Chief Operating Officer (COO)

The Research Foundation of CUNY is currently seeking a seasoned organizational leader and exceptional manager to serve as Chief Operating Officer (COO), appointed by and serving at the pleasure of the President of RFCUNY. The COO is a member of the President’s executive team and works closely with senior-level leaders across the organization. The COO has oversight of organizational operations in support of field-based research including the following departments: grants and contracts management, procurements and payables, and administrative services. The COO engages with the Board of Directors, and other key external stakeholders, around organizational impact, and plans for the future. The COO also oversees the LLC that manages the operations and related aspects of the building where the foundation offices and other CUNY facilities are located.

• Oversight responsibility for all contracts, including grant agreements, business and vendor contracts, subcontracts, and federal agreements.
• Ensure compliance with federal procurement standards and uniform guidelines for all federally funded awards and contracts.
• Review legal documents and Terms of Service as necessary and in consultation with the Legal Affairs Department.
• Develop and recommend administrative and operating policies for the prudent and effective management of all aspects of the organization and its work.
• Responsible for ensuring that all policies are relevant and up to date and that appropriate risk assessment and oversight mechanisms to ensure full compliance of Foundation-supported activities within governmental regulations and sponsor requirements are present and effective.
• Provide leadership at all levels of the organization and manage a significant portion of RFCUNY Central Office managers and staff and ensure that the departments and work teams are staffed and functioning properly to meet foundation tasks and workloads.
• Partner with the President and executive team in effective management of the Board, including providing direct staff support, planning for, and participating in regular Board and committee meetings.
• As senior lead of RF operations models the highest standards of professional ethics and stays current in the different fields of responsibility.
• Take the lead in preparing regular data reports on the key functions, outputs, and outcomes of the organization.
• Manage relations between RFCUNY and Campus based leadership, staff, and representatives.
• Participate in auditing various workplace processes and implementing new strategies to improve efficiency and communication across respective departments.
• Supports the work of other RF divisions by communicating effectively with other leaders and staff inside and outside the organization.
• Actively participate in the development of RFCUNY and LLC budget proposals and new initiatives.
• Oversee management of 230 West 41st Street physical facilities and assets; including negotiations and rental of building facilities as needed.
• Identify, select, and work with consultants to supplement RFCUNY expertise.

Master’s degree in an area related to finance and administration (M.B.A., M.P.A.) is preferred. Applications are welcome from candidates without an advanced degree who possess demonstrated high-level, relevant corporate or managerial experience. 10+ years of professional experience and increased responsibilities in a fast-paced and growing non-profit environment. Broad experience in grant and contract preparation, implementation, and management (both pre- and post-award) is required.

The following experience is also highly desirable: Progressively increasing responsibility in academic and/or sponsored program administration and/or hospital or other large not-for-profit operation; demonstrated experience working collaboratively to lead the integration of a complex organization utilizing best practices in management to ensure shared success; a strategic thinker who understands how operations support the broader mission of the organization; familiarity with CUNY, a demonstrated commitment to the academic mission and service to faculty; experience as a full-time faculty member as well as an academic administrator; strong staff management experience required, with the ability and interest to work closely with staff members to set and achieve individual and team goals; outstanding analytical and strategic thinking skills with a focus on results and impact; ability to communicate effectively and earn and maintain the trust of constituencies that work with and are affected by the Research Foundation; a sense of humor and the ability to inspire others; decisiveness and humility; and significant experience implementing and maintaining a strong client/customer service orientation in a large, complex organization.

The Research Foundation of The City University of New York (RFCUNY) was established as a not-for-profit educational corporation chartered by the State of New York in 1963. RFCUNY supports CUNY faculty and staff in identifying and obtaining external support (pre-award) from government and private sponsors and is responsible for the administration of all such funded programs (post-award).

RFCUNY stands between CUNY’s principal investigators (PIs) and the sponsors who support them and strives to fulfill its essential responsibilities to both groups. Working closely with individual PIs and Grants Officers on the campuses, RFCUNY oversees employment, accounting, audit, reporting, purchasing, and special responsibilities that include management of a planned giving program; liaison with governmental agencies and foundations; negotiation of agreements; facility construction and renovation; protection and commercialization of intellectual property; and compliance with applicable standards in research involving human subjects, animal care, environmental and radiological safety, and conflicts of interest.