The COO serves as part of SAM’s Senior Leadership team advocating and supporting the institution’s mission, vision, and values setting institutional goals above departmental goals. They are a reliable, valued, and trusted senior leader who provides thoughtful analysis, thinks strategically and wholistically, and engages with staff at all levels of the organization. The COO provides oversight and leadership to the Operations division, comprised of the Facilities, Security, and Technology Departments. Lead business operation functions of the museum, including facilities, engineering, security, IT, and AV and is responsible for managing operations at all three museum sites as well as real estate interests. The ideal candidate thrives at the intersection of culture and compliance, drawing on organizational mission and values to design and deliver an exceptional guest and employee experience.
This role is charged with developing and implementing a dynamic vision and operating plan for the Operations Division that enhances the visitor, employee, volunteer, and community experience while building resilience, quality and accountability within museum systems. The COO should develop strategic plans that inspire employees, engage community and support museum goals and ensure operations of the three museum sites are foundationally strong and operate as a well-oiled machine of people, policies, and infrastructure while integrating operations within the wider goals of the institution, building strong intradepartmental working relationships to help balance museum priorities. This role provides leadership and mentoring to a large team overseen by three direct reports: Director of Facilities, Director of Security, and Director of Technology.
- Directly lead efforts for the creation of annual division operating, capital, and compensation budgets, monitor and track performance towards these targets, and adjust when necessary
- Plan for capital projects across all three departments, ensuring appropriate operational design considerations and consistency of infrastructure components across all sites
- Be a visible and collaborative leader in the local Seattle community; develop and support reciprocal relationships with key stakeholders and partners
- Oversee Emergency Operations, Infectious Disease and Pandemic Response, and Business Continuity plans, and implement them when required
- Participate in the Safety Committee, representing best practices and implementing safety programs
- Oversee facilities, engineering, office services, and environmental services management at all three sites, including daily and preventive maintenance programs, long-term maintenance programs and facility planning
- Develop long-term capital requirements for all locations
- Maintain a 24/7 security operation, including all staffing and related technology support
- Develop and maintain security protocols for all sites, hire and train staff, oversee disaster preparedness and coordinate activities across sites as well as with appropriate external parties
- Assist with CBA administration, serve as a key member of the negotiation team for CBA renewal
- Provide a comprehensive technology infrastructure supporting business operations
- Develop and implement policies, staying abreast of new and emerging technologies
- Support AV functions across internal and external programmatic needs
- Serve on Board Committees as assigned
- Represent museum at professional gatherings, and sector, civic, and cultural events
- Contribute to an institutional focus of delivering exceptional, welcoming, and inclusive customer service—creating positive, meaningful experiences for all visitors, every time
- Participate in institutional learning opportunities to grow our collective understanding and integration of antiracism, cultural competency, and equity values into SAM’s work
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience
- Twelve years directly related work experience including responsibility for providing broad oversight of financial, administrative and operations management, including eight years in a people management capacity
- Demonstrated leadership and experience in managing planning and decision-making processes
- Demonstrated ability to present clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations and the ability to conduct small & large group discussions
- Negotiation, project management, and problem-solving skills
- Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with Board members, donors, executives, management, employees, and the public
- Ability to motivate teams and simultaneously oversee several projects
- Strong track record in exercising sound, timely judgment
- Proactive, strategic, and professional verbal and written communication, with an ability to tailor communications according to audience
- Strong management and supervisory skills; ability to motivate teams and simultaneously manage several projects
- Successfully assess priorities and work well with deadlines, exceptional time management, problem solving, and analytical skills
- Capacity to work with high levels of ambiguity or difficult situations
- Exercise discretion in maintaining confidentiality of sensitive information
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Zoom, Asana, Slack and internet-based research
- Ability to pass and maintain security background check clearance
- Experience in the non-profit sector, preferably arts & culture
- Experience negotiating and implementing collective bargaining agreements
What We Do
For over 90 years, the Seattle Art Museum (SAM) has been a leading visual arts institution in the Pacific Northwest. Through its three locations — the Seattle Art Museum in downtown Seattle, the Seattle Asian Art Museum in Volunteer Park, and the Olympic Sculpture Park on the downtown waterfront — SAM connects art to life through special exhibitions, educational programs, and installations drawn from its collection of approximately 25,000 objects from more than 140 cultures. SAM Social Media Policy: bit.ly/SAMSocialMediaPolicy.
