Chief Operating Officer - Liberty, NY
With a high level of initiative, judgment, and discretion, the Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County Chief Operating Officer (COO) provides leadership and oversight for assigned administrative, human resources, compliance, governance, and organizational support functions of the Association. This position serves as a senior member of the Administrative Team and works closely with the Executive Director to ensure effective administration, organizational compliance, human resource management, and operational accountability throughout the Association.
The COO serves as a strategic advisor and resource to the Executive Director, management team, supervisors, Board of Directors, and Board Committees. The position provides consultation regarding employment practices, workplace law, personnel matters, risk management, organizational policy, and compliance requirements. The position exercises significant independent judgment in handling confidential and sensitive information and matters affecting the Association.
This position provides oversight of administrative and operational functions through supervision and coordination of staff and systems but does not perform routine operational work directly. The COO ensures alignment of organizational practices with Cornell Cooperative Extension policies, procedures, and applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
An essential component in this role is developing systems and practices that remove barriers to full inclusion in the organization’s activities and promote innovation. This position requires a skill set necessary to develop inclusive and efficient systems that impact both the internal workforce and the Association's community. This position will be responsible for a full range of management duties, including accessing confidential data and completing complex projects and reports. The COO will provide high-level leadership and oversight of IT, HR, facilities, and operations for Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County.
The COO serves as staff liaison to designated Board Committees, supports governance activities, and serves as Executive Director designee or backup as assigned.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, Organizational Leadership, or related field. Associate's Degree and significant progressively responsible administrative experience may be considered.
- Five or more years of progressively responsible leadership experience in administration, human resources, operations oversight, or organizational management.
- Demonstrated knowledge of human resource policies, employment law, personnel administration, and organizational compliance requirements.
- Experience providing guidance and support to managers and supervisors.
- Experience handling confidential personnel matters with professionalism and discretion.
- Ability to exercise independent judgment and make sound decisions in complex situations.
- Strong leadership, organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to supervise staff and coordinate work across multiple departments.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Advanced proficiency with business software applications and HR information systems.
- Ability to work flexible hours, including occasional evenings and weekends, as appropriate.
- Ability to meet travel requirements associated with the position.
Preferred Qualifications
- Knowledge of Cornell Cooperative Extension policies, procedures, and organizational structure.
- Experience working within Cornell Cooperative Extension or another nonprofit organization.
- Professional Human Resources certification (SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR, or equivalent).
- Experience with Workday or comparable Human Resource Information Systems.
- Experience supporting boards of directors and governance committees.
Administrative Responsibilities
Direction & Management - 65%
- Provide consultation and recommendations to the Executive Director and management team regarding workplace law, employment practices, personnel matters, risk management, organizational policies, and ADA/compliance requirements.
- Provide high-level, strategic planning assistance to the Executive Director in carrying out organizational operations.
- Assume the authority of the Executive Director to plan for general administrative oversight of Association operations, in the absence of the Executive Director.
- Work with Executive Director to schedule, coordinate, make arrangements for, and attend meetings and conferences, i.e., Board and Committee meetings and orientation, including agendas, minutes, reports, and other Board of Directors’ events.
- As a senior member of the Association Administrative Team, help guide the Association to research, recommend, and ensure compliance with law/system/local policies and procedures.
- Monitor and guide the effective day-to- day building operation to ensure maintenance of facilities in a safe and effective manner.
- With the Executive Director, take leadership initiative to maintain a professional work atmosphere and handle emergencies.
- Work with appropriate staff to ensure a safe working environment and an updated emergency plan for the Association.
- Provide overall administrative supervision to the Operations and HR Coordinator and Facilities Manager.
- Facilitate and manage, with Executive Director, the hiring and onboarding process, including position descriptions, Workday requisitions, required search forms, serving on search committees, performing reference checks, and issuing offer letters.
- Manage employee recruitment and retention initiatives.
- Assist in the management of conflict resolution and employee grievances.
- Manage Reasonable Accommodations, Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), extended medical leave, and related confidential administration.
- Liaise with appropriate third-party contractors to manage workers’ compensation administration and risk management activities including obtaining and renewing certificates of insurance as necessary.
- Coordinate annual insurance renewals and maintain oversight of organizational insurance documentation and requirements.
- Oversee and manage, with Operations and HR Coordinator confidential files of background checks for staff and volunteers, including motor vehicle record, criminal, educational degrees, etc.
- Conduct confidential personnel investigations and recommend appropriate actions.
- Participate, with Executive Director and supervisors, in corrective action meetings and terminations with employees, including issuing separation documentation and communication.
- Coordinate and execute, with Executive Director and Strategic Engagement Specialist, year-end organizational reporting, business launchpad activities, and other required administrative reporting functions.
- Support and coordinate Association compliance audits and special compliance projects as assigned, including Association accreditation.
- Oversee communications, Association correspondence, publications, and writing projects as assigned.
Coordination/Operation - 30%
- Ensure Human Resource responsibilities are closely coordinated with the Executive Director and other managers.
- Provide confidential administrative support to the Executive Director.
- Update paid benefit time accrual balances for Operations & HR Manager, Facilities Manager, Executive Director direct reports, and other staff as assigned. Share balances quarterly.
- Provide professional development for staff that meet business needs of the Association, including but not limited to: Supervisory best practices, new employee orientation to the Association, annual required trainings, and organizational sustainability workshops as appropriate.
- Coordinate and oversee, with supervisors and Operations and HR Coordinator, the orientation of new employees, including welcome emails, checklists, and pertinent packets of information.
- Coordinate and oversee, with Executive Director, performance review process with input from supervisors.
- Guide and support supervisors and managers regarding employee performance management, coaching, personnel concerns, corrective action, documentation, and workplace practices.
- Maintain the necessary Association confidential administrative files in a manner which follows set standards and allows for easy access by authorized personnel.
- Work with Personnel Committee and Executive Director to update personnel policies and procedures manual as assigned.
- Keep staff informed about types of benefits available, updates, and important resources.
- Serve as records management officer for the Association, including handling requests for information under the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL request).
- Serve as liaison with SBN HR Lead and Cornell HR Services.
- Serve as the Workday HR/Payroll transaction initiator for the Association, with guidance from SBN HR Lead.
- Serve as Workday time tracking system manager, with Finance Manager, overseeing bi- weekly entering, approval and sign off of hours by supervisors and other pay reps; train and provide guidance to staff on usage of the system within the guidelines.
- Review and approve Acumatica accounts payables as needed and acts as an additional check signer to the Association Finance Department, as needed.
- In conjunction with the Executive Director, maintain strong relationships within and externally representing the Association and Cornell University.
- Represent the Executive Director in meetings and communications with community leaders, government officials, partner organizations, and other dignitaries as assigned.
Professional Improvement - 5%
- In cooperation with Supervisor and/or Executive Director, jointly develop and pursue a professional development plan as a means to increase competencies...