Chief of Operations

Summary:
The Chief of Operations serves as a strategic advisor to the President and key operational leader for the College, directly supporting the President and the President’s Cabinet. The Chief Operating Officer collaborates closely with divisional vice presidents to drive strategic decision-making, enhance organizational efficiency, and align resources to support the college’s long-term goals. The role requires a proactive approach to identifying challenges, developing innovative solutions, and implementing strategies that advance the college's mission and vision.

Leadership of Strategic Initiatives:

• Serves as a senior representative of the Office of the President, working collaboratively with senior leaders and managing office staff to execute complex, college-wide initiatives.
• Acts as the primary liaison between the President’s Office and internal stakeholders, community leaders, government entities, and external partners to advance institutional priorities.

Advisor and Strategic Partner:

• Serves as sounding board, issues manager, background researcher, and information conduit to the president.
• Keeps the president abreast of issues, news, and concerns; ensures the accurate, proper, and timely flow of information and that the president has all the information necessary to make informed decisions.

Executive Communications Oversight:

• Works closely with the Vice President of Institutional Advancement and the Director of Marketing and Strategic Communications to develop and disseminate messages from the President, ensuring clarity, consistency, and alignment with institutional goals.
• Develops, reviews, and refines briefing materials, talking points, executive reports, and correspondence.

Representation on Intuitional and External Platforms:

• Serves as a trusted proxy for the President at high-level meetings, events, and engagements, internally and externally, reinforcing institutional priorities and partnerships.

Institutional Alignment and Strategic Execution:

• Ensures alignment with the college's strategic plan by working closely with the President’s Cabinet and the Curriculum, Planning, and Assessment team to define and implement key initiatives that support the institutional mission and values.
• Provides executive-level guidance to ensure college priorities are well-coordinated, resource-efficient, and outcome-driven.

Board Professional:

• Serves as the primary liaison between the Office of the President and the Board of Trustees, providing support, guidance, and expertise to the Board Chair and Trustees, including by assisting in the planning and development of agendas, supporting the work of Board committees, and collaborating with the Board Chair to set clear goals for the Board and help Trustees fulfill their roles.
• Facilitates communication and relationship-building between the Board and senior leadership to ensure the Board is well-informed, engaged, and positioned to make strategic decisions that are aligned with the mission of and benefit the College.

Executive Cabinet Operations:

• Plans and coordinates Cabinet meetings and retreats, setting strategic agendas, guiding discussions, tracking action items, and ensuring follow-through on key initiatives.
• Provides executive-level administrative support to Cabinet functions, decision-making processes, and internal communication efforts.

Leadership and Development of Office Staff:

• Directly supervise the Staff Assistant, fostering a high-performance culture.
• Supports the planning and execution of the President’s public appearances, events with stakeholders, and community outreach efforts.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s degree plus 5-7 years of experience in a leadership role.
• Alignment with the Holyoke Community College mission, vision, and values.
• Ability to anticipate challenges and opportunities; think critically and strategically about institution-wide matters.
• Extraordinary communication skills (writing, presentation, and personal) with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Excellent judgment, diplomacy, tact, discretion, and follow-through.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality in all interactions.
• Flexibility and ability to navigate a complex, fast-paced environment.
• Ability to execute with excellence and work to deadlines, inspiring others to do the same.
• Strong organizational, collaborative, and project management skills.
• Excellent proofreading skills and attention to detail.
• Strong negotiation skills and ability to reach mutual points of agreement and benefit among peers and colleagues.
• Knowledge of budget development and monitoring procedures.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with multiple and varied constituencies.
• Ability to create and maintain partnerships.
• Skill in Microsoft Office software and Google Suite navigation.

Equivalency Statement:
We welcome and encourage applicants who do not meet the qualifications as stated above, to put in writing precisely how their background and experience have prepared them for the responsibilities of this position. It is preferred that this document be uploaded separately from the resume, cover letter, and references.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ph.D. preferred.
• Bilingual (Spanish/English).
• Experience working in higher education.
• Demonstrated experience with collective bargaining or working in a unionized environment.

Full-time, Non-Unit Professional position

Salary range: $119,107.30 - $131,503.38/year (Grade 9); plus a comprehensive State benefits package.
Funding Source: State

Hours: 37.5 hours/week