Executive COO: Growth & Guest Experience Leader

Tennessee Aquarium; Chattanooga (TN); On-site; USD 200,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Benefits package

Job summary

The Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga, TN seeks a Chief Operating Officer to translate ambitious vision into coordinated action and lead a broad portfolio of operations, people, and resources. You will influence guest experience, earned revenue, facilities, and long-range planning as a trusted partner to the CEO.

The role emphasizes leadership development, cross-functional collaboration, risk management, and operational excellence to advance the Aquarium’s impact.

Qualifications

• Seven+ years in senior leadership roles.
• Experience leading complex, multi-functional operations.
• Executive leadership experience in a cultural institution preferred.
• Strong budgeting, P&L, revenue generation, and cost management.
• Translate strategy and vision into disciplined execution.
• Exceptional judgment; partner to a CEO.
• High emotional intelligence; develop leaders and build trust.

Responsibilities

• Translate strategic vision into priorities, plans, and measurable results.
• Lead guest-facing operations with focus on hospitality, attendance, and experiences.
• Provide executive leadership for facilities, infrastructure, major capital projects, safety, and business continuity.
• Support development of ten-year facilities master plan and priorities.
• Develop leaders and foster accountability, collaboration, and shared purpose.
• Guide growth and change while preserving strengths of the institution.
• Strengthen cross-functional coordination across specialized teams.
• Represent the Aquarium in professional associations and with external stakeholders.

Skills

Senior leadership

Multi-functional ops

Executive leadership

Budgeting & P&L

Strategy execution

Executive partner to CEO

Emotional intelligence

Leadership development

Board & stakeholder comms

Mission-driven

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

The Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga, TN seeks a Chief Operating Officer to translate ambitious vision into coordinated action and lead a broad portfolio of operations, people, and resources. You will influence guest experience, earned revenue, facilities, and long-range planning as a trusted partner to the CEO.

The role emphasizes leadership development, cross-functional collaboration, risk management, and operational excellence to advance the Aquarium’s impact.