UCAR Deputy Chief Operating Officer

University Corporation for Atmospheric Research•Boulder, CO

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

UCAR is seeking a Deputy Chief Operating Officer (COO) to join our team to provide enterprise-level leadership for UCAR's operational infrastructure, ensure the effective, compliant, and resilient delivery of services that support UCAR’s federally funded research mission. Reporting to the COO, this senior executive will help shape operational strategy and translate organizational priorities into coordinated, high-performing operations spanning facilities, infrastructure, centralized services, and administrative functions. The Deputy COO will play a critical role in advancing operational excellence, strengthening governance and risk management, and ensuring organizational readiness within a complex and evolving federal funding environment. STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP & OVERSIGHT The Deputy COO will assist the COO oversee a complex operational portfolio focused on financial stewardship, risk management, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement. This role will lead organizational change initiatives, ensure operational readiness in a dynamic federal funding environment, and serve as a strategic advisor to executive leadership and UCAR’s Board of Trustees. The position will require skill and experience navigating evolving federal requirements while maintaining operational excellence and supporting the COO across the full scope of enterprise operations. LEADERSHIP APPROACH & QUALIFICATIONS Operating with significant independence, the Deputy COO will demonstrate exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, strong emotional intelligence, and executive presence. The role requires sound judgment in managing high-impact operational, financial, and reputational decisions while engaging effectively with stakeholders at all levels. The ideal candidate will have a proven record of thriving in rapidly evolving environments, proactively identifying emerging issues and operational improvements, and leading cross-functional teams to advance strategic initiatives.

Requirements

Master’s degree in business or related operational management, or 10 years of comparable operational management leadership experience
5 years of cross-functional management experience.
Operational Leadership - Comprehensive knowledge of enterprise business operations across finance, facilities, infrastructure, compliance, and administrative functions, with proven ability to lead in complex, federally funded research environments.
Strategic & Financial Acumen - E xpertise in strategic planning, budget management, and financial analysis with demonstrated ability to align resources to organizational priorities and navigate multi-year funding cycles.
Process Excellence - Track record of leading enterprise-wide process improvement and change management initiatives that deliver measurable results in operational efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness.
Risk Management & Compliance - Strong capability in identifying, assessing, and mitigating organizational risk, including regulatory compliance, governance, and federal reporting requirements.
Executive Presence & Stakeholder Engagement - Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills with ability to influence and engage effectively across all organizational levels, from individual contributors to boards and federal partners.
Project & Portfolio Leadership - Demonstrated success managing complex, cross-functional initiatives from conception through implementation, including coordinating diverse stakeholders and competing priorities.
Analytical & Systems Thinking - Advanced ability to synthesize complex data, assess organizational performance against metrics, and develop evidence-based recommendations for strategic and operational decisions.
Collaborative Leadership - Proven capacity to build high-performing, collaborative teams, integrate diverse perspectives, and foster organizational alignment in matrixed environments.
Sound Judgment & Discretion - Established track record of handling confidential, sensitive, and high-stakes matters with appropriate judgment, professionalism, and executive-level decision-making capability.
Adaptability & Resilience - Ability to thrive in rapidly evolving environments, anticipate emerging challenges, and proactively drive organizational readiness and continuous improvement.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience supporting C-level executives in a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) or similar environment.

Responsibilities

Strategic Planning & Organizational Alignment Lead development and implementation of enterprise-level strategic initiatives aligned with UCAR's mission and organizational goals.
Establish cross-functional governance structures to drive strategic priority-setting, resource allocation, and operational alignment across all Laboratory, Center, Program, and Office (LCPO) functions.
Develop and monitor performance metrics that assess operational effectiveness, strategic progress, and organizational risk.
Integrate risk identification and mitigation into strategic planning and decision-making processes.
Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement Lead enterprise-wide process improvement initiatives that enhance operational performance, cost efficiency, and compliance through stakeholder engagement, satisfaction surveys, and data-driven analysis.
Design and implement operational workflows that improve quality, timeliness, consistency, and risk management across the organization.
Establish, monitor, and report on enterprise-wide key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure operational impact and inform evidence-based recommendations for continuous improvement.
Direct change management efforts including stakeholder engagement, communication strategies, training, and adoption support.
Financial Stewardship & Budget Management Monitor operational budgets and provide strategic analysis and recommendations on current-year and forward-year resource allocation, financial tradeoffs, and risk mitigation.
Partner with the COO in budget planning, execution, and reconciliation to ensure optimal deployment of resources aligned with organizational priorities.
Enterprise Operations Leadership Serve as acting COO during absences, providing continuity of executive leadership.
Oversee UCAR's organizational project portfolio, delivering strategic guidance and performance oversight to the COO.
Lead preparation and submission of critical federal deliverables, including the annual operating plan, NSF management review, and performance-based management plan.
Direct bi-annual operational satisfaction surveys and translate findings into actionable improvements.
Contribute to organizational governance through participation in investigations, hiring committees, and other executive initiatives as needed.

Benefits

UCAR affirms its commitment to employees through competitive benefits . In addition to medical, dental, vision, retirement, and life insurance, UCAR offers a variety of programs focused on work-life balance and professional, and personal development.
These include: Tuition Assistance, time off allowance to attend classes, and other professional development opportunities.
UCAR contributes 10% of your eligible pay into your retirement account; 100% fully vested on day one.
Starting minimum accrual of 20 days of personal time off each year (prorated for less than full-time positions).
10 paid holidays.
12 weeks of paid parental leave.
Short-term medical leave paid at 100% of your regular salary.
EcoPass for local Colorado residents to use the Denver and Boulder-area transit system at no cost.

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