Chief Operating Officer (4653)

California State Personnel Board Specification

Salary Information

Description

Under the general direction of the Chief Executive Officer or Department Director, the Chief Operating Officer oversees and is ultimately accountable for all strategic initiatives, large scale efforts, and internal operations. The Chief Operating Officer has broad oversight responsibilities focused on ensuring continuity, including succession planning preparedness and enterprise risk management. As the senior executive responsible for benefits, the Chief Operating Officer ensures that all  business operations are cohesive, efficient and effective to carry out the organization's mission and strategic objectives. The Chief Operating Officer may act in absence of the Chief Executive Officer or Department Director.

This position develops, recommends and implements policies, strategies, and initiatives in support of the organization's strategic plan and fiduciary responsibility; provides a strong presence, valued information and critical assistance to the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, or Department Director; counsels and advises the Board, Executive Officer, or Department Director on sensitive and critical operational issues, the development and implementation of significant policy matters, legislatively mandated changes, and strategies, and their impacts on the organization; provides top level oversight of the strategic initiatives, large scale efforts, and programs; oversees and manages the organization's business operations; directs critical business and program operations;  ensures the delivery of initiatives and operations related to the organization's services; manages reviews of the organization's operational performance; oversees the establishment and monitoring of internal controls that ensure the accurate and timely delivery of services; oversee the establishment of audit mechanisms that test internal controls to ensure compliance with performance objectives, policies, compliance procedures, and audit findings; evaluates and advises on the impact of long-range planning, introduction of new programs and strategies, new regulatory actions, and new legislation and determines need for new or updated policies; assures the organization's programs operate in a prudent, transparent, efficient, ethical, and accountable manner.

This position also develops, maintains, and drives the organization's marketing, education, branding, and enterprise placement in California and nationwide; develops communication and marketing strategy; identifies, forecasts, and mitigates reputational, political, and organizational risks and leads enterprise-wide risk management efforts; leads continuous improvement and change initiatives, identifies new strategies, technologies, and trends; ensures effective management and business processes are in place at all levels of the organization; oversees enterprise information technology functions; manages administrative functions including contracts and procurement, facilities operations, safety and security, and asset risk management services; oversees human resources, employee and labor relations, workforce strategies and succession planning; ensures the organization's commitment to equal employment opportunity, diversity and inclusion, and compliance with EEO laws; coordinates organizational development and business continuity; guides audit services.

Additionally, this position serves as a member of the Executive Staff and participates in program and policy direction, planning and developing the organization's Strategic Plan and/or Annual Report. Provides reports, expert consultation and advice to the Board, Chief Executive Officer, Department Director, and Executive Staff on the most complex, sensitive and critical program and operational issues.  Represents the organization to a wide variety of external parties, including the Governor's Office, the legislature, state agencies, compliance agencies, business and community partners, constituent groups, and other  stakeholders.

Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of: All aspects of administration and business operations of the organization; product and plan development; principles of the organization's operations and business structure; laws governing and administered by the organization; functions and organization of the California State government, the legislature, and the executive branch; risks facing the organization, including financial, compliance, legal, regulatory, security, operational, reputational, political and strategic risks; functions and procedures involved in risk management; principles of policy formulation; strategic planning, project management, performance measurement, and best practices for complex organizations; financial and business operation information systems; leadership techniques, and coordination of people, resources, and principles and practices of supervision, including the responsibility for promoting equal opportunity in hiring and employee development and promotion, and for maintaining a safe work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.

Ability to: Direct all aspects of the daily program operations for the organization; direct the work of multi-disciplinary staff engaged in program operations, service delivery, enterprise business administrative functions, and risk management; provides oversight of the organization's strategic initiatives; envision, develop and deploy new programs and product offerings to meet evolving needs of clients, customers or members; think strategically and proactively taking into consideration industry trends, future needs, challenges and opportunities for the organization; formulate, establish and implement policies, procedures and standards for all operational and administrative functions; provides guidance to the Board, Chief Executive Officer, or Department Director; inspire confidence and establish credibility with the Board, Chief Executive Officer/Department Director, staff, legislators, government officials, and stakeholders; gather and analyze a broad range of business, financial, and economic related information and synthesize it into concise and coherent conclusions and recommendations; decipher, analyze, and rationally communicate complex concepts and disparate data related to the organization's and business activities; maintain up-to-date knowledge of economic, investment, political and social issues and trends affecting the organization's programs and use that knowledge to develop innovative strategies; select, manage, and evaluate the work of external consultants; interact with public and private sector entities to carryout operational and administrative activities of the organization; establish and maintain cooperative relationships with those contacted in the course of work; communicate effectively with individuals across a broad spectrum of disciplines and promote cross-functional collaboration efforts; interact with individuals at all levels, including board members, staff at a variety of levels, and political and public officials and gain their confidence; appear before various committees and boards; lead and motivate staff, while effectively promoting equal opportunity in employment and maintaining a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment; provide expert consultation to the Board and executive management on matters within assigned areas of responsibilities, represent the organization with a variety of contacts, including the Governor's Office and legislature, other state agencies, compliance agencies and other internal and external stakeholders.

Minimum Qualifications

Three years of experience as a business operations leader planning and directing the work of multi-disciplinary staff engaged in the management of administrative and program operation functions within a public, private or non-governmental organization, and

Equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree.

(Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.)

Preferred or Desirable Qualifications

Acts in a professional manner and demonstrates a high degree of integrity, honesty, and ethical behavior; demonstrates openness and trust; establishes and builds rapport by modeling values-based behaviors; exhibits strong interpersonal and mentoring skills, promotes teamwork and cross-functional collaboration and communication in support of the organization's strategic goals; and promotes a high performance culture where employees are encouraged and enabled to perform to their greatest potential.

All employees must have general qualifications as described by California Code of Regulations, title 2, section 172.

Class History