Chief Operating Officer, Climate Adaptation & Resilience

University of Pennsylvania; United States; On-site; USD 95,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Pennsylvania seeks a Deputy Director for the Center for Climate Adaptation & Resilience (CCR) to lead daily operations across Urban Resilience Lab, Corporate Resilience Initiative, and RCAR Core. The role partners with the Faculty Director to secure diverse funding and guide programs from inception through reporting.

The position requires strong fundraising, budgeting, and people leadership skills, with experience managing complex research centers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree (MBA, MPA, MPP, or related field) strongly preferred.
• A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in operations, program management, or fundraising in a research center or similar setting, including at least 3 years supervising staff.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the Center’s chief operating officer, managing daily operations across three units and staff.
• Design and execute the Center’s funding strategy, including foundations, government contracts, corporate partnerships, and philanthropy.
• Manage relationships with government, corporate, foundation, and academic partners and oversee communications and reporting.
• Oversee budgets, grants, subawards, and expenditures; liaise with SP2 finance and research administration.
• Develop and maintain the Center’s strategic plan, track milestones, and support external communications and events.
• Participate in convocation and graduation ceremonies as needed.

Skills

Operations management

Fundraising

Budget management

Team supervision

Communication skills

Project planning

Forecasting

Research administration familiarity

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Project tracking tools

Budget tracking

Job description

University of Pennsylvania seeks a Deputy Director for the Center for Climate Adaptation & Resilience (CCR) to lead daily operations across Urban Resilience Lab, Corporate Resilience Initiative, and RCAR Core. The role partners with the Faculty Director to secure diverse funding and guide programs from inception through reporting.

The position requires strong fundraising, budgeting, and people leadership skills, with experience managing complex research centers.