The State University of New York
Senior Vice Chancellor for Operations & Management and Chief Operating Officer (
The State University of New York, Albany, New York, United States
Senior Vice Chancellor for Operations & Management and Chief Operating Officer (COO)
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the State University of New York (SUNY) System Administration provides strategic, systemwide leadership for enterprise operations across a 64-campus network that includes three SUNY teaching hospitals; two public dental schools; the state's only public law school; and the state's only college of optometry. SUNY is the largest comprehensive system in the nation and serves about 1.3 million students annually across credit and noncredit bearing programs, continuing education, and community outreach. It aspires to be the most inclusive state university system in the country. The COO advances this mission by driving operational excellence, fiscal sustainability, risk management, and scalable shared services that improve the student, faculty, and staff experience. Responsibilities
Provide dynamic enterprise leadership for SUNY operations, translating the Chancellor's priorities into a unified operating model with clear standards, service commitments, and accountability that delivers measurable gains in student success, fiscal sustainability, and operational resilience across 64 campuses. Responsible for leading major Chancellor's priority initiatives, including $200M Digital Transformation Fund, implementation of System-wide strategic sourcing procurement agenda, and expansion of shared services/operational collaboration. Institutionalize a systemwide operating cadence with campus leaders that standardizes service expectations and resolves cross-campus issues quickly with accountable owners. Set policy and accountability for systemwide budgeting and financial management through the Chief Financial Officer; ensure strong fiscal controls, transparent reporting, timely closes, and clean audits; drive savings and reinvestment through shared procurement and financial systems modernization. Lead the multi-year fiscal sustainability agenda with campuses in partnership with the Chief Financial Officer and academic leadership; align enrollment, academic portfolio, staffing, and revenue strategies; require rigorous stress testing and quarterly plan reviews. Provide executive direction for capital programs and real estate in partnership with the SUNY Construction Fund; oversee master capital planning, bond financing, residence hall program policy and solvency, campus-let contracting, Project Labor Agreement procedures, and pre-award audit readiness. Direct enterprise IT and digital transformation governance; align technology investments to data strategy, student success, and shared services; ensure adherence to enterprise architecture and modernization roadmaps. Oversee a robust cybersecurity program through policy development, risk assessments, security operations, incident response readiness, and compliance to be coordinated across System Administration and all campuses. Co-lead Enterprise Risk Management with the Office of General Counsel; integrate risk into planning and budgeting; elevate risk reporting and mitigation plans to senior leadership and the Board; ensure on time remediation of audit findings. Oversee presidential recruitment, evaluation, and development processes in partnership with the Chancellor and the Board of Trustees; ensure consistent policy, timelines, and documentation. Oversee University Audit and the system's audit liaison function; manages system coordination and response, ensure timely closure of findings, strengthen preventive controls, and align internal audit plans with Enterprise Risk Management. Provide executive oversight of the SUNY Rockefeller Institute of Government. Provide executive oversight of HR strategy and operations for System Administration and coordination of university wide HR policies and practices; champion workforce planning, classification and compensation consistency, talent development, and an inclusive, high-performance culture. Ensure coordinated emergency preparedness and response across all campuses and System Administration (major weather events, public safety issues, environmental hazards, workplace safety), including law-enforcement coordination, mutual-aid partnerships, and after-action reviews with tracked improvements. Lead System Administration building operations, sustainability initiatives, capital renewals, space management, and event operations; maintain business continuity plans and incident-command readiness. Serve, as appropriate, as principal liaison to the Board of Trustees and its committees and an executive interface to the SUNY Research Foundation (including NY CREATES) and state partners (DOB, OSC, DASNY, ESD, NYSERDA/NYPA); ensure clear, timely materials and decision support, and align policy, financing, compliance, and implementation across the system. Provide executive oversight to the SUNY Charter Schools Institute. Advance sustainability and energy objectives consistent with state directives (e.g., CLCPA/EOs), including facilities decarbonization, waste reduction and reporting at System Administration. Other duties as assigned by the Chancellor consistent with SUNY's mission and strategic priorities. Requirements
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university Ten or more years of progressive leadership experience, that includes administrative, governance, budget, policies, programs, and initiatives in higher education and/or in the public sector at a high level Demonstrated organizational, management, leadership, and critical thinking skills Demonstrated ability to provide effective short-term and long-term vision and leadership in a changing higher education environment Working knowledge of state and federal laws, regulations, and requirements Ability to build strong collaborative relationships across all levels of an organization Ability to set priorities and manage multiple projects simultaneously and change priorities as needed based on the needs of the organization Exceptional communication, critical thinking, and organizational skills Preferred Qualifications
Master's degree or terminal degree Fifteen or more years of high-level leadership experience, with demonstrated mastery of several of the reporting domains in the COO portfolio Benefits
