Chief Operating Officer

Shaker Heights, Ohio, Position Overview:

Hathaway Brown School seeks a hands-on Chief Operating Officer to lead campus, technology, safety, and operational services across our 16-acre campus. The COO joins at a moment of active transition, with technology leadership recently refreshed and a campus portfolio that calls for both immediate attention and long-range planning. As an executive peer of the Chief Financial and Strategy Officer (CFSO), the COO shares joint accountability for major capital, technology, and risk decisions, while owning operational execution and team performance. Key Responsibilities:

Campus & Capital Projects: Oversee facilities, maintenance, grounds, utilities, fleet, and space use through the Director of Facilities; serve as executive owner of construction and renovation projects; set campus renewal priorities with the CFSO and Head of School; lead energy and sustainability efforts.

Safety & Compliance: Lead physical security, emergency preparedness, and continuity planning; partner with the Head of School on crisis response; own operational compliance across buildings, fire and life safety, pools, transportation, food service, and contractors.

Technology: Oversee the technology leader and team; drive multiyear planning, lifecycle replacement, cybersecurity, disaster recovery, and data governance; partner with academic leaders on instructional technology.

Auxiliary Services: Hold executive accountability for dining, transportation, rentals, summer and extended-day operations, events, and aquatics; set service standards and manage vendor performance.

Leadership & Budgets: Develop leaders of assigned functions; manage operating and capital budgets and procurement; resolve cross-divisional issues with clarity; build relationships with municipal officials, law enforcement, neighbors, and internal leaders; support the Board's Building and Grounds Committee with candid reporting.

Substantial experience leading multidisciplinary operations (facilities, technology, safety, or institutional services) in a school, higher education, nonprofit, or comparable setting Proven record in capital projects, vendor management, budgets, and building reliable service systems Familiarity with CMMS or work order systems (e.g., Incident IQ, Brightly, FMX) Ability to hold a technology team accountable, with or without a technical background Financial fluency, sound judgment, and strong people leadership with faculty, families, trustees, and external partners Bachelor's degree or equivalent leadership experience; advanced degree or credential preferred Ability to lift up to 50 lbs occasionally and move throughout campus; reasonable accommodations available