HGG CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER #226431

Research Corporation of the University of Hawai‘i; Honolulu (HI); On-site; USD 92,996 - 139,500; Full time

Job summary

Research Corporation of the University of Hawai‘i seeks the Chief Operating Officer for Hawaiʻi Green Growth, based in Honolulu. This executive role leads daily operations, financial oversight, HR, systems, and risk management, aligning efforts with the 2026–2030 strategic plan to advance sustainability priorities.

The COO partners with the CEO and reports to ensure resources, governance, and organizational capacity for impact.

Qualifications

• Five to seven (5-7) years of progressively responsible executive leadership experience with increasing responsibility for organizational operations, financial management, personnel leadership, strategic planning, fundraising, and organizational growth.
• Demonstrated ability to secure six- and seven-figure grants, contracts, or major gifts across multiple sectors.
• Experience facilitating multi-stakeholder convenings and cross-sector dialogues to achieve actionable outcomes.
• Familiarity with nonprofit governance, Board committees, and organizational policy development.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operations, financial management, HR, organizational systems, and risk management.
• Translate the Board- and CEO-approved 2026–2030 Strategic Plan into operational execution.
• Lead revenue strategy through grants, contracts management, budgeting, and funder stewardship.
• Serve as operational liaison with government, business, philanthropy, academia, and community partners.
• Ensure compliance with HR, fiscal, and operational policies and reporting requirements.

Skills

Executive leadership

Financial management

HR management

Strategic planning

Fundraising

Grant management

Public speaking

Education

Master's degree in Business or related field

Bachelor's degree + 3 years substitution

Job description

HGG CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER – ID# 226431.

Closing Date: July 26, 2026, or until filled.

Regular, Full‑Time, RCUH Non‑Civil Service position with the Hawai‘i Local 2030 Hub, located in Honolulu, Hawai‘i. Continuation of employment is dependent upon program/operational needs, satisfactory work performance, availability of funds, and compliance with applicable Federal/State laws.

Monthly Salary Range: $8,333 – $12,500/Mon.

DUTIES

Oversees Hawaiʻi Green Growth’s day‑to‑day operations, financial management, human resources, organizational systems, and risk management. Reports to and partners closely with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), translating the Board‑and‑CEO‑approved 2026–2030 Strategic Plan into effective operational execution, ensuring HGG has the people, systems, resources, and organizational capacity needed to advance the Aloha+ Challenge, the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and Hawaiʻi’s sustainability priorities. As the operational leader of Hawaiʻi’s statewide collective‑impact backbone organization for sustainability, HGG monitors organizational infrastructure, financial stewardship, compliance, and continuous improvement, strengthening the ability to convene and support collective action among government, business, philanthropy, academia, and community partners. Serves as the principal operational liaison with key fiscal and institutional partners. Shares leadership with the CEO for organizational sustainability by implementing HGG’s revenue strategy through institutional fundraising, grants and contracts management, budgeting, compliance, and funder stewardship. Oversees HGG’s continued growth and maturation as a 501(c)(3) organization by strengthening organizational systems, governance support, and operational excellence. Inputs, reviews, and approves HR Portal transactions, including eTimesheets on behalf of or in the absence of the PI with the PI’s concurrence.

PRIMARY QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Business, Sustainable Development, International Relations, Environmental Studies and Resource Management, or related field; orBachelor’s Degree from an accredited four‑year college or university in Business Administration, Nonprofit Management, Sustainable Development, or a related field and an additional three years of related experience may substitute for a Master’s Degree.

EXPERIENCE

• Five to seven (5‑7) years of progressively responsible executive leadership experience with increasing responsibility for organizational operations, financial management, personnel leadership, strategic planning, fundraising, and organizational growth.
• Proven track record of delivering measurable outcomes across multiple sectors, including federal, state, and local government, nonprofit, and private‑sector environments, with a demonstrated ability to personally secure six‑ and seven‑figure grants, contracts, or major gifts.
• Demonstrated experience facilitating multi‑stakeholder convenings, public meetings, and cross‑sector dialogues that result in actionable outcomes.
• Demonstrated experience building and sustaining partnerships across government, business, nonprofit, and community sectors to advance shared goals.

