Vice President for Administration and Operations (Chief Operations Officer)

Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences invites inquiries, nominations, and applications for the position of Vice President for Administration and Operations. The VPA&O provides strategic leadership and oversight of administrative and operational functions at Bigelow Laboratory to enable the institution to meet its strategic goals and fulfill its research mission. This executive role collaborates with senior leadership to optimize operational and financial planning, to ensure compliance with external funder and legal requirements, and oversees campus operations including IT and facilities. It will also support senior leadership in analyzing the administrative and operational implications of new opportunities and pursuits that the institution may undertake in the future as part of scenario planning and development. This position is offered at pay grade T ranging from $185,503 – $278,285.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Director of Finance (jointly with CEO)

Director of IT

Director of Facilities

Director of Human Resources

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS [education, knowledge, skills, abilities, experience): 

• PhD and familiarity conducting research related to Bigelow’s mission
• 10 years of increasing level of responsibility for oversight of research and operations
• Knowledge and connections with diverse federal science agencies and familiarity with compliance requirements
• High level of integrity and discretion
• Comfort with managing many complex projects and ability to prioritize
• Strong mentoring, team-building, and collaborative management skills
• Ability to explore and evaluate new opportunities

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (listed in order importance to the position):

• Oversee financial operations in partnership with the Director of Finance and CEO

• In coordination with the Vice President for Research, as Authorized Organization Representative, oversee the pre- and post-award compliance and reporting functions of sponsored programs activities
• Oversee the strategic management of campus facilities, including working with the Director of Facilities to provide functional laboratory assets with depreciation planning, to coordinate high-level campus planning construction and maintenance activities in alignment with research needs, and to assign space allocations to campus activities. This also includes high-level oversight of campus Safety Operations including chemical hygiene, radioisotope usage, IACUC, IBC, Dive Safety, and Marine Operations.
• Oversee active risk management and the institutional insurance portfolio, including the quarterly updating of the Laboratory’s “risk register” for safety, security and compliance risks and planning annual disaster preparedness scenario testing (e.g. financial, IT, personnel, physical plant)

• Serve as a strategic partner as part of the laboratory’s Leadership Team to create and establish yearly objectives that align with the laboratory’s strategic plan

• Oversee IT operations, including working with the Director of IT to ensure security and operations of the IT and financial enterprise as well as strategic planning and execution for all IT services, including high-performance computing, data storage, and networking, to meet both current and future needs for research and administration at the institution

• Work with Human Resources to ensure appropriate legal compliance

• Collaborate with the Vice President for Research and Vice President for Strategic Alliances & Advancement to strengthen funding agency relationships and support interdisciplinary programs and collaborative projects.

• Participate in pivotal decisions as they relate to strategic initiatives and operational models

Apply

Submit a CV, cover letter, and contact information for three references through our online application portal. For full consideration, the application must be received by April 18, 2025.

Individuals seeking more information about this position or needing to request an accommodation, please contact careers@bigelow.org or (207) 315-2567, ext. 107.

Working at Bigelow Laboratory

About Midcoast Maine

Bigelow Laboratory’s state-of-the-art oceanfront campus in East Boothbay is located in scenic Midcoast Maine, perfectly situated to provide access to the very best Maine has to offer. Within a reasonable commuting distance of most major Maine cities, this mid-coast peninsula offers the perfect balance between small town coastal charm and urban accessibility. Our peninsula is home to fishermen and sea captains, marine biologists, nature lovers, botanists and gardeners, artists, merchants, and entrepreneurs. Many non-profit organizations call this region home and work hard to further their missions in support of the arts, seamanship and marine education, conservation, historic preservation, and more.