Chief Operating Officer

Employment Type: Full-Time, Salary, Exempt
Temporary/Permanent: Permanent
Deadline to Apply: This application will remain open until the position is filled.
Rate of Pay: $132,250.00 - $177,675.00 annually, commensurate with experience. This wage band is set and not subject to negotiation.

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Job Purpose

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) provides executive leadership and strategic oversight of Bishop Museum’s core operational functions, including Buildings and Grounds, Safety and Security, Information Technology, Informatics, and Contracting and Legal. Reporting directly to the CEO, the COO ensures these areas operate efficiently, cohesively, and in alignment with institutional priorities. This role is responsible for advancing long-term operational planning, managing capital and infrastructure initiatives, and safeguarding the Museum’s fiscal, legal, and operational integrity. The COO works collaboratively with the CEO and Executive Team to translate strategic goals into effective execution while maintaining a focus on sustainability, risk management, and organizational resilience.

Duties and Responsibilities

Organizational Leadership & Cross-Department Coordination

• Provide executive leadership and oversight of Buildings and Grounds, Safety and Security, Information Technology, Informatics, Contracting, and Legal, ensuring these functions operate cohesively and align with institutional priorities.

• Partner with the CEO and the Executive Team to translate strategic goals into coordinated action across operational areas.

• Support department heads in setting clear objectives, performance measures, and accountability for results within their respective functions.

• Strengthen communication and collaboration across departments to improve workflows, transparency, and decision-making.

• Serve as an active member of the Executive Team, contributing to institutional planning and the advancement of the Museum’s mission and operational excellence.

Operational Oversight & Infrastructure Management

• Provide executive oversight of Museum operations related to facilities, safety, and campus infrastructure, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and standards.

• Partner with the Director of Buildings, Grounds, Safety & Security to set strategic goals, monitor performance, and ensure compliance with regulatory and safety requirements.

• Serve as executive lead for the Museum’s capital improvement and campus master plans, with responsibility for contracting, budgeting, and high-level project management.

• Oversee vendor relationships and procurement processes for facilities and construction projects, ensuring fiscal accountability and adherence to state and institutional requirements.

• Maintain a network of professional contacts to support legal, architectural, engineering, and construction advisement as needed.

Strategic Planning & Execution

• Lead institution-wide operational planning efforts that strengthen the Museum’s infrastructure, technology, and administrative systems in alignment with its strategic plan.

• Collaborate with the Directors of Information Technology and Informatics to ensure technology and data initiatives are integrated, sustainable, and responsive to organizational priorities.

• Translate strategic goals into actionable operational plans with clear milestones, accountability measures, and fiscal discipline.

• Anticipate institutional needs and identify opportunities to enhance efficiency, innovation, and long-term sustainability through cross-department collaboration.

• Partner with the CEO and executive leadership to ensure the Museum’s operational capacity supports growth, public engagement, and mission delivery.

Fiscal Stewardship & Contract Management

• Oversee operational budgets for assigned departments, ensuring fiscal discipline, transparency, and alignment with institutional priorities.

• Supervise the Legal and Contract Specialist, ensuring timely, compliant preparation and management of all institutional contracts, agreements, and governance documents.

• Provide primary oversight for contracts related to Buildings and Grounds, Safety, Security, IT, Informatics, Contracting and Legal, and work closely with the Legal and Contract Specialist who manages centralized tracking and contract consistency Museum wide. Collaborate with Vice Presidents and department leaders to ensure their contracts in their divisions are properly reviewed and authorized.

• Review and approve operational expenditures and contracts within delegated authority; consult with the CEO on larger commitments or complex legal matters.

• Establish and maintain efficient systems for contract tracking, procurement, and vendor management to safeguard the Museum’s financial and legal interests.

• Collaborate with Accounting and the CEO to align operational planning, budgeting, and reporting with institutional strategy and compliance standards.

Stakeholder Relations & Risk Management

• Serve as the primary operational liaison for governance, legal, and compliance matters, working closely with the CEO and Legal and Contract Specialist to ensure institutional integrity.

• Maintain positive working relationships with key external stakeholders, including state agencies, contractors, and community partners, particularly in support of capital and operational initiatives.

• Anticipate and address emerging operational issues or workplace concerns before escalation, collaborating with HR and the CEO as appropriate.

• Oversee institutional risk management practices across areas such as safety, security, contracting, and data protection to ensure regulatory and policy compliance.

• Provide executive guidance on matters that may impact the Museum’s reputation, financial stability, or public trust.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, operations management, or a related field.

• Ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in operations, administration, or facilities management, including at least five (5) years in a senior leadership or executive role.

• Demonstrated experience managing multi-department operations that include facilities, technology, legal/contracting, or infrastructure oversight.

• Proven ability to lead strategic planning, project management, and process improvement initiatives in a complex organizational environment.

• Strong financial acumen with experience developing and managing budgets, contracts, and vendor relationships.

• Demonstrated success fostering collaboration and accountability across diverse teams and departments.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly to executive leadership, boards, and external stakeholders.

• Commitment to ethical leadership, institutional integrity, and advancing the mission and values of Bishop Museum.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in business administration, public administration, or a related field.

• Experience in the nonprofit, museum, higher education, or government sectors.

• Knowledge of Hawai‘i state procurement, capital improvement processes, and compliance requirements.

• Familiarity with information technology systems management, data governance, or digital infrastructure planning.

• Experience overseeing or collaborating with legal counsel on contract development, risk management, or regulatory compliance.

• Established professional network within Hawai‘i’s facilities, construction, or legal communities.

Other Requirements

• Must reside on the island of O?ahu and be available for on-site leadership and coordination of Museum operations.

• Must maintain the ability to travel independently between Museum facilities, partner sites, and meetings, including possession of a valid driver’s license if driving is required.

• Must be willing to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends, to meet the needs of the organization and respond to operational priorities.

Direct Reports

Legal and Contract Specialist

Director of Buildings, Grounds, Safety, and Security

Director of Information Technology

Director of Informatics

External Contractors

Working Conditions

The Chief Operating Officer works primarily in an office environment with frequent on-site engagement across the Museum’s campus and facilities. The position requires regular interaction with staff, vendors, contractors, and external partners. Work may occasionally be performed in non-office settings such as collection areas, construction zones, or public spaces. This role operates under dynamic conditions that may include urgent operational needs, project deadlines, or emergency response situations. The COO also serves as part of the Museum’s emergency response and incident command team, supporting preparedness and coordinated action during emergencies. Flexibility in scheduling is required, including evenings and weekends, to meet the needs of the organization.

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, and walk throughout Museum facilities. The role occasionally requires bending, reaching, or carrying materials related to site inspections or project walkthroughs. The employee must be able to communicate effectively in person and electronically, and to travel independently between Museum facilities and partner sites. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

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Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by incumbents assigned to this job. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all the responsibilities, duties and skills required. The incumbent may be expected to perform other duties as assigned.

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please contact us at hr@bishopmuseum.org or 808-848-4107 if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship or immigration status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected status.

Salary : $132,250 - $177,675