Oversees all operational functions at the Salk Institute, including facilities, security services, environmental health & safety, information technology, and campus events. As a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, the COO works closely with the Salk President, Chief Science Officer, Vice-President External Relations, Vice-President People & Culture, and General Counsel to define Institute goals and ensure they are achieved.

Who We Are

The Salk Institute is an internationally renowned research institution that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. We seek bold and interactive leaders passionate about exploring new frontiers in science. Our collaborative community embraces diverse perspectives and unique life experiences, fostering innovation, and a sense of belonging. Together, we strive to improve the wellbeing of humanity through groundbreaking research.

Founded by Jonas Salk, developer of the first safe and effective polio vaccine, the Institute is an independent, nonprofit research organization and architectural landmark: small by choice, intimate by nature, and fearless in the face of any challenge. Salk's vibrant community comprises a diverse and talented group of individuals, each playing a crucial role in driving our mission forward. From visionary leaders to dedicated administrators and brilliant faculty members, the Institute is united by a shared passion for scientific exploration and innovation.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

• Develop and maintain effective relationships with faculty and administrative leadership to ensure efficient operations across the Institute


• Ensure that the physical plant effectively supports the Institute’s scientific mission and other activities


• Be responsible for Institute-wide space planning, working together with the Chief Science Officer for laboratory space and scientific core facilities, and taking primary responsibility for non-academic space.


• Ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements pertaining to environmental health & safety, physical security, cybersecurity, and other operational matters


• Collaborate with senior leadership to develop and execute strategic plans and initiatives


• Work with departmental colleagues and relevant stakeholders to evaluate and implement new tools, systems, and services to enhance Salk’s research environment


• Work in partnership with the Chief Information Officer to provide state-of-the-art capabilities for both research and enterprise computing


• Work proactively to ensure operational continuity and to solve problems as they arise with minimal disruption.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Directly supervises the following positions:
  
  
  • Executive Director Facilities & Operations (72 positions reporting to this role)
  
  
  • Chief Information Officer (22 positions report to this role)
  
  
  • Senior Director Environmental Health & Safety (8 positions report to this roles
  
  
  
  


• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the Institute’s policies and applicable laws.


• Interviews, hires, and trains employees; plans, assigns, and directs work; appraises performance, rewarding and disciplining employees as appropriate; addresses complaints and resolves problems.

What we Require

• Bachelor’s Degree (BA) from four-year college or university


• Minimum of 15 years broad management experience of facilities and IT functions in a research-based institution, biotech, or pharmaceutical company


• Minimum of 5 years´ experience in a senior leadership role

What We Can Offer

The expected pay range for this position is $350,000 to $450,000 annually. Salk Institute provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the institute reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

Benefits

Salk Institute offers competitive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, retirement, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, patient advocacy services, and transit/parking program.

Salk Values

The Salk Community, both scientists and administrators, worked together to define values that we believe support Salk’s pursuit of excellence. To be truly the best scientific institution requires not only incredible discoveries, but a common understanding of how we should work together to enable those discoveries.

The acronym “I CARE” provides a simple way to remember each of the values and reminds each of us of the importance of what we do each day.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The Salk Institute for Biological Studies is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal access to opportunities for students, employees, applicants for employment and other visitors. Salk has also adopted and maintains a policy to encourage professional and respectful workplace behavior and prevent discriminatory and harassing conduct in our workplace.

Accordingly, the Institute prohibits harassment and discrimination in employment on the basis of, and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to, actual or perceived race, color, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, marital status, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status (disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era, other covered veteran status), political affiliation, and any other status protected by state or federal law.