Inaugural Network COO, Shared Services (Higher Ed)

California State University, East Bay; Hayward, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 300,000 - 315,000; Full time

Job summary

Cal State East Bay seeks an inaugural Chief Operating Officer for the San Francisco Bay Region Network, a shared services model uniting three CSU campuses. The role emphasizes strategic leadership to drive efficiency, cost savings, and high-quality service delivery across finance, HR, and IT.

The COO will report to the presidents of Sonoma State University, San Francisco State University, and Cal State East Bay, guiding transformation while preserving campus identities and autonomy.

Qualifications

• Experience in higher education, public sector, nonprofit, or similarly complex mission driven organizations.
• Familiarity with multi-campus systems, shared services models, or matrixed reporting structures.
• Commitment to student success, institutional resilience, and the distinct missions and identities of each member campus.
• Ability to travel regularly among the three Bay Area campuses and maintain a visible leadership presence.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and vision for the Network, focusing on efficiency, effectiveness, and cost savings.
• Report jointly to the presidents of Sonoma State University, San Francisco State University, and Cal State East Bay.
• Lead and empower staff to achieve excellence in service delivery across finance, HR, IT, and related functions.
• Oversee change management, project execution, and cross-functional coordination within a shared services model.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Change management

Relationship building

Communication

Data-driven decisions

Job description

Cal State East Bay seeks an inaugural Chief Operating Officer for the San Francisco Bay Region Network, a shared services model uniting three CSU campuses. The role emphasizes strategic leadership to drive efficiency, cost savings, and high-quality service delivery across finance, HR, and IT.

The COO will report to the presidents of Sonoma State University, San Francisco State University, and Cal State East Bay, guiding transformation while preserving campus identities and autonomy.