Chief Operations Officer - Center for Research Libraries

Another Source • Chicago, IL

7d • $160,000 - $180,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Another Source is partnering with the Center for Research Libraries (CRL) to find their next Chief Operating Officer. This role is a strategic partner and deputy to the President & CEO, responsible for leading enterprise-wide operations for a globally respected nonprofit. The COO will focus on building scalable systems, strengthening operational excellence, and driving strategic initiatives across finance, HR, administration, and organizational operations. The position is based in Chicago, Illinois, and is an onsite leadership opportunity with relocation assistance available. CRL is a nonprofit research library and member-owned consortium founded in 1949, supporting academic and research institutions by preserving the scholarly record, extending access to research materials, negotiating licensing agreements, and building shared infrastructure. CRL has approximately $30 million in assets, no debt, strong reserves, and a strategic framework focused on modernization, technology, resilience, and expanded shared infrastructure. The COO will report directly to the President & CEO, translating organizational vision into coordinated execution. This is an opportunity for organizational maturation, focusing on building management systems, operational discipline, staff capacity, and cross-functional alignment. The COO will work at the intersection of mission, finance, technology, human resources, organizational development, collections operations, and governance, partnering with the President, Board, internal leaders, external finance professionals, employment counsel, and member stakeholders. Library experience is not required; CRL seeks an operational executive experienced in leading complex, mission-driven organizations and creating structure, clarity, and accountability.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
• At least ten years of progressively responsible executive leadership experience with significant responsibility for nonprofit operations, administration, finance, or a comparable portfolio.
• At least five years of experience leading senior managers or multidisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated success designing and implementing organization-wide operating plans, systems, policies, and accountability structures.
• Strong financial leadership experience, including budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, long-range planning, internal controls, and presenting information to executive leaders or governing boards.
• Experience leading or overseeing human resources, workforce planning, employee relations, organizational development, and employment-law compliance.
• Experience managing enterprise risk, compliance, procurement, contracts, insurance, facilities, technology, or related operational functions.
• Proven ability to translate strategic vision into practical execution, measurable priorities, and sustainable organizational results.
• Experience partnering effectively with governing boards, executive leadership teams, external advisors, and diverse stakeholders.
• A track record of leading organizational change, improving cross-functional collaboration, and building high-performing teams.

Nice To Haves

• Graduate or professional degree.
• Experience within higher education, research institutions, cultural organizations, associations, consortia, or other mission-driven environments.
• Experience working within a membership organization or shared-service model.
• Experience overseeing information technology, facilities, capital projects, or enterprise systems.
• Familiarity with outsourced or fractional finance models and managing strategic external partners.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the President’s chief operational partner, translating CRL’s strategic vision into coordinated execution across finance, human resources, technology, collections operations, procurement, facilities, and organizational administration.
• Lead the operational modernization of a financially strong organization entering its next phase of growth, strengthening the systems, cross-functional discipline, and management infrastructure needed to advance CRL’s 2027–2030 strategic framework.
• Build organizational capacity by coaching leaders, clarifying decision rights, strengthening accountability, and improving planning and execution across the enterprise.
• Provide executive leadership for internal teams responsible for collections access and technology, collections acquisition and licensing, and human resources.
• Serve as the primary executive relationship manager for CRL’s external accounting and finance partner, including its fractional CFO and accounting team, as well as outside human resources and labor counsel.
• Oversee annual operating budgets of approximately $7–9 million, funded primarily through member dues and program revenue.
• Help steward CRL’s strong financial position, including substantial operating reserves and more than $10 million in long-term investment assets.
• Provide executive oversight for more than $100 million annually in licensing transactions managed on behalf of member institutions, ensuring disciplined cash management, strong internal controls, and operational efficiency.
• Partner with the President and Board to strengthen business intelligence, long-range planning, financial stewardship, enterprise risk management, and organizational performance.
• Improve coordination among program, operations, technology, finance, and member-service functions so that shared priorities move efficiently from discussion to sustained execution.
• Lead continuous improvement efforts that create scalable processes, modernize systems, strengthen communication, and improve the employee and member experience.
• Support thoughtful organizational growth by partnering with the President and directors to identify the staffing, systems, and operational capabilities required to advance CRL’s strategic priorities.
• Help CRL evaluate and implement practical uses of emerging technologies, including automation, improved data practices, and artificial intelligence in library and organizational operations.
• Preserve the professional expertise and member ownership that make CRL distinctive while helping the organization become more integrated, resilient, and effective.

Benefits

• Executive-level paid vacation, sick leave, and personal time
• Eleven paid holidays, including two floating holidays
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Employer-paid basic life insurance and long-term disability coverage
• Retirement benefits, including an employer-funded Defined Contribution Retirement Plan and a Tax-Deferred Annuity Retirement Plan
• Relocation assistance

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive