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Chief Operating Officer

Employer
Woodwell Climate Research Center
Location
Falmouth, Massachusetts
Salary
Competitive
Closing date
Jul 18, 2021

View more

Focus Areas
Science / Technology
Job Function
Accounting / Finance, Executive / Senior Management
Position Type
Full Time
Degree Level
Bachelors
Willingness to Travel
up to 25%
Experience Level
Executive

Chief Operating Officer

Falmouth, Massachusetts

SUMMARY:  Woodwell Climate Research Center (Woodwell) is a top ranked independent climate research institute whose mission is to advance science-based climate policies through scientific research and outreach. The keys to Woodwell’s success are the quality of their science and the ability to connect science to opportunities to influence policies and decisions.

Woodwell seeks an experienced Chief Operating Officer (COO). The position will manage operations and all financial aspects of Woodwell. As a member of the Senior Management team, this position ensures that Woodwell is effectively managed on a day-to-day basis while positioning the organization for growth. The COO reports to the President and Executive Director and works with the Board of Directors on a variety of strategic projects and represents the Woodwell staff on the Finance Committee. This role requires comfort in decision making while fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment. The COO leads the following departments: Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, and Sponsored Research. Past experience managing multiple facets of a business or non-profit is required. 

Responsibilities

Finance

  • Ensure organizational accounting records are closed monthly in a timely and accurate manner.
  • Manage and update quarterly and annual expense, revenue, and capital expenditure budgets.
  • Develop 1, 3 and 5 year financial and operating plans.
  • Present budget versus actual information, forecasts, and strategic plans to the Board of Directors and Senior Management Team.
  • Manage annual audit with internal staff and outside auditors.
  • Ensure payroll and benefits are consistently applied, continuous and accurate.
  • Using existing accounting, grant management, and other internal software, provide scientists and grant managers updated and timely information including funds spent, funds remaining, and time remaining on grants.

 

 

Operations

  • Support the President and Executive Director, Deputy Director, and other external-facing departments to maximize decision-making for fundraising, partnering, and branding to further the organization’s vision and mission.
  • Manage the Administrative, Human Resources (HR), Information Technology (IT), Facilities, Sponsored Research Office (SRO), and Project Support departments to create, establish, and meet organizational goals.
  • Contribute to developing long-term strategic plans for the organization while creating an environment where all employees are excited about Woodwell’s future and their role in Woodwell’s success.
     
  • Embrace and promote inclusive, engaged employees, while assisting in creating a diverse work environment in collaboration with HR, Senior Management, and the Diversity, Inclusion, Retention, and Equity Committee.
  • Maintain and support internal employee and operating policies.

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or related field required; MBA preferred
  • 10+ years as Chief Operating Officer (COO) or Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in a non-profit organization or 15+ years as COO or CFO in a for-profit organization
  • C.P.A. or equivalent experience required
  • Clearly demonstrate passion for climate change: knowledge of the key issues, and understanding of the seriousness of human-caused climate challenges facing the planet
  • History of strong executive leadership and team building skills
  • Excellent negotiator with ability to build  agreements between parties
  • Effective communicator and active listener with all employees
  • Inclusive and fair leader with direct reports
  • Supportive collaborator with peers
  • Strong written and oral presentation skills
  • Operates comfortably in a growing organization with multiple projects and competing priorities.
  • Strategic thinker with ability to translate long-term vision into tactical action and goals
  • Dynamic problem solver who can think strategically while delivering concrete action plans with achievable results
  • Detail oriented. Strong financial and budgeting skills. Ability to compile and assemble financial information from many sources into cohesive plans, budgets, or decision-making tools.
  • Familiar with Sage Intacct accounting and grant management software, proficiency with Sage preferred
  • Ability to understand technical concepts and input from the IMS department, to ensure  organizational software and hardware systems are optimally maintained and consistently operating 
  • Proficient with spreadsheets, slide presentations, and word processing software including Google documents
  • Relocation required to the greater Boston/Providence area

Application Deadline: July 12, 2021, or until filled.   

Desired Start Date: August 30, 2021 

Classification and Compensation: This is a full-time, salaried, exempt position. The salary range is competitive. Woodwell offers a very generous benefits package.

Application Instructions : To apply, please send your cover letter, curriculum vitae, and contact information for three references as a single PDF to the email address in this ad. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Please type COO in the subject line.

Located on a 10-acre campus near the village of Woods Hole, the Woodwell Climate Research Center (Woodwell) is a private, non-profit research center. Woodwell is a leading source of climate science that drives the urgent action needed to solve climate change. Woodwell has 60+ staff members and is excited to welcome new employees to this work.

Woodwell is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, mental, or physical disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, familial status, veteran status, or genetic information. Woodwell is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for all individuals in employment practices, services, programs, and activities.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Woodwell

WE NEED ALL VOICES IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE

Climate change is the greatest challenge of our lifetimes. Woodwell Climate Research Center (Woodwell) understands that the climate crisis—from causes to consequences—is inextricably linked with persistent social injustice. Effectively addressing either requires addressing both. The climate crisis demands that we bring to bear all of the knowledge, expertise, innovation, and creativity that we can collectively muster, and those who have been marginalized and disproportionately impacted must be heard.

The work Woodwell does—the questions we ask, the ways we seek answers, and the strategies we put forward—is stronger when shaped by a diversity of knowledge, perspectives, and experiences. We strive to welcome, respect, and amplify differing voices. We value individuals as they are, with all their differences in race, age, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, language, and mental and physical abilities.

Woodwell acknowledges that our organization, and the scientific community more broadly, have a long way to go in living up to these ideals. We approach the work of improving our organization with the same ambition and commitment to systemic change that we bring to addressing climate change.

We will inevitably make mistakes, but we will continue to listen, learn, and do this critical work. We understand that this work requires an ongoing commitment from each and every one of us. We are actively engaged in building and sustaining an equitable and inclusive culture within our organization, and in fostering greater diversity in climate science.

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