Chief Operations Officer

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Canal District (MA)

On-site

USD 136,000 - 171,000

Full time

3 days ago

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Job summary

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts invites applications for a Chief Operations Officer at the Cannabis Control Commission in Worcester. You will oversee day‑to‑day operations, align activities with statutory requirements, and drive organizational transformation to achieve sustainable growth.

Reporting to the Executive Director, you will lead strategic initiatives, establish performance standards, and build a high‑performing cross‑functional team, ensuring efficient operations, data‑driven

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in business administration or related field (Master's preferred).
7-10 years of experience leading operational and strategic functions in fast-paced environments.
Supervisory experience and strong stakeholder relations in public/regulated sectors.

Responsibilities

Develop, establish, and direct execution of operating policies.
Foster innovative approaches to operations with emphasis on data utilization, planning and communication.
Implement a strategic plan for rapid scaling of operational capacity with quality/efficiency standards.
Lead development and standardization of day-to-day operational systems and evaluate results.
Collaborate with departments to interpret data and submit responsive action plans.
Oversee project management team advancing key initiatives.
Establish KPIs and standards driving operational excellence and mission goals.
Build cross-functional project management team and develop staff.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Public sector management

Data-driven planning

Change management

Communication & collaboration

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in business administration or related field

Master's degree preferred

Job description

An Official website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Job Description - Chief Operations Officer (260004SI)

Job Description

Chief Operations Officer - ( 260004SI )

Description

Job Summary

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Chief Operations Officer (COO) will oversee the day-to-day operations of the Commission and programs. Working with the Executive Director, the COO will ensure that the Commission executes onto the statutory and regulatory requirements in accordance with Chapter 65 of the Acts of 2026. The COO will lead strategic initiatives for the Commission essential to organizational effectiveness and ensure operational efficiencies, in a manner consistent with Commission mission and goals. The COO, in conjunction with the Executive Director, will play a pivotal role in driving operational efficiency and aligning day-to-day activities with overall Commission goals and objectives. The COO will also foster a performance driven culture through the implementation and execution of organizational strategies that support change initiatives and organizational transformation that led to sustainable growth.; ensuring that tactical solutions, a strong infrastructure, and available resources are in place to ensure overall organizational goals and objectives are met.

Core Responsibilities

Develop, establish, and direct the execution of operating policies to support overall Commission objectives;

Assist the Executive Director fostering innovative approaches to Commission operations with a focus on data utilization, planning and communication;

Work in partnership with Commissioners and the senior leadership team to implement a strategic plan for rapid scaling of operational capacity with a vision for quality/efficiency standards in all areas of responsibility and ensure that these standards are measured and reviewed on an ongoing basis;

Leads the development and standardization of day-to-day operational systems and regularly evaluate operating results to ensure organizational goals are being met;

Work collaboratively with other Departments to facilitate the interpretation of data and develop and submit responsive action plans for consideration to Commissioners, senior leadership team and a variety of stakeholders;

Oversees the project management team responsible for advancing critical key initiatives;

Establishing key performance indicators and standards that drive operational excellence, ensure organizational success, and achievement of mission critical goals;

Build and develop the Commissions cross functional project management team;

Develop staff through timely feedback and foster the ability of staff to achieve the highest level of professional growth and performance

Supervisory Responsibilities

The COO will oversee the following areas: Project Management, Administration, Compliance, Complaint Resolution Administration, Licensing, and Equity Programming & Community Outreach (EPCO).

The COO will work with the CFAO in relation to facilities and asset management, with the expectation that this function may transition in the future; and

The COO will work with the Chief of Staff in evaluation of the Constituent Services program and Medical Patient Support Center, with the expectation that this function may transition in the future; and

The COO may be assigned oversight of additional service areas over time as the organizational mission is expanded under Ch. 65 of the Acts of 2022.

Professional Expectations

Assists the Executive Director in evaluating departmental utilization to establish and prioritize departmental goals/activities; and

Performs other duties as assigned, including the planning and execution of ad hoc projects and organization-wide planning.

