2024-184 Chief Operating Officer - Ocean Conservancy

POSITION TITLE: Chief Operating Officer

DEPARTMENT/PROGRAM: Operations

REPORTS TO: Chief Executive Officer

STATUS: Full-Time, Exempt

LOCATION: Washington, DC preferred (hybrid)

ABOUT OCEAN CONSERVANCY

Ocean Conservancy works to protect the ocean from today’s greatest global challenges. Together with our partners we create evidence-based solutions for a healthy ocean and the wildlife and communities that depend on it.

POSITION SUMMARY

For this newly created position, Ocean Conservancy seeks an experienced executive to translate the organizational vision into an integrated operational strategy. The Chief Operating Officer (COO) will lead the strategic planning, priority setting, decision making and risk management across the operational components of the institution. They will provide leadership across a currently distinct set of operational departments and functions: People and Culture, Finance, Administration, Information Technology, Legal and Compliance. The COO will drive alignment and integration across these internally focused functions to increase effectiveness, and to allow the CEO to be more externally focused. Ocean Conservancy has experienced significant growth over the last decade. The COO will ensure that Ocean Conservancy’s operations are effectively managed on a day-to-day basis, while developing and building the systems, processes and professionals needed to assess and manage risk and support the institution’s continued growth. This position will oversee, inspire and develop a team of senior leaders. The COO will also be a strong partner for other departmental leaders who oversee our conservation, resource development and communications work to set and execute institutional strategies and priorities. They will serve as a spokesperson for the institution internally, externally and with the board of directors.

The ideal candidate is a team builder who brings a high level of emotional intelligence with a collaborative, constructive and results-oriented leadership style. They are flexible and creative in addressing challenges and identifying solutions. The COO brings exceptional communication skills and an advanced understanding on supporting overall operations through technology and strong people relations.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Sets the strategy for and oversees all aspects of internal systems and culture in support of Ocean Conservancy’s mission.
• Drives alignment, integration and effectiveness across all operations functions in support of strong cross-function collaboration, cohesive processes and a positive employee experience.
• Supervises three senior leaders: the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), the Vice President of People and Culture, and the Vice President of Operations. Helps clarify and integrates individual, departmental and institutional roles and responsibilities. Develops, coaches and mentors senior staff to maximize and reach optimal individual, departmental and institutional goals while meeting culture and social norms.
• Partners with other executives to work across departments and identifies priorities, timelines, and manages institutional change.
• People and Culture
• Provides leadership to the People and Culture team to ensure that Ocean Conservancy’s comprehensive human resources strategy implements best practices and consistently reflects the institution’s priorities, values, culture and commitment to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Serves as a senior leader for the institution’s Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion work, ensuring it has clear, actionable and sustainable goals.
• Works closely with the CEO, the Executive team and the VP of People and Culture to build a collaborative, healthy and sustainable culture.
• Finance and Administration
• Provides leadership support to the CFO and Finance team to design, implement and maintain efficient, effective and accurate budgeting, financial management and reporting.
• Oversees the budget planning processes.
• Operations: Information Technology, Legal and Compliance
• Provides leadership to continue to update the institution’s systems, policies and processes to assess and manage risk and improve institutional effectiveness.
• Supports teams across the institution to manage the intersection of data and information with institutional performance.
• Ensures the information technology and systems support efficient work and minimize risks.
• Provides leadership support to the Operations team as they advance a more centralized approach to management and compliance for grants and contracts, as well as legal and compliance functions more broadly.
• Helps build and iterate on internal systems for institution-wide measurement and evaluation.

REQUIRED SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE

• 15 or more years of professional experience, including 8 or more years of demonstrated success in an executive leadership role. Nonprofit experience required; conservation experience a plus.
• Effective partner to the CEO and executive team.
• Executive level experience in setting strategy, decision-making, problem-solving, risk assessment and management and operational management.
• Proven ability to provide deft management of people, organizational finances, and performance, building teams, integrating across functions and supporting accountability.
• Track record of leading and partnering on change management initiatives, demonstrating the ability to effectively balance the desire/need for change with an understanding of how much change the organization is capable of handling, to create realistic goals and implementation plans that are achievable and successful.
• Track record of leading justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in an organizational setting.
• Experience leading human resource functions and building organizational culture.
• Experience with managing and communicating about, as well as a deep understanding of, nonprofit accounting and financial management.
• Experience leading operational functions, particularly: non-profit systems, IT, human resource information systems and legal subject areas preferred.
• A collaborative leadership style, high emotional intelligence, ability to build relationships and work effectively across diverse teams.
• Exceptional cultural competency and interpersonal communication skills.
• Exceptional ability to train, develop, manage and lead senior staff.
• Demonstrated ability to simplify the complex, balance analysis with action and make high quality and efficient decisions.
• Experience using an impact-oriented approach to design systems, policies and practices that support and reduce redundancy or burdens on other departments.
• Ability to juggle many tasks simultaneously and prioritize duties.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Ability to produce high quality work and exercise good judgment.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
  

EDUCATION

Bachelor’s Degree required; Masters in Business Administration, Masters in Public Administration or equivalent advanced skills or degree, preferred.

COMPENSATION

Ocean Conservancy is committed to equity in its pay practices and posts expected salary ranges for each of its positions. Compensation will be commensurate with the candidate’s specialty skills, years of experience, location, and unique background. The expected salary range is $198,600 to $248,251. We would welcome the opportunity to connect with potential candidates whose salary requirements may be outside of the expected range.

HYBRID WORK ENVIRONMENT

Ocean Conservancy embraces a hybrid work environment, which allows our staff the flexibility to work virtually and in-person while building strong connections across the institution.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Ocean Conservancy provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

We encourage applicants who have a diverse level and range of relevant skills and experiences to apply. A 100% match is not required. We want to support employees’ career growth and in return, our employees help Ocean Conservancy grow into a stronger, more inclusive organization.