Chief Operating Officer

Title/Role: Chief Operating Officer (Executive Level)

Location/Base: Negotiable

About The Business Network for Offshore Wind

The Business Network for Offshore Wind is a nonprofit, educational organization with a mission to develop the offshore wind renewable energy industry and its supply chain. The Network partners with industry and government to build an innovative supply chain that will create and sustain jobs, benefiting local economies and ensuring a cost-effective clean energy portfolio. We advance this through collaboration, education, and innovation, bringing together global developers, policymakers, academia, and leading experts to grow this new and vital offshore wind industry that provides a practical solution to climate change and creates well-paying jobs.

Job Description: The Network is hiring for a Chief Operating Officer to oversee the Network’s operational growth and evolution in an intensive, hypercompetitive, and dynamic marketplace. Reporting directly to the President & Chief Executive Officer (President/CEO), the Chief Operating Officer (COO) is responsible for delivering results from day-to-day to quarter-to-quarter supporting the President/CEO to focus on the strategic, long-term challenges the Network faces. The COO provides an integral role acting as an adviser, strategist, and implementer, ensuring that all activities across the Network move forward effectively and efficiently as the offshore wind industry scales exponentially. S/he will manage all personnel, oversee key initiatives, and ensure deadlines are met and outcomes achieved. In the event of the President/CEO’s absence, the COO will act in alignment with Network’s Mission and Vision. This position serves as an internal leader and supports the President/CEO in the development of effective leadership and management practices that set the highest acceptable standards in business efficiency and fiscal health to create and foster an organizational culture ensuring the long-term functionality and sustainability of the Network.

Essential Responsibilities include:

Operations & Management (~70%):

• Lead and provide executive oversight for day-to-day operational functions of the Networking including all programs and their respective Senior/Vice Presidents, Directors, and Managers

• Supervise the human resource cycle including recruitment and internal employee review processes

• Manage and achieve the annual fiscal year budget planning process including budget design and development with Network personnel, President/CEO, and Board of Directors including reviews and approvals

• Work with Chief Financial Officer (CFO or contract certified public accountant) to manage all Network revenue generators and related budget management, cash flow, and monthly to quarterly review processes, grant deliverables and work plans, and related systems and procedures

• Oversee external accountants and auditors to ensure that the Network fulfills its audit and filing obligations

• Coordinate legal issues and work with Network counsel, especially in the areas of human resources, 501(c)(3) compliance, nonprofit advocacy, Board governance, trademarks and intellectual property, Network contracts and related negotiations

• Lead multi-disciplinary teams to implement strategic initiatives and enterprise-wide projects

• Oversee all programs and projects with their respective Senior/Vice Presidents, Directors, and Managers designing and improving team processes to ensure informed, transparent, and timely decision-making

• Establish and optimize project management processes, tools, and templates to strengthen project management capabilities throughout the Network

• Maintain the Network’s practice of setting goals and metrics to consistently evaluate programs, projects, products, and services, i.e. Network’s monthly quad chart reporting system and activity debrief documents so that a learning culture evolves

• Ensure program, project, and product leads conduct post-activity reviews as well as review and implement needed improvements to workflows, processes, and procedures; coach personnel accordingly

• Drive coordination and clarity across program initiatives to ensure cohesion, progress towards ambitious goals, and high-quality programming; Identify, address, and resolve barriers to ensure effective implementation within and across teams

• Evaluate and strengthen the efficiency of Network operating procedures on a regular basis according to organizational objectives; Apply improvements and create new operating procedures when necessary

• Evaluate overall Network operational performance by gathering, analyzing, and interpreting data and metrics

• Work with personnel to document and operationalize standard operating procedures (based on evaluation and personnel feedback/input) to improve efficiencies

Organization Development & Strategic Planning (~30%):

• In consultation with the Network’s President/CEO, provide reports to and serve as a resource for the Board of Directors on operational, legal, organizational development, and governance issues

• Advise the President/CEO and other members of senior management on financial planning, budgeting, personnel, and operational policy matters; Maintain continuous lines of communication, keeping the President/CEO and other senior leaders informed of all critical issues; Contribute to the development of the Network's strategic goals, objectives, and performance metrics and play a senior leadership role in the organization's overall management

• Review organizational policies; Revise and develop new polices when necessary; Promote organization policy implementation

• Ensure Network is incorporating and operationalizing Maryland Nonprofit Standard of Excellence process and procedures

• Lead other organization-wide initiatives as they emerge and evolve

Leadership:

• Promote a culture of high performance, continuous improvement, learning, responsive service, and a commitment to excellence

• Model helpful and effective leadership values that advance the Network’s mission and strategic objectives

• Help design, align, prioritize, and operationalize organizational tactics, goals at team and individual levels

• Help personnel incorporate organizational ecosystem-wide infrastructure (business systems, management, leadership, culture) elements and opportunities in planning, implementation, evaluation, and learning

• Facilitate information across the Network’s organizational and communications frameworks

• Manage and escalate employee relations challenges; monitor and track employee performance; provide regular, helpful, and actionable feedback to direct reports

To be successful in this role the qualified candidate will need:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience in relevant field (government, business administration, business development, operations, technology, communications, non-profit management, offshore wind, energy); Master’s degree a plus

• At least 10 years of professional experience with steadily increasing job responsibilities

• Experience in renewable energy, regulatory environments, and government affairs/relations strongly preferred

• Experience in diverse multi-level ecosystem with stakeholder outreach and engagement

• Strong emotional intelligence

• Proven ability to work with diverse teams, audiences, and stakeholders, including excellent teamwork, relationship building, customer service, and strong facilitation skills

Strong project management skills:

• Ability to create and manage multi-year strategic plans to scale operational functions

• Ability to think strategically and act tactically with a proven entrepreneur mindset

• Ability to navigate a fast-paced environment and balance responding to immediate opportunities while maintaining a strategic, long-term perspective with effective project management

• Excellent organization, project management, time management, and follow-up skills

• Proactive project management; unafraid of holding peers, managers accountable

• Not afraid of details and can weigh in on big picture strategy

• Ability to demonstrate an appropriate sense of urgency

• Ability to mentor others

Intrapersonal skills:

• Hyper attention to detail

• Clear and concise written, verbal and presentation skills

• Excellent communication, relationship-building, and customer service skills and ability to work towards a common vision with various partners

• A high bar for excellence and ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-change organization

• Ability to collaborate effectively with senior and executive leaders across international, national, and local levels

• Ability to navigate volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity

• Ability to maintain complete confidentiality at all times

Benefits and Compensation:

The salary range for this position is commensurable with experience. For full-time, benefit eligible employees, the Network offers an excellent range of benefits including:

• Medical Insurance

• Dental and Vision Benefits

• Employee Life Insurance

• Employee AD&D

• Employee Short Term Disability

• Employee Long Term Disability

• Paid Vacation

• Paid Sick Leave

• Personal Days

• Paid Holidays

• 401K Plan

How to apply:

To apply for this role, please submit a one-page cover letter with a resume to Jen Hess (jen@offshorewindus.org) stating your qualifications and passionate interest in this role. The Business Network for Offshore Wind is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.