Chief Sales and Operations Officer

About the Opportunity:
Reporting to the Managing Director and CFO, the Chief Sales and Operations Officer (CSOO) will oversee and optimize the Academy's day-to-day operations. This senior leadership role requires a strategic leader who will ensure the efficient operation of critical functional areas, including Sales and Revenue Generation, Information Technology Services, Building Operations and Life Support Systems,Guest Experience, and Public Operations. The CSOO will collaborate closely with senior leadership and contribute to the Academy’s mission of regenerating the natural world.

The successful candidate will be an inspiring and visionary leader with a deep understanding of operations management, organizational efficiency, and visitor engagement, ideally within the museum, science, or non-profit sector. They will be an established leader with a shared vision and commitment to the Academy’s mission and strategic initiatives in science, education, and community engagement.

This leader will assess and streamline current processes to optimize the execution of initiatives across diverse operational areas. The CSOO will oversee direct and cross-functional teams to both generate revenue and to ensure the smooth running of daily operations, improving systems in areas like technology, guest experience, public operations, and building management. They will spearhead operational strategies that improve key organizational metrics, drive revenue growth, and enhance the Academy’s overall performance.

In addition to operational expertise, the successful candidate will possess a strong track record in budget management, resource allocation, and people leadership, building robust relationships across departments to drive collaboration and performance.

Organizational Culture:
Join a team dedicated to the Academy’s mission, vision and values! Currently, the Academy’s strategic plan includes three initiatives – Hope for Reefs, Thriving California, and Islands 2030 – that leverage biodiversity science, environmental learning, and collaborative engagement to regenerate fragile ecosystems around the world. Learn more at https://www.calacademy.org/about-us/major-initiatives.

We are committed to ensuring diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion are intrinsic to Academy culture and operations, from recruitment and retention to science and advocacy. 

We hope you are inspired by what we do and are excited to contribute to our mission. The mission of the California Academy of Sciences is to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration. The Academy is looking for candidates who do great work, and we know they may come from a number of different backgrounds and experiences. We encourage you to apply even if you do not believe you meet every one of the qualifications for the position.

This position is based in San Francisco, California. Staff are currently expected to work from the Academy offices at least 2-3 times per week, which may fluctuate based on business needs. Please do not apply if you are not able to work onsite. Candidates are required to have up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment, absent qualifying exemptions in accordance with applicable laws. Individuals receiving a conditional offer of employment from the California Academy of Sciences will be provided the full text of the vaccination policy.

Key Responsibilities:

Sales and Guest Experience:

• Oversee the development and execution of strategies to enhance guest experience across all touchpoints, including ticketing, tours, programs, retail, cafes, and events.
• Drive revenue generation through ticket sales and special events.
• Collaborate with marketing and development teams to ensure alignment between operational strategies and guest engagement.
• Pricing Leadership:
• Lead strategy and set prices for all museum attendance, ticketing, and revenue-generating experiences and activities.
• Work collaboratively with other departments, including key finance stakeholders, to drive pricing decisions.
• Evaluate and integrate external market trends in pricing strategy and revenue-generating opportunities.
• Information Technology Services:
• Oversee the planning, implementation, and management of IT infrastructure and systems that support the Academy’s operations, research, and educational initiatives.
• Ensure the Academy’s technology is secure, scalable, and aligned with long-term organizational goals.
• Coordinate effectively with the CIO to develop the Academy’s Technology and AI strategy
• Building Operations and Life Support Systems:
• Lead and oversee budgeting and all aspects of building operations, including HVAC systems, energy management, and life support systems critical to maintaining the Academy's unique exhibits, including aquatic life support and environmental controls.
• Ensure all facilities are maintained to the highest standards, optimizing operational costs and resource use while maintaining sustainability goals.
• Supervise building maintenance, utilities management, and green building practices aligned with sustainability goals.
• Public Operations 
• Lead efforts to create positive, engaging interactions with the public, ensuring that all visitors have an enriching experience.
• Oversee and optimize onsite cross-sell and upsell opportunities, enhancing customer engagement and increasing per-visitor revenue.
• Ensure exceptional customer satisfaction by maintaining high standards of employee courtesy, service, and responsiveness.

Key Competencies 

Sales and Revenue Generation

• Formulates and executes data-driven sales strategies to meet and exceed the Academy’s revenue goals, identifying new market opportunities and expanding existing customer relationships.
• Leads and mentors the sales team, setting clear objectives, tracking performance, and ensuring consistent execution of sales tactics. Drives the sales pipeline through effective pricing strategies, lead generation, conversion strategies, and client retention efforts.
• Oversees operational processes that support revenue generation, ensuring alignment between sales and operational teams for smooth service delivery and optimized customer experiences.

Strategic Leadership & Operations Optimization

• Develops and implements a comprehensive operations strategy, ensuring all functions are aligned with the Academy’s mission and long-term goals.
• Collaborates closely with senior leadership to integrate operational strategies across all divisions with a unified approach to revenue growth, driving alignment between customer acquisition strategies and operational capacity.
• Continuously evaluates and identifies opportunities to streamline operations, reduce costs, and enhance service delivery.
• Leads the integration of emerging technologies and best practices into existing operational systems, driving efficiency, scalability, and innovation.

People Leadership

• Inspires and empowers teams across various functions, fostering a culture of accountability, excellence, and collaboration.
• Develops a vision for operations that aligns with the Academy’s values and motivates staff to deliver high-quality, efficient services.
• Leads and mentors a high-performing team, providing guidance to ensure professional growth, operational success, and alignment with organizational goals.

Program and Operations Development

• Oversees the design and optimization of key operational functions, including information technology services, building operations, and guest engagement, in collaboration with the Education, Innovation, and Experience divisions. 
• Ensures that operations support the Academy’s core mission of scientific research, education, and public outreach, delivering a seamless and enriching experience for visitors and stakeholders.
• Balances resource allocation to ensure optimal service delivery while maintaining operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Technology and Infrastructure Integration

• Assesses and integrates technology solutions that enhance operational efficiency, security, and the guest experience.
• Collaborates with IT and facilities teams to ensure robust, scalable infrastructure, including life support systems and building management technologies, are consistently maintained and upgraded.
• Drives innovation by adopting new technologies that align with the Academy’s operational needs and mission, optimizing both internal workflows and public-facing services.

Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration

• Partners with senior leaders, staff, and external stakeholders to create a collaborative environment that fosters continuous improvement and innovation in operational practices.
• Leads change management initiatives to ensure smooth transitions when implementing new operational strategies or technologies.
• Cultivates relationships with industry peers, local communities, and external partners to position the Academy as an operational leader within the science and education sectors.
• Represents the Academy at industry events and forums, building strategic relationships that enhance the organization’s impact and reach.

Budget and Resource Management

• Develops and manