentations for board meetings
Collaborate with board committees as assigned
Represents the organization at community events and professional meetings
Maintain relationships with peer organizations and industry networks
Establish quantitative and qualitative metrics, guidelines, and standards by which organizational efficiency and effectiveness can be evaluated
Identify opportunities for improvement and implement corrective actions
Ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and accreditation standards
Oversee risk management protocols and emergency preparedness procedures
Monitor and ensure adherence to safety protocols for staff and visitors
Lead the implementation and management of operational systems and technology platforms that support organizational growth, operational efficiency, and data-driven decision-making
Oversee systems that support daily operations across Visitor Services, Exhibit & Guest Engagement and Experience, Group Experiences, the Museum Store, and facility operations
Leverage technology to improve reporting, streamline processes, and ensure operational teams have the tools necessary to manage visitor services, facilities, security, retail operations, and event scheduling
Admissions and ticket sales management
Membership sales and customer account lookup
Museum store retail sales operations
Inventory management (receiving, adjustments, stock levels, and counts)
Daily and monthly operational reporting
Group Experiences Scheduling-Acuity – Used for birthday party bookings and group visit scheduling
Oversee vendor relationships and operational contracts supporting museum operations, including janitorial services, landscaping, waste management, property insurance, IT services, and event vendors and rental partners
Maintain key operational partnerships, including coordination with DBC-Acorn for food service management
Maintain key operational partnerships, including coordination with City Park for facilities and grounds management
Other duties as assigned