ABOUT CURIODYSSEY

The mission of CuriOdyssey is to inspire love for science and curiosity about the world to create a brighter future. Located in Coyote Point Park in San Mateo County, CuriOdyssey has undergone a major reinvention and full strategic planning process that has transformed the organization into a vital, kid-centric interactive science center and accredited California native animal wildlife zoo that provides up-close and personal experiences with the natural world. The organization is comprised of a strategic and engaged Board of Trustees, visionary executive leadership, and a talented, energetic, and entrepreneurial staff.

Formerly the Coyote Point Museum for Environmental Education, and Coyote Point Museum, it is part of the Coyote Point Recreation Area, which overlooks the San Francisco Bay. The museum was founded in 1954 as the San Mateo County Junior Museum.

CuriOdyssey is at an exciting juncture in its 67-year lifespan as it successfully completes a major capital campaign to replace its current 35-year-old facility with a new campus concept. Construction is underway with our first structure, a fully accessible ADA playground, which was opened in November 2021.. CuriOdyssey will break ground this fiscal year on a second construction project, to be announced soon. CuriOdyssey’s campus is being created and managed by highly respected partners Sares Regis, WRNS Studios, and Whiting-Turner.

For more information about CuriOdyssey, please visit http://www.curiodyssey.org/

POSITION OVERVIEW

CuriOdyssey seeks a Director of Administration and Operations who is enthusiastic about working with a talented and committed team to grow and build CuriOdyssey into a state-of-the-art non-profit science museum and zoo.

The Director of Administration and Operations (DoAO, or Director) is responsible for maintaining high standards of professionalism and excellence across many aspects of the Museum's operations. The DoAO guarantees the smooth operations of a large, complex, science museum and zoo, with approximately 40 employees, an annual budget of $5 million, and an average annual attendance of 200,000 visitors.  S/he supports the Executive Director in efforts to expand creative capacity, build and grow the current 30,000 sq. foot facility into an eight-building, 40,000 sq. foot campus. 

The DoAO will conceptualize, develop, and execute programs that continuously improve operations systems as CuriOdyssey prepares for significant growth with its new campus development. In this process, the Director is expected to be responsive, transparent, and creative. The Director must embody a collaborative leadership model, getting input from broad and diverse stakeholders and constituents—discovering interests and capabilities of staff, opportunities and challenges faced by departments.

The Director is expected to contribute to CuriOdyssey’s strategic planning, typically involving considerable ambiguity, complexity, and scope. The Director is accountable for all operational & program activities, assuring appropriate expenditures, promoting efficient and responsible use of financial support received from individuals, corporations, and foundations, and will report regularly to Executive Director on use of funds.

The Director may be assigned additional tasks.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

The Director of Administration and Operations reports directly to the Executive Director manages a team that heads up the following departments: Finance, HR, Operations, Facilities, and Guest Services.  Wildlife, Volunteers, Exhibits, Education, Development, and Campus Capital Program will continue to report into the Executive Director.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Overall Organization Management & Leadership

• Manage organizational, administrative, and operational functions, including HR and Finance consultant teams, Facilities, and Guest Services    

• Support CuriOdyssey’s efforts to create a workplace that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion and ensure that DEI is a top-of-mind priority.

• Participate as a member of the senior management team.

• Participate in long term strategic planning.

• Work with individual department heads to monitor their work, not only ensuring each function stays on track to meet its goals, but also making sure each department understands its role in relation to the other departments and our mission.

• Oversee maintenance and renovation projects for the Museum's facilities, including special events

• Ensure that best practices for security, safety, and property management are consistently adopted and followed, including procedures for disaster preparedness.

• Work effectively internally with diverse constituencies within the organization, and externally with board members, advisory committee members, staff, and volunteers.

• Work closely with community and professional organizations, governmental agencies, private vendors, benefits brokers, CuriOdyssey staff, the Board of Trustees, and affiliated Board Committees on the planning, implementation and/or evaluation of the organization’s strategic initiatives.

• In collaboration with Executive Director, architects and designers, work to endure the successful planning and implementation of CuriOdyssey’s capital campaign projects.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Seven - ten years of managerial experience operating a facility (museum, zoo, or school preferred)

• Five years of experience as a Director of Operations overseeing facilities

• Excellent communications skills, both oral and written, supported by ability to use technological tools

• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and as part of a team and with great energy and persistence

• Excellent planning, financial management, and organizational skills

• Collaborative management style

• Strong work ethic

• Ability to read, negotiate, and manage contracts

• Significant experience working with external boards and committees

• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills; highest level presentation, negotiation, project management, and problem-solving skills required

• Experience working with diverse constituencies

• Ability to work Sunday-Thursday schedule

• Available for occasional work events on weekends and evenings (additional)

• Proven organizational skills including the ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously and produce high quality results quickly and on time

• Substantial knowledge of security and safety protocols, building operations, and systems for facilities that host a high daily volume of visitors

• Critical thinking, problem solving, accuracy and attention to detail

• Experience reviewing financial statements, building budgets, and estimating expenses

• Access to own transportation, mileage is reimbursable

• Strong facility with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace

• Familiarity with a science-based organization is a plus

• Passion for and commitment to the mission of CuriOdyssey

100% of CuriOdyssey employees are fully vaccinated.

SALARY OR SALARY RANGE

The salary range for this position is $125,000 - $135,000 plus benefits including employee’s health, dental, vision (all at 90% of Silver Level plan), life insurance (100%), 403b, twenty days of vacation (increasing annually), 10 days sick leave, FSA, professional training opportunities, and 12 paid “observed” holidays, and more.

In keeping with our commitment to equity and equal pay for all, Cook Silverman Search posts salary ranges on all job descriptions.

TO APPLY

To apply for this position, or for additional information on the opportunity, please send a copy of your resume with a cover letter to Victoria Silverman at apply@cooksilverman.com.

All applications and inquiries will receive a response and be kept strictly confidential.

DEI STATEMENT

CuriOdyssey seeks to build a diverse work team and encourages applications from candidates who will add to that diversity. CuriOdyssey is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to age, race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and/or related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws.