American University is a student-centered research institution located in Washington, DC, with highly-ranked schools and colleges, internationally-renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating meaningful change in the world. Learn more about American University

Department

WAMU

Time Type

Full time

Work Modality

Hybrid 02 (On Campus 2 days/Week)

Union

Excluded

Job Description

Summary:

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) reports directly to the General Manager and is responsible for the development, management, and implementation of WAMU’s strategic priorities. The COO will manage WAMU’s day-to-day operations and organization-wide initiatives, and will oversee WAMU’s critical business functions, including finance, human resources, technology, corporate underwriting, facilities, and business administration. The COO will support the expansion and diversification of new audiences, digital innovation, strategic partnerships, and community engagement.

The COO will serve as a member of the executive team in charge of all facets of daily operations at WAMU. The role requires strong project, financial, and human capital management skills and the ability to prioritize in a fast-paced media environment.

The COO will work collaboratively across WAMU, American University partners, and key stakeholders to develop and execute tactical plans that align with strategic objectives, establish and deliver clear operating plan to increase the overall impact of the WAMU brand. This position will oversee and act as an effective steward of an operating budget and financial structure and will seek innovative opportunities to build partnerships, increase revenue and strengthen teams with attention to diversity, inclusion and creativity.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Strategic Leadership & Operations Management
Manage daily operations in furtherance of revenue and business objectives. Build and implement an overall operation plan to advance WAMU’s annual strategies.
Regularly review operational results, through the analysis of KPIs designed to effectively monitor progress of initiatives, proactively identify potential risks, and strategize with executive leadership to translate data to inform organizational decisions.
Establish clearly defined goals and objectives and effectively communicate same through regular meetings and the performance management process. Supports the busy operations and continuous growth of WAMU and maintains systems and processes to ensure smooth functioning of day-to-day work, activities, and station events.
Inspire a culture of excellence that embraces diversity and innovation.
Mentors, coaches and develops staff through professional development; ensures team stays current on emerging business, financial, operational, technological, and human capital management methodologies, and identify training opportunities for the team as appropriate.
Creates timelines for key organizational activities and communicates them to executive team and staff regularly.
Business Administration
Provide oversight for WAMU’s business administration team in partnership with the Managing Director of Finance and Administration.
Financial planning, expense policies/SOPs, strategic budget management/development, accounts payables and receivables, financial reconciliations, forecasts, reports, and audits.
Manages and approves expenditures against budget and within established guidelines. Oversees contracts and procurement.
Technical Operations & Facilities Management
Provide strategic and organizational oversight of WAMU’s technical operations, including IT and broadcast operations (including IT and broadcast operations.
Oversee facilities, including office logistics, and procedures related to the operation of the WAMU facility, including physical security, parking, safety, and business continuity events.
Ensures strong communications and relationships with American University facilities and police departments.
Human Resources
Provide oversight for human resources, including employee relations, talent management, recruitment and retention, and adherence to WAMU’s the collective bargaining agreement and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Sponsorship and Underwriting Oversight
Strategic management of the external sales team responsible for $9M-$10M in annual sponsorship income for WAMU, roughly 30% of total station revenue.
This includes direct management of Market Enginuity’s team lead, providing guidance on sponsorship opportunities, underwriting language/compliance, promotional materials/decks, RFP responses, and strategic direction.
Development and oversight of a sponsored events strategy for market, including partnering with Content leaders on programmatic ideas/concepts, and regular participation in sponsor/agency sales calls.
Point of contact for sales lead on all budget/forecasting reporting, and approver for reforecasts and new budget proposals.
Management of Market Enginuity contract and deliverables.
Partnerships and Relationship Building
Develop and maintain a broad understanding of all WAMU business units. Serve as the lead contributor to WAMU’s general business planning regarding operations, staffing, finance, and technology to continue to build and maintain strong collaborative relationships with a wide range of people within the organization, American University, the community and with other media entities.
Effectively build coalitions through networking and broad influence to help build WAMU’s brands.
Collaborate with Content team and WAMU’s marketing and donor relations staff as well as external partners to ensure timely response and service delivery.
Build and support diverse teams with an understanding of the value of diversity and inclusion to WAMU’s future.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position will manage the Chief Human Resources Officer, Managing Director of Finance and Administration, Director of Broadcast Engineering, and Director, Information Technology.

Competencies

Collaborative Leadership.
Evaluating and Implementing Ideas.
Developing Plans.
Prioritizing and Organizing.
Building and Supporting Teams.
Managing Talent.
Leading and Inspiring People.
Acting Strategically

Position Type/Expected Hours Of Work

Full-Time.
35 hours per week.

Salary Range

$225,000 - $250,000 annually.

Required Education And Experience

Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
10+ years of relevant experience

Preferred Education And Experience

Master's degree or equivalent.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

10+ years of business administration experience, preferably within a large media organization, and/or complex institution which include:
Organizational design and structure.
Legal compliance, including FCC, labor and employment law.
Financial, contract and project management.
Talent acquisition and development with an emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Demonstrated team building experience with an ability to coach, lead and inspire.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Exceptional interpersonal skills.
Demonstrated ability to use data and analytics to inform decision-making.

Benefits

AU offers a competitive benefits package including a 200% matching retirement plan, tuition benefits for full-time staff and their families, several leadership development certificates, and has been recognized by the American Heart Association as a fit-friendly worksite. Click here to learn about American University's unique benefit options.

Other Details

Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful completion of a background check.
Employees in staff positions at American University must deliver their services to the university from either the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, or perform work on-site at the university.
Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
American University is an E-Verify employer.

Current American University Employees

American University current employees must apply through their employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American University, please log into Workday and select the Find Jobs report which will take you to our internal career listings.

Contact Us

For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email theworkline@american.edu.

American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively "Protected Bases") in its programs and activities.

American University

New Jobs

Chief Operating Officer