Chief Operations Officer - Center for Research Libraries
$160,000–$180,000 year
On-siteChicago, Illinois, United States
Job Summary
Translate the Center for Research Libraries' strategic vision into coordinated execution across finance, human resources, technology, collections operations, procurement, facilities, and organizational administration. Lead operational modernization efforts to strengthen management systems, cross-functional discipline, and execution rhythm for the organization's 2027–2030 strategic framework. Build organizational capacity by coaching leaders, clarifying decision rights, and improving planning and execution while overseeing annual operating budgets of approximately $7–9 million. Serve as the President's strategic partner and deputy, providing executive oversight for licensing transactions, enterprise risk management, and long-range planning. Partner with the Board and external advisors to drive organizational resilience and scalability within this member-owned nonprofit consortium.
Required Qualifications
- 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
Desired Qualifications
- 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
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