COO: Luxury Architecture & Construction Ops Leader

Vaco by Highspring; New York (NY); On-site; USD 250,000 - 325,000; Full time

Job summary

Vaco by Highspring, a luxury architecture/engineering firm, seeks a Chief Operating Officer to lead operations, finance, administration, technology, and people functions in New York City.

The role partners with senior leadership to drive efficiency, scalability, and growth, overseeing budgeting, strategic initiatives, and governance while ensuring processes and controls support the firm’s high-end projects.

Qualifications

• Significant leadership experience in operations, finance, business management, or related executive roles.
• Experience managing cross-functional teams and business operations.
• Experience supporting strategic planning, organizational growth, and operational improvement initiatives.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Management, or a related discipline.
• Advanced degree or relevant professional credentials are a plus.
• Strong leadership and organizational management skills.
• Experience overseeing financial planning, operational performance, and business processes.
• Ability to balance strategic priorities with day-to-day execution.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building, and stakeholder management abilities.
• Experience supporting organizational transformation, growth initiatives, or process improvement programs.
• Familiarity with corporate governance, risk management, and business operations.
• Exposure to mergers, acquisitions, integrations, or other strategic business initiatives is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Partner with executive leadership to support organizational objectives and business priorities
• Develop and implement operational strategies that drive efficiency, scalability, and performance
• Foster collaboration across departments to improve communication, accountability, and execution
• Lead initiatives focused on process improvement and organizational effectiveness
• Support business growth through planning, resource management, and operational oversight
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning activities with finance leadership
• Monitor business performance and key metrics to support informed decisions
• Provide financial and operational insights to leadership teams
• Support development of business plans, investment evaluations, and strategic initiatives
• Maintain relationships with key external partners and advisors
• Develop and maintain policies, procedures, and internal controls
• Identify and manage operational, financial, and business risks
• Ensure governance practices across the organization
• Coordinate with stakeholders on compliance matters as needed
• Provide leadership across corporate support functions
• Ensure systems and processes support organizational needs
• Oversee initiatives related to operational infrastructure, employee experience, and development
• Promote culture of continuous improvement, teamwork, accountability
• Lead and mentor managers and functional leaders
• Support talent development, succession planning, and growth initiatives
• Foster collaboration focused on performance, engagement, and results
• Drive alignment between teams and objectives

Skills

Executive leadership

Operations management

Financial planning

Cross-functional collaboration

Strategic planning

Stakeholder management

People leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Finance/Management

Advanced degree or professional credentials (preferred)

Job description

Vaco by Highspring, a luxury architecture/engineering firm, seeks a Chief Operating Officer to lead operations, finance, administration, technology, and people functions in New York City.

The role partners with senior leadership to drive efficiency, scalability, and growth, overseeing budgeting, strategic initiatives, and governance while ensuring processes and controls support the firm’s high-end projects.