KNOWLEDGE

• Nonprofit financial management, including budgeting, internal controls, grant/contract compliance, and audit processes.
• Collective impact frameworks, backbone organizations, shared measurement systems, collaborative governance, and multi‑sector partnership management.
• Implementation of complex, multifaceted initiatives requiring extensive coordination among business, philanthropic, civil society, community, academic, and government stakeholders at local, state, federal, and global levels.
• Organizational, fiscal, HR, and administrative management, including operations oversight, budget development, financial projections and reporting, and risk management.
• Rules and policies pertinent to personnel, safety, fiscal, and operational matters, including RCUH/UH administrative requirements.
• Hawaiʻi’s legislative and regulatory environment, including state and county government processes, the Hawaiʻi Congressional Delegation, and public‑private partnership frameworks.
• Nonprofit governance, Board committee operations, and organizational policy development.

ABILITIES & SKILLS

• Proven major‑gift and institutional‑funder cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship skills, with experience setting and meeting fundraising revenue targets and diversifying a nonprofit’s funding portfolio.
• Senior leadership and personnel management skills, with the ability to motivate, support, and develop diverse teams.
• Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, and internal controls design.
• Expertise in grant writing and managing grant/contract requirements.
• Strategic thinking, systems‑building, and process improvement aptitude, thriving in adaptable, fast‑paced work environments.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, interpersonal, and outreach abilities.
• Ability to evaluate, implement, and optimize organizational technologies (CRM platforms, HRIS systems, accounting software, project management platforms, grants management systems, AI‑enabled productivity tools, and collaborative work environments).
• Leadership of organizational change, scaling growth, building systems, and managing through periods of strategic growth.
• Facilitation of collective impact partnerships and alignment of diverse stakeholders around shared outcomes.
• Presentation of complex policy, financial, and organizational information to executive leadership, boards of directors, elected officials, and general public audiences with clarity and confidence.
• Commitment to public accountability and mission‑driven outcomes in service of community and environmental priorities.
• Building coalitions, networks, and partnerships from inception, including founding or co‑founding community‑based initiatives and organizations.

POST‑OFFER/EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS

• Must be able to pass a post‑offer criminal background check.
• Must complete the UH Information Security Awareness Training (ISAT) within two (2) weeks from date of hire, and re‑certify every twelve (12) months.

PHYSICAL/MEDICAL DEMANDS

Must be able to support event logistics, which includes the ability to lift, carry, and set‑up materials that weigh up to thirty (30) pounds.

SECONDARY QUALIFICATIONS

• Familiarity and experience working with Hawaiʻi’s communities, businesses, government agencies, and nonprofit sectors, with an established network of professional relationships across these stakeholders.
• Familiarity with Hawaiʻi’s economic landscape, key industries, civic infrastructure, and public policy environment is highly desirable.
• Experience supporting or leading collaborative, cross‑sector initiatives involving government, philanthropy, academia, Native Hawaiian organizations, community‑based organizations, and private‑sector partners.
• Experience working in climate, sustainability, resilience, natural resource management, community development, or related mission‑driven sectors, including familiarity with systems change, adaptive management, and the implementation of sustainability frameworks at regional or statewide scales.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex technical, financial, and policy information effectively to executive leaders, funders, decision‑makers, and public audiences.
• Deep appreciation for and professional engagement with Native Hawaiian language, culture, and traditions, as well as Pacific Islander communities, with the ability to thoughtfully incorporate Indigenous knowledge and worldviews into organizational leadership and sustainability practice.
• Familiarity with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Small Island Developing States (SIDS), the Local2030 Islands Network, and other collaborative sustainability frameworks is highly desirable.
• Bilingual or multilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

EEO STATEMENT

RCUH is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, marital status, reproductive health decision, citizenship, gender identity or expression, domestic or sexual violence victim status, military/veteran status, or other grounds protected under applicable federal and state laws, except as permitted by law.