Salary is dependent on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, experience, education, training, and certifications. The range for this position is $280,000-$340,000 annually. Excellent Benefit Package which includes: NYS health insurance, free dental and vision coverage, competitive retirement options, tuition assistance, parental leave at full pay, and generous vacation, sick, and holiday time.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the State University of New York (SUNY) System Administration provides strategic, systemwide leadership for enterprise operations across a 64-campus network that includes three SUNY teaching hospitals; two public dental schools; the state's only public law school; and the state's only college of optometry. SUNY is the largest comprehensive system in the nation and serves about 1.3 million students annually across credit and noncredit bearing programs, continuing education, and community outreach. It aspires to be the most inclusive state university system in the country. The COO advances this mission by driving operational excellence, fiscal sustainability, risk management, and scalable shared services that improve the student, faculty, and staff experience. Responsibilities
Provide dynamic enterprise leadership for SUNY operations, translating the Chancellor's priorities into a unified operating model with clear standards, service commitments, and accountability that delivers measurable gains in student success, fiscal sustainability, and operational resilience across 64 campuses. Responsible for leading major Chancellor's priority initiatives, including $200M Digital Transformation Fund, implementation of System-wide strategic sourcing procurement agenda, and expansion of shared services/operational collaboration. Institutionalize a systemwide operating cadence with campus leaders that standardizes service expectations and resolves cross-campus issues quickly with accountable owners. Set policy and accountability for systemwide budgeting and financial management through the Chief Financial Officer; ensure strong fiscal controls, transparent reporting, timely closes, and clean audits; drive savings and reinvestment through shared procurement and financial systems modernization. Lead the multi-year fiscal sustainability agenda with campuses in partnership with the Chief Financial Officer and academic leadership; align enrollment, academic portfolio, staffing, and revenue strategies; require rigorous stress testing and quarterly plan reviews. Provide executive direction for capital programs and real estate in partnership with the SUNY Construction Fund; oversee master capital planning, bond financing, residence hall program policy and solvency, campus-let contracting, Project Labor Agreement procedures, and pre-award audit readiness. Direct enterprise IT and digital transformation governance; align technology investments to data strategy, student success, and shared services; ensure adherence to enterprise architecture and modernization roadmaps. Oversee a robust cybersecurity program through policy development, risk assessments, security operations, incident response readiness, and compliance to be coordinated across System Administration and all campuses. Co-lead Enterprise Risk Management with the Office of General Counsel; integrate risk into planning and budgeting; elevate risk reporting and mitigation plans to senior leadership and the Board; ensure on time remediation of audit findings. Oversee presidential recruitment, evaluation, and development processes in partnership with the Chancellor and the Board of Trustees; ensure consistent policy, timelines, and documentation. Oversee University Audit and the system's audit liaison function; manages system coordination and response, ensure timely closure of findings, strengthen preventive controls, and align internal audit plans with Enterprise Risk Management. Provide executive oversight of the SUNY Rockefeller Institute of Government. Provide executive oversight of HR strategy and operations for System Administration and coordination of university wide HR policies and practices; champion workforce planning, classification and compensation consistency, talent development, and an inclusive, high-performance culture. Ensure coordinated emergency preparedness and response across all campuses and System Administration (major weather events, public safety issues, environmental hazards, workplace safety), including law-enforcement coordination, mutual-aid partnerships, and after-action reviews with tracked improvements. Lead System Administration building operations, sustainability initiatives, capital renewals, space management, and event operations; maintain business continuity plans and incident-command readiness. Serve, as appropriate, as principal liaison to the Board of Trustees and its committees and an executive interface to the SUNY Research Foundation (including NY CREATES) and state partners (DOB, OSC, DASNY, ESD, NYSERDA/NYPA); ensure clear, timely materials and decision support, and align policy, financing, compliance, and implementation across the system. Provide executive oversight to the SUNY Charter Schools Institute. Advance sustainability and energy objectives consistent with state directives (e.g., CLCPA/EOs), including facilities decarbonization, waste reduction and reporting at System Administration. Other duties as assigned by the Chancellor consistent with SUNY's mission and strategic priorities. Requirements
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university Ten or more years of progressive leadership experience, that includes administrative, governance, budget, policies, programs, and initiatives in higher education and/or in the public sector at a high level Demonstrated organizational, management, leadership, and critical thinking skills Demonstrated ability to provide effective short-term and long-term vision and leadership in a changing higher education environment Working knowledge of state and federal laws, regulations, and requirements Ability to build strong collaborative relationships across all levels of an organization Ability to set priorities and manage multiple projects simultaneously and change priorities as needed based on the needs of the organization Exceptional communication, critical thinking, and organizational skills Preferred Qualifications
Master's degree or terminal degree Fifteen or more years of high-level leadership experience, with demonstrated mastery of several of the reporting domains in the COO portfolio Benefits
Salary is dependent on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, experience, education, training, and certifications. The range for this position is $280,000-$340,000 annually. Excellent Benefit Package which includes: NYS health insurance, free dental and vision coverage, competitive retirement options, tuition assistance, parental leave at full pay, and generous vacation, sick, and holiday time.
#J-18808-Ljbffr