Chief Operating Officer

The Pacific Institute is one of the world's leading independent nonprofits conducting research to create a healthier planet and sustainable communities. Based in Oakland, California, we conduct interdisciplinary research and partner with stakeholders to produce solutions that advance environmental protection, economic development, and social equity--in California, nationally, and internationally. We work to change policy and find real-world solutions to problems like water shortages, habitat destruction, global warming, and environmental injustice.

Since our founding in 1987, the Pacific Institute has become a locus for independent, innovative thinking that cuts across traditional areas of study, helping us make connections and bring opposing groups together. The result is effective, actionable solutions addressing issues in the fields of freshwater resources, climate change, environmental justice, and globalization. See www.pacinst.org for more detail on our programs, publications, and organization.

Position Overview:

The Pacific Institute seeks a highly talented and experienced executive as its financial and administrative leader to serve as Chief Operating Officer. As a member of the executive team reporting to the President, the Chief Operating Officer will be a strategic thought partner contributing to the overall decision-making for the organization while providing effective leadership for finance and accounting, business planning and budgeting, communications, program support, IT, human resources, facilities, and support operations. The position reports to the President.

Supervises: Finance Associate, Administrative Assistant(s), Communications Team, Information Technology Support, and potentially a development team.

Responsibilities:

General Administration:

• Manage administration, finance, communications, facilities, and administrative support for staff;
• Act as a team leader in the management of the Institute;
• Coordinate the Institute's strategic planning process including an annual review to ensure its relevance;
• Maintain and shepherd the development of operational policies that govern the smooth and efficient day-to-day work of the Institute;
• Oversee the information technology, databases, payroll, facilities, and general support functions of the Institute;
• Ensure that general administrative and support functions are cost-effective and managed with a perspective that supports employee effectiveness and morale;
• Develop and implement a Project Management System that provides Institute-wide information and coordination across its many projects.

Financial Management:

• Develop, recommend, and implement strategies to meet the financial objectives established by the Board of Directors, the President, and the Program Directors;
• Oversee the development of all financial plans, budgets, forecasts, and projections; ensure they support program requirements and objectives; ensure the accuracy of all financial information;
• Monitor and provide regular and timely financial reports to the President and Program Directors (management team);
• Oversee the annual budgeting and long-range forecasting processes, and work closely with the management team to develop strategies for improving financial performance and ensuring cost-efficiency;
• Oversee organizational cash flow and forecasting; ensure that financial data and cash flow are steady and support operational requirements;
• Understand contract and grant terms, conditions, requirements, and legal implications; keep informed of contract changes that affect financial performance;
• Understand and ensure compliance with international, federal, state, and local regulations governing government grants and contracts;
• Work with the management team to develop complementary budgets for funding proposals, so as to improve operation efficiencies;
• Ensure compliance with all funding agreements, including timely submission of all reports and data as required and requested by funders;
• Ensure the adequacy of fiscal controls in accordance with GAAP standards, contract requirements, and IRS and California non-profit agency laws;
• Ensure compliance with all legal and regulatory reporting requirements, including timely payment of all taxes and submissions of all tax information returns;
• Oversee the negotiation and administration of all office leases and contracts;
• Recommend and manage relationships with banks, investment advisors, insurance brokers, and other business partners.

Board Interaction:

• Assist the President in providing support to Board of Directors including preparing and presenting up-to-date financial information;
• Support the Board's Audit Committee in carrying out their responsibilities. Provide staff support for the Audit Committee. Oversee the annual audit process.

Program Support:

• Work with the President to ensure that the programs of the Institute are implemented in an effective and efficient process;
• Be responsible for developing and continuing a teamwork relationship between the programs and finance, through such actions as:
  ?Providing program administrative support to the Program Directors;
  ?Developing policies and procedures for Finance working with the Institute's programs;
  ?Holding regular meetings with Program Directors to review program budgets, administrative needs, forecasts, and Institute priorities.

Human Resources:

• Ensure that the organization has the expertise required in technology, human resources, and operations to effectively support its mission, programs, and operations currently and with a long-term perspective;
• Ensure compliance with state and federal laws regarding employment requirements including benefits, health insurance, vacation accrual;
• Provide oversight for the variety of human resource issues, including management, hiring, training, and evaluations;
• Develop, assist in the implementation of, and ensure compliance with Institute organizational and personnel policies;
• Oversee staff development and the annual performance evaluation processes as well as orientation for new staff members.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Broad financial, operations, administration, and management experience;
• 8+ years of experience in finance and accounting; minimum of 5 years experience in senior-level management with strategic responsibilities;
• A successful track record in setting priorities; excellent analytic and quantitative skills; keen organization and problem-solving skills which support and enable sound decision making;
• Ability to translate financial concepts to, and to effectively collaborate with, programmatic and fundraising colleagues;
• Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles;
• Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills with an ability to prioritize, negotiate, and work with a variety of internal and external partners;
• Good interpersonal skills;
• Enjoy working as part of a team;
• Strong commitment to the professional development of staff.

Preferred:

• Experience with management in the non-profit sector;
• Experience with non-profit accounting and international contracting highly preferred;
• Experience with a research organization or in the environmental field;
• Graduate degree in Organizational Development, Non-profit/Business Administration, or a comparable field.

Compensation: Compensation will be commensurate with experience. The Pacific Institute offers a generous package of benefits including health, dental coverage, and retirement.

Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted until August 8, 2012

To Apply:

Please send a cover letter (in a separate file), résumé, and contact information for 3 references. No phone calls or mail, please.

We regret that we will be able to contact only the short-listed candidates.

The Pacific Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer. People from diverse backgrounds of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, income, age, disability, or sexual orientation are strongly encouraged to apply.