Chief Operations Officer

The Kavli Foundation seeks a dynamic and experienced administrator motivated to make a positive difference in the world to serve as its Chief Operations Officer (COO). The Kavli Foundation is a highly respected basic science foundation with an endowment of nearly $600M and an international presence. The foundation is focused on catalyzing breakthrough research globally in four pivotal fields of science: astrophysics, nanoscience, neuroscience, and theoretical physics. In two short decades, the Foundation has become an eminent, exceptionally well-developed private, non-profit grantmaking institution, with an energized and impressively competent staff of ~30 individuals and an enabling Board of Directors. The Foundation has recently pivoted to a different funding model that requires maturation of operational systems aligned with their strategic direction. The COO will play a critical leadership role in strengthening, designing, and stewarding the Foundation’s administrative infrastructure in service of advancing science for the benefit of humanity.

The COO will be responsible for developing and implementing an operational structure that is aligned with The Kavli Foundation’s overall goals, strategies, and objectives. The COO will be a critical partner to the President in formulating best practices and approaches in support of the Foundation’s mission and will have the opportunity to reimagine the Foundation’s organizational structure and establish business process flows to optimize efficiency, function, and impact. This will include close collaboration with the Foundation’s leadership team to develop and implement plans to enhance operational infrastructure and excellence.

In doing so, the COO will reimagine and oversee business operations and functional departments, including finance and accounting, information technology, systems and facilities, general operations and administration of activities to ensure efficiency and economy. The COO will drive continuous improvement initiatives, lead organizational efforts, and manage cross-functional teams to execute projects and initiatives, collaborating with the president, the leadership team, and the Board of Directors to deploy a total annual budget of ~$37M.

Reporting to the President, the Chief Operating Officer will be a strategic and hands-on administrative manager and leader. The COO must be able to work autonomously while also collaborating with the President, the Board of Directors, and other Foundation staff to optimize organizational structure and function. The Foundation seeks a COO who strives to embody the Foundation’s aspirations, share its enthusiasm, and use its assets to pursue novel ways to enable and optimize operational excellence.

Qualifications and Characteristics

The successful candidate must demonstrate, through ideas, words, and actions, a strong commitment to the Kavli Foundation’s common set of goals: programmatic impact; organizational culture; operational excellence; and governance.

This position requires a leader with vision, breadth, drive, and an entrepreneurial spirit. A compelling combination of organizational leadership and management skills, and the interpersonal ability to lead and inspire confidence across different stakeholders is needed. The desired qualifications and experience of an ideal COO include the following:

  • Bachelor’s degree, preferably in business, organizational development, or finance and accounting;
    master’s or other advanced degree preferred.
  • A minimum of 10+ years of senior level or higher operations experience, preferably at a nonprofit organization.
  • Significant operational experience in evaluating, developing, and implementing organizational policies, and systems.
  • Superb business acumen and sound understanding of business strategies, financial planning, analysis, and budgeting.
  • Solid understanding of endowment investments is highly desirable.
  • Accustomed to prioritizing, executing, and achieving results in lean environments; always ready to engage and lend a hand where needed.
  • Solid experience and understanding of information technology and systems and infrastructure, including cybersecurity.
  • Superior project management skills.
  • Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Demonstrated strategic leadership ability.

Compensation and Location

The anticipated salary range for this position is $300,000-$340,000. Salary is commensurate with the background and experience of the individual selected.

The Foundation is located in the Culver City neighborhood in Los Angeles, adjacent to the Silicon Beach technology area. The COO is expected to consistently be on site at The Kavli Foundation’s offices several days a week.

Applications, Inquiries, and Nominations

Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. Applicants should submit a resume and cover letter. For best consideration, please apply by February 23, 2024.

Inquiries, nominations, and applications should be submitted via the Isaacson, Miller website for the search:

https://www.imsearch.com/open-searches/kavli-foundation/chief-operating-officer