#132538 Chief Operating Officer - Birch Aquarium
Filing Deadline: Wed 11/6/2024
UC San Diego values equity, diversity, and inclusion. If you are interested in being part of our team, possess the needed licensure and certifications, and feel that you have most of the qualifications and/or transferable skills for a job opening, we strongly encourage you to apply.
Recognized as one of the top 10 research universities worldwide, a culture of collaboration sparks discoveries that advance society and drive economic impact. Our team is looking to add an extremely creative individual as Birch Aquarium's new Chief Operating Officer. If you are a strategic leader with an innovative mind, we want you!
DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW
Birch Aquarium at Scripps (BAS) serves as the outreach center for Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego and provides the public a lens into cutting edge ocean, atmospheric and earth sciences. Birch Aquarium at Scripps’ mission is to ‘connect understanding to protecting our ocean planet.’ BAS’s growing portfolio of services and outreach programs currently serve over 565,000 public visitors and 43,000 K-12 students. BAS is a recognized industry leader in animal care and conservation and in innovation in science communications.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) position is responsible for developing and executing operating plans to support delivery on mission and strategic direction for Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography. The COO is responsible for oversight of organizational strategy, business development and operational execution. The COO reports directly to the Aquarium’s Executive Director and is an integral member of the BAS senior leadership team. The COO manages all operational aspects of BAS including general administration, finance, human resources, IT systems, facilities maintenance, marketing, membership, visitor services (admissions, group sales, food service, first aid, parking), guest experience, special events, and retail.
The COO provides strategic leadership by formulating a clear institutional plan that is thoughtfully orchestrated, through integrated departmental and individual plans, to achieve coordinated organizational outcomes. The COO leads annual and long-term strategic and budget planning and oversees and monitors an overall annual budget of approximately $14M and oversees a staff over 175 (including 75 students). The COO embodies an entrepreneurial spirit and drives new business initiatives that contribute to BAS’s long-term fiscal sustainability.
Birch Aquarium is a fast-moving work environment requiring careful management of staff, resources and overlapping initiatives. The COO is responsible for developing and maintaining an effective team-oriented, inclusive and equitable work environment through artful communications, empathetic listening, and communal problem solving. The COO is responsive to and responsible for effective change management on multiple scales.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Minimum five (5) years experience with demonstrated success managing the operation of a multi-million dollar aquarium, zoo, museum, science center, or related operation; demonstrated application of professional standards of aquarium, museum and/or non-profit operations.
- Bachelors degree in business administration or business-related field or equivalent combination of education or experience.
- Demonstrated experience developing and successfully managing complex annual strategic and budget plans.
- Proven ability to think, act and plan strategically to help BAS successfully navigate the fast changing social and economic environment.
- Proven skills to apply entrepreneurial thinking to identify and make the most of opportunities, overcome and learn from setbacks, and succeed in a variety of settings using creativity, innovation and risk-taking, as well as the ability to plan and manage projects in order to achieve objectives.
- Demonstrated team player attitude having a growth mindset, openness to feedback, an active listener, adaptability, with strong emotional intelligence skills.
- Broad knowledge of the organization's processes, protocols and procedures with a focus on budget, account and fund management and/or personnel management under labor contract(s) and personnel policy.
- Knowledge of public funding sources and grant proposal process; ability to support development of budgets for proposed projects.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS
Must pass a background check.
Our employees enjoy competitive compensation packages and educational opportunities in a diverse, stimulating workforce.
This position is eligible for full benefits first day of hire:
a) Health/Dental/Vision Insurance.
b) Vacation/holidays (18 vacation days & 14 paid holidays a year).
c) Work/Life Balance.
d) UC Retirement Plan.
For more information about UCSD Benefits please visit and UCSD Work/Life visit.
Pay Transparency Act
Annual Full Pay Range: $104,900 - $198,900 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)
Hourly Equivalent: $50.24 - $95.26
Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Hiring Pay Scale referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Annual Full Pay Range may be broader than what the University anticipates to pay for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).
If employed by the University of California, you will be required to comply with our Policy on Vaccination Programs, which may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.
To foster the best possible working and learning environment, UC San Diego strives to cultivate a rich and diverse environment, inclusive and supportive of all students, faculty, staff and visitors.
UC San Diego is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.
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