Chief Operating Officer Jobs

The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) is a non-profit medical research organization established in 1953 and one of the world’s largest philanthropies. HHMI is focused on supporting and moving science forward in a variety of different ways, ranging from conducting basic biomedical research, empowering educators, inspiring students, developing the next generation of scientists – and even stretching into film and media production. HHMI’s vision includes a focus on discovery science; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and public engagement.

THE SEARCH PROCESS

HHMI is being assisted in this recruitment by Spencer Stuart. Interested parties should submit comments, nominations of others, or information in support of their own candidacy to the confidential email address of the Spencer Stuart team: [email protected].

For more information about HHMI, please visit: https://www.hhmi.org/

THE PORTFOLIO

The COO oversees HHMI’s Finance, Business Solutions (department that maintains and develops critical IT systems and functions), Operations, and People and Culture (Human Resources) Departments, and Janelia Administrative Operations and Facilities. The senior staff in these units are seasoned, committed, and high performing, exemplifying HHMI’s commitment to the recruitment and development of exceptional administrators.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Perform other duties as assigned by the president or board of trustees.
• Provide the president, board of trustees, and others on HHMI’s management team with timely, accurate, and incisive reports on HHMI operations, which will include identifying and assessing potential areas of risk and proposing mitigation strategies.
• In partnership with other members of HHMI’s senior leadership team, anticipate, identify, and help solve operational problems, issues, obstacles, and barriers across all operations. Give and accept constructive feedback on strategies and programmatic initiatives; ensure feedback guides improvements. Ensure that the effectiveness and efficiency of operational systems and processes are assessed and that areas where improvements are needed are identified and support the development and implementation of those improvements. Participate in and support change management.
• Foster a culture at HHMI that values commitment, collaboration, integrity, continuous improvement, innovation, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and in which employees feel empowered, engaged in their work, and valued by colleagues, managers, and senior leaders. Give employees a sense of belonging and the ability to apply their unique skills and perspectives to fulfill HHMI’s mission. Support employees’ growth and promote the concept of striving for excellence in all that HHMI does.
• Foster open communications and information flow among programmatic and operational staff to help ensure that programmatic needs can be identified and met in the most effective and efficient manner.
• Partner closely with the president and other members of HHMI’s senior leadership team to formulate, translate, and execute HHMI’s strategic plans and objectives; take the lead in developing and facilitating the implementation of operational and administrative steps necessary to accomplish strategic plans and objectives established in cooperation with the board of trustees.
• Provide a strong day-to-day leadership presence; spend time at, build connections between, and better integrate operational activities at headquarters, Janelia Research Campus, Investigator laboratories, and host institution-based field offices. Invest time to understand the organizational structure of HHMI and build relationships with colleagues across all divisions of the Institute.
• Proactively provide advice and make recommendations to the president and other members of HHMI’s senior leadership team on issues of operational strategy and policy.
• Lead a high-functioning, cohesive team through transparency, collaboration, and effective performance management.
• Monitor and evaluate performance of operational teams and departments to ensure alignment with HHMI objectives. Motivate and lead a high-performance management team with responsibility for these groups; attract, recruit, mentor, and retain key members of the team as required.
• Articulate institutional and programmatic objectives clearly to teams in these groups. Ensure that these teams work effectively and collaboratively to achieve goals and to accommodate changes in HHMI’s research and education programs and priorities.

IDEAL EXPERIENCE

• Proficient in change management, with skills and experience introducing and implementing new programs across diverse professional groups.
• Sound knowledge of information systems and communications strategies and the ability to maximize alignments to create a whole greater than the parts.
• 5+ years of management experience in executive leadership role(s) working closely with senior leadership and being responsible for divisional or organizational-wide operations.
• Experience building, managing and leading operational and administrative functions across a multi-site organizational structure.
• Demonstrated track record of executive-level leadership in for-profit or non-profit organizations in progressively responsible management positions.
• A broad understanding of and an intellectual curiosity about science and an appreciation for academic biomedical research, and academic lab cultures; a shared value for science education.
• MBA, other relevant graduate or advanced degree considered.

CRITICAL LEADERSHIP CAPABILITIES

Building Organization Capability

• Interpersonal qualities that foster a close collaborative relationship with the president and an easy working relationship with others in HHMI’s leadership and internal and external constituencies.
• A focused yet flexible and resilient leader.
• Spends time building a clear understanding of the capabilities and potential of the COO team as well as opportunities to build strategic capability to support the whole organization.
• Proactively seeks to improve processes and implement best-in-class solutions, raising quality and productivity in a calculated way.

Collaborating and Influencing

• Collaborates and openly and respectfully debates with the team to manage projects, solve problems, discuss challenging issues, or learn more about critical issues as a group.
• Decisive and thoughtful leader who deftly engages stakeholders to achieve desired outcomes.
• A natural connector who builds strong relationships with colleagues at all levels across the organization.

Driving Adaptation and Innovation

• Challenges assumptions and conventional wisdom with specific, supported, and reasoned proposals.
• Empowers teams to experiment, sharpen customer-service focus, and meet the dynamic needs of HHMI’s program areas.
• Identifies changes consistent with the organizational strategy and outlines an implementation plan to achieve buy-in across the Institute.

OTHER PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Intellectual curiosity and creative problem-solving skills; ability to develop, build support for, and execute creative and efficient solutions to operational challenges.
• Strong leadership skills with an ability to set vision, lead change, resolve conflicts effectively and fairly, and mentor/coach others.
• Passion for and commitment to the work and mission of HHMI, and a strong desire to contribute to HHMI’s biomedical research and science education activities.
• A consultative approach and service orientation.
• Strong written and oral communications skills in public and private settings with diverse audiences.
• Desire and ability to communicate clearly, listen attentively and engage and persuade others as a trusted colleague.
• An enthusiasm for the mission of HHMI; a steward of its culture; and an advocate for all employees.
• The highest ethical standards, personal drive, and passion to pursue challenging goals aggressively while generating enthusiasm and dedication among team members and fostering a positive/collaborative environment.

Compensation and Benefits

Our employees are compensated from a total rewards perspective in many ways for their contributions to our mission, including competitive pay, exceptional health benefits, retirement plans, time off, and a range of recognition and wellness programs. Visit our Benefits at HHMI site to learn more.

Compensation Range

$542,700.00 (minimum) - $678,375.00 (midpoint) - $881,887.50 (maximum)

Pay Type:

Annual

HHMI’s salary structure is developed based on relevant job market data. HHMI considers a candidate's education, previous experiences, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity when making job offers. Typically, a new hire for this position in this location is compensated between the minimum and the midpoint of the salary range.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

HHMI is committed to equal opportunity in employment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, disability, ancestry, genetic status or characteristic, citizenship, or other legally protected status.