Qualifications

Competencies, Skills and Attributes

Knowledge of the principles and practices of management, including planning, budgeting, organizing, directing, motivating, and decision-making in the public sector;

Excellent communication and management skills with careful attention to detail;

Strategic and collaborative leadership approach;

Strategy development, implementation, and execution;

Strong organizational and analytical skills and ability to manage major competing projects at the same time;

Capacity to recognize the need for proactive change to adapt and motivate others including values, strategies, goals and plans in response to changing conditions ;

Commitment to the Commission’s mission, standards, and goals;

Ability to manage and make sound decisions while also focusing on eliminating ambiguity.

Qualifications and Requirements

Bachelor's degree in business administration or a related field from an accredited institution of higher education required; master's degree in business administration preferred, or combination of education and experience.

7-10 years of experience leading the development and execution of key operational and strategic functions within a fast-paced environment including at least 3-5 years of supervisory experience;

Superior leadership experience, particularly in cultivating high‑performing teams, and in developing and maintaining excellent relations with staff, stakeholders, community members and vendors;

Experience in project/operations management and performance improvement;

Demonstrated resourcefulness in setting priorities and guiding investment in people and systems along with experience building cultural competence among a team;

Record of managing a team of professional staff, senior level managers; ability to lead, inspire and empower demonstrating confidence and executive presence; and

Experience working with people from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

Working Conditions

Physical Demands:

Must be able to lift, push, or pull up to 20 pounds.

Must tolerate sitting, standing, or walking for extended periods of time.

Must be sensitive to and can manage frequent interruptions.

Standard office environment with use of, and exposure to various office temperatures, and equipment such as computers, fax machines, copiers, etc.

Benefits Package:

The Commission is pleased to offer a comprehensive benefits package to its employees. The specific components and eligibility may vary based upon position classification, hours worked per week and other variables. Therefore, specific benefits for this position may be discussed as part of the interview and offer process.

This position is non-civil service. This position is an exempt position.

The overall benefits available include paid vacation, sick and personal leave time, health, dental and vision insurance through the Commonwealth’s Group Insurance, and optional pre-tax Health Savings Account plans.

In addition, the Commission provides employees the opportunity to elect life insurance, long‑term disability insurance, deferred compensation savings, tuition remission and pre-tax commuter account plans, along with other programs.

The Commission employees also participate in the Commonwealth’s State Retirement Plan, which can become a defined benefit plan for those that both vest and subsequently retire from State service. Follow this link for additional retirement information: http://www.mass.gov/treasury/retirement/state-board-of-retire/ .

Commitment to Diversity:

The Cannabis Control Commission is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to creating and sustaining a diverse workforce and equitable, and inclusive workplace. The Commission prohibits any discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, disability, age, veteran or military status, genetic information, or any other legally protected class or characteristic. All employment decisions- including recruitment, hiring, promotion, etc., are made solely on the basis of merit, qualifications and Commission needs.

Cannabis Control Commission's Mission Statement and Operating Principles

OUR MISSION

The mission of the Cannabis Control Commission is to honor the will of the voters of Massachusetts by safely, equitably, and effectively implementing and administering the laws enabling access to medical and adult-use marijuana in the Commonwealth.

The Commission will foster the creation of a safely regulated industry that will create entrepreneurial and employment opportunities and incremental tax revenues in and to communities across the state and which will be a best practice model for other states.

The industry will be characterized by participation by small and larger participants and with full and robust participation by minorities, women, and veterans.

We will develop policies and procedures to encourage and enable full participation in the marijuana industry by people from communities that have previously been disproportionately harmed by marijuana prohibition and enforcement and positively impact those communities.

OUR OPERATING PRINCIPLES

The Commission promises to:

Conduct all of our processes openly and transparently; and

Engage in regular two-way communication with all concerned citizens, patients, health care providers and caregivers, partners, and other constituencies.

Build a world-class state agency by:

Committing to the highest level of constituent services using state-of-the-art technology and multiple media;

Defining and publicly measuring our performance versus metrics regarding timely execution, accessibility, impact on public health and safety, impact on disproportionately harmed communities, and incremental tax revenue generation;

Becoming self‑funding and generating a revenue surplus; and

Creating a great place to work.

Enhance and ensure public health and safety by:

Developing and enforcing effective regulations;

Developing and executing a program of continuing public education;

Conducting and contributing to research on marijuana-related topics; and

Using surplus funds to help address issues in these areas.

Primary Location

United States-Massachusetts-Worcester-2 Washington Square

Job

Compliance and Certification

Agency