Chief Operating Officer

 
OVERVIEW

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) will play a critical role at BlackRock Center for the Arts (BRCA) in helping shape and deliver the strategic imperatives of the organization. As a member of the BRCA leadership team, the COO will have the primary responsibility of overseeing and guiding the organizations’ administrative and financial operations and organization of the Rentals, Facilities & Operations, Human Resources, and Patron Services departments. Operational support would extend to Artistic programming and Finance Development instituting organizational norms and policy where applicable. This role works closely with the CEO and leadership team to determine strategies to best fulfill the organization’s mission to provide arts programming and education to all.

The ideal candidate will be committed to BlackRock’s mission to bring performing and visual arts experiences to diverse audiences and providing accessible opportunities to engage in the arts. In addition, the candidate will exemplify a commitment to BlackRock’s mission.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Chief Operations Officer will:

• Serve as second-in-command to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and as a member of the Leadership Team.
• Participate in the strategic planning process and/or support the implementation of the strategic plan.
• Oversee operations ensuring that all business operations including but not limited to Information technology, Human Resources, finance and accounting, facilities, patron services, and rentals are smooth and efficient.
• Establish productive working relationships between and among the Leadership Team, (CEO) and the staff to ensure that BlackRock operates profitably and productively.
• Manage BRCA’s budgets, forecasts, and investments; support the team with accounting (payroll, accounts payable and receivable); build sustainable fiscal practices across the team; prepare all cash flow statements, monthly statements and financial reports, prepare materials for board meetings, coordinate documentation for annual filings and audits.
• Oversee Human Resources and office management; support compensation, benefits and leave administration, secure all personnel records and data, support orientation, off boarding, and organizational norms and processes.
• Provide support for BlackRock’s development and external relations activities, ensuring accurate donor records and letters of acknowledgements are sent timely, provide overall support to obtaining fundraising goals.
• Identify and implement cost-effective ways to deliver high-quality events and programs to our patrons.
• Serve as a public representative of BlackRock, in the absence of the CEO, keeping BlackRock current and an active participant in regional and community events.
• Lead operations with the highest levels of respect, integrity, and compliance, demonstrating clear, direct, and timely communication in all matters.
• Implement, set, as appropriate, and evaluate legally compliant business policies, procedures, and practices.
• Recommend long-range strategic staff management, operational and financial goals. • Evaluate current operational policy, practices, and systems to streamline and upgrade considering cost, efficiency, and client experience.
• Work with the CEO to refine, as needed, an organizational structure that continues to facilitate coordinated work across the organization and enables increasing staff responsibility and autonomy.
• Establish quantitative and qualitative metrics, guidelines, and standards by which the organization’s effectiveness can be evaluated; identifies opportunities for improvement.
• Interact with vendors to create and maintain relationships and negotiate contracts.
• Interacts with the board as needed, including joining board conversations and developing materials for board meetings.
• Provide mentorship and coaching as needed across the organization.
• Other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, AND SKILL REQUIREMENTS

• Degree in Business Administration, Finance, Economics or its equivalent
• 10 to 15 years successful senior leadership experience
• Successful background in process improvement, change leadership and change management
• Commitment to results; “can-do” mindset with emphasis on accountability
• Experience in strengthening motivation and staff leadership
• Effective communication and presentation skills
• Conducts themselves with integrity, credibility, and maintains an impeccable work ethic
• Strong analytical skills and experience interpreting a strategic vision into an operational model
• Ability to collaborate and be flexible in style, with a strong service mentality
• Demonstrated team player who is committed to lifelong learning
• A hands-on manager with integrity and a desire to work in a dynamic, mission-driven environment
• Ability to step back and review the big picture but also willing to get into the detail and work directly on projects as needed
• Flexible and a self-starter; able to multitask while also being highly detail-oriented
• A commitment to BlackRock’s mission to bring performing and visual arts experience to diverse audiences and providing accessible opportunities to engage in the arts

Visit https://www.blackrockcenter.org/careers for more information.