Chief Operating Officer

TITLE:                                   Chief Operating Officer 

DEPARTMENT:                  Executive Office

LOCATION:                         New York, NY

REPORTS TO:                     President & CEO 

JOB CLASSIFICATION:   Exempt

About The Paley Center for Media

The Paley Center for Media is the world’s leading 501 (c)(3) nonprofit cultural institution whose mission is to preserve our media history and to explore media’s powerful shaping influence on our culture.

The Paley Center for Media owns the iconic, New York Paley Museum where media, sports, gaming, tech, and entertainment come together, and during the year, produces unmatched programs for the public and industry.

On the public side, programs celebrate the very best of television, digital content, and interactive entertainment. On the industry side, the Paley Center convenes the most influential business leaders to explore and debate the most critical issues and opportunities within the industry while also fostering a sense of community amongst peers. Through its respected Paley Impact series, programs educate and explore how media impacts culture and shapes public discourse on important societal issues.

At the heart of the Paley Center sits the Paley Archive, which represents the largest public collection of its kind and is often cited as a national treasure, with over 160,000 programs spanning more than 100 years. This collection also serves as an incredible resource for K-12 educators and students nationwide that are served through its respected education classes.

Previously known as The Museum of Television & Radio, the Paley Center was founded in 1975 by William S. Paley, a pioneering innovator in the industry. For more information, please visit paleycenter.org.

Scope 

Reporting to the President & CEO, the Chief Operating Officer (“COO”) serves as the organization’s senior operating executive, with organization-wide responsibility for operational performance, organizational effectiveness, and execution of the strategic plan.

The COO partners closely with the President & CEO and the Executive Team to translate strategic priorities into operational plans, ensure disciplined execution, and drive alignment across departments. The COO oversees performance, processes, and outcomes – including accountability for meeting revenue targets – ensuring that Paley operates efficiently, scales effectively, and delivers results.

As a member of the Executive Team, the COO provides organization-wide leadership, ensures senior leaders operate in concert toward shared goals, and sets clear expectations for a high-performance culture rooted in professionalism and accountability.

Responsibilities 

• Collaborate closely with the President & CEO to operationalize goals and priorities, ensuring alignment across the organization
• Ensure departments remain on track to meet revenue targets, performance goals, and key operational KPIs, providing guidance and recommendations when results fall short of expectations
• Establish and lead the organization’s operating cadence, progress tracking, and performance accountability across departments
• Optimize the use of staff time, resources, and organizational capacity to deliver measurable results within defined timelines
• Function as project manager to ensure the successful progression of Paley programs, special projects, and organizational initiatives, navigating intricate details to preclude any oversights and ensure cohesive and successful outcomes
• Prepare for and lead key meetings to ensure alignment, decision-making, and follow-through, with clear communication to stakeholders
• Facilitate meetings, maintain post-meeting debriefs, communicate to relevant stakeholders, and manage action items and follow-up
• Develop and implement best practices to streamline workflows and enhance overall organizational performance that eliminates “re-inventing the wheel”
• Partner with the President & CEO to help determine and prioritize decisions, manage time, prepare materials and brainstorm approaches
• Drive decision-making, prioritization, and problem-solving
• Represent Paley internally and externally as a senior leader and ambassador, including engagement in industry and community settings
• Engage as a Paley Ambassador for social media initiatives by actively sharing Paley’s social media posts within one’s networks, to amplify the organization’s reach and foster community engagement
• Participate in additional initiatives and responsibilities as needed to support Paley’s mission and strategic objectives

Core Competencies

Our successful employees meet the following criteria:

• Highly organized with proven ability to meet deadlines and budgets
• Outstanding leadership skills and ability to lead cross functional teams
• Ability to take ownership of all tasks and manage simultaneously
• Outstanding written and verbal communication and time management skills
• Positive and professional demeanor with excellent interpersonal, administrative, and managerial skills
• Ability to handle and prioritize multiple tasks while maintaining attention to detail
• Resourcefulness, creativity, strong-problem solving, and research skills

Requirements 

• Proven experience as a Chief Operating Officer, or equivalent senior executive position, with 20 years’ experience in media, sports, gaming, tech, music, or entertainment industries with deep understanding of these sectors
• Strong business acumen and financial accountability, with demonstrated ability to drive revenue growth, oversee budgets and optimize operational efficiency
• Exceptional executive presence marked by discretion, sound judgment, resilience, adaptability, and polished, personable demeanor
• Deep understanding of AI, with a proven track record of successful application in operations and management initiatives, with a demonstrated commitment to continuous learning and staying at the forefront of AI and other emerging technologies, platforms, and innovations
• Proven track record in developing and executing organization-wide strategies that drive business results and strengthen organizational performance
• Prior experience in an executive-level operating role with organization-wide responsibility and a demonstrated ability to lead, manage, and mentor senior-level teams
• Highly proactive, collaborative, and results-oriented leadership style
• Expertise in data analytics, technology platforms, and performance measurement
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving environment while maintaining focus and composure
• Strong work ethic and preference for working in person as part of a high-energy, collaborative office culture
• Availability to support Paley programs, events, and initiatives as needed
• Bachelor’s degree in business, management, or a related field, MBA preferred
• Bilingual fluency in Spanish a plus

Total Compensation Range:  $200,000 - $300,000

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The Paley Center for Media maintains a strong policy of equal opportunity in employment.  It is our objective to recruit, hire, and retain the most qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation or identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.  Our equal employment philosophy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, compensation, benefits, training, promotions, transfers, job benefits, and terminations.

Salary : $200,000 - $300,000