Chief Operational Officer

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Standard Work Schedule:
• Building:
• Salary Range: $278,000 - $293,000

Position Summary

Reporting to the Climate School Dean, the Chief Operational Officer (COO) will serve as a primary senior advisor for school operations, organizational development, and will serve as a key member of the Climate School leadership team. The COO's primary objective is to support the coordination and oversight of a cross-cutting portfolio of initiatives related to the education, research, practice, and outreach activity of the Climate School. Leveraging systems thinking and deep knowledge/experience within complex organizations, they will also work across the school to develop strategy and structures to deepen coherence and alignment across functional areas and enhance internal communications and coordination to drive operational excellence. The COO will lead initiatives and be empowered to manage and follow up on all items of importance/priority to the school's executive leadership (e.g., Dean and Senior Vice-Dean) on their behalf.

They are ultimately responsible for providing direct execution support and strategic advice to the school's Executive Leadership, including the Dean and Senior Vice-Dean, and will work across the school's larger Leadership team and functional areas. The COO will partner and manage a myriad of processes, topics, and projects impacting the School's overall identity, culture, operations, finance, impact work, communications, partnerships, and DEIAJ portfolios; and will push in and provide high-level, high-impact consultation to relevant teams across those key functional areas. The incumbent will also consult and provide implementation guidance on ensuring systems, structures, and processes for the Dean, Senior Associate Dean, and Senior Vice Dean's offices, and the larger Dean's leadership team run as efficiently and effectively as possible, considering organizational context.

The COO will partner with the Dean and Senior Vice Dean in developing and sustaining an effective internal communication structure for an integrated senior leadership team. They will lead and drive school-wide adherence to the goals and priorities set by the Dean and Senior Vice Dean. The incumbent will also work closely with the Dean, school leadership, and senior University leadership to further establish the Climate School's scale and reach. The COO may be called upon to act as an accessible proxy for the school leadership when their attendance is not required.

Leveraging a direct and matrixed staff, the COO will ensure the prioritization of activities associated with strategic agenda setting, committee and team governance, and procedural/policy oversight. Mirroring key aspects of the Dean and Senior Vice Dean's scope of work, the COO will focus on priorities principally focused on organizational operations and development.

Responsibilities

Supervision

• Supervise unit heads for the following functions: Dean's Front Office, Human Resources and Talent, Communications and Events, Information Technology, Facilities, Data Operations, and Inclusive Excellence.
• Supervise the creation of a data management unit and infrastructure for institutional tracking.
• Provide oversight and strategic coordination across other functional units, including Office of Research, Office of Impact and Engagement, Academic and Student Affairs, Faculty Affairs, Development, Finance, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (LDEO).

Organizational Management and Operations

• Support the school's executive leadership in achieving target goals and priorities by serving as a strategic liaison and implementation leader.
• Strategize with the school's executive leadership and Dean's leadership team on operations, institutional planning, policy development, and problem resolution; ensure implementation plans are effectively communicated and managed.
• Provide oversight, guidance, and support projects of high importance, including the design and development of the Climate School.
• Work closely with the school's executive leadership to provide leadership across a range of functions at the school by analyzing strategic options, assessing the risks involved in key decisions, and managing appropriate actions.
• For key meetings that the school's executive director leads (as assigned): manage meeting agendas, ensure effective preparation, help manage discussion in the meeting itself, drive follow-ups and next steps (delegating to direct reports as needed).
• Anticipate and identify issues for discussion across the Leadership team at key meetings; work with appropriate departments to prepare and/or manage the preparation of reports, briefings, presentations, and responses on institutional and strategic issues.
• Provide operational leadership in the executive leadership's offices to accomplish the organization's goals and objectives effectively, including prioritization of activities, workflow, communications, and processes.
• Provide strategic consultation, partnership, and additional management/leadership across a myriad of the school's functional areas, including operations, finance, impact work, people and culture (i.e., HR), communications (internal and external), partnerships, and

DEIAJ portfolios

• Provide implementation guidance on ensuring systems, structures, and processes for the Dean and Senior Vice Dean's offices, and the larger Dean's leadership team run as efficiently and effectively as possible, considering organizational context
• Facilitate and design diversified meetings and collaboration spaces.
• Provide research-based recommendations on operations, leadership teaming structures, organizational design, systems, and structures, management, education, and service delivery.
• Manage and engage external consultants/vendors as needed.
• Supervise and deploy staff fulfilling project management duties as needed based on assessment of organizational needs.

Organizational Development

• Partner with unit leadership and school leadership to assess and strengthen organizational culture, morale, and sense of belonging across staff and faculty. Design and implement strategies that foster inclusion, connection, and engagement among diverse teams.
• Support schoolwide strategy, in partnership with HR team (full cycle talent): Midyear & Year-end reviews, promotions, recruiting & staff management (including expectation frameworks and performance metrics), onboarding, etc.
• Working with the executive leadership of the school, tracking, monitoring, and assessing progress against key organizational metrics and goals. Flag issues and propose solutions; develop systemic recommendations for improvements and interventions as needed. Push in when required to turn around, stabilize, and accelerate specific efforts.
• Serve as a primary internal consultant for organizational strategy and development as needed; coach and advise across different levels of leadership with strategic skip checks for emerging leaders and talent.
• Coordinate strategic internal school communications on behalf of the Executive Leadership, frequently involving faculty, scientists, and/or senior officers of the University, on a wide range of topics, including organizational announcements and other news that impacts the Climate School community, partnering with senior staff managing communications
• Serve as a conduit for organizational feedback to share with Executive Leadership and inform strategy and decision-making that enhances the school's overall collaborations and synergies.
• Performs other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• 
  

  Bachelor's degree and 10 years of related experience required, including prior supervisory experience.

  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• 
  

  Master's degree preferred; fields most relevant include management/business, policy, education, and/or sustainability fields (environmental policy, sustainability management, sustainable development, etc.).

  
  
• 
  

  At least ten years of related experience, with at least four years managing staff and four years supporting and/or engaging at an executive level.

  
  
• 
  

  An understanding of the organizational, academic, and administrative needs of a complex matrix organization, as well as a strong background in administration and diversity, equity, inclusion, and access.

  
  
• 
  

  Exceptional analytical, research, and organizational skills with meticulous attention to detail required. Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills are necessary, with the ability to give clear and concise presentations of complex material.

  
  
• 
  

  Demonstrated ability to forge strong internal partnerships that enhance organizational efficacy.

  
  
• 
  

  Must be able to function independently and exercise discretion and judgment in sensitive and potentially controversial matters.

  
  
• 
  

  Ability to set priorities and to plan, organize, coordinate, and direct multiple projects and activities with varied deadlines is essential.

  
  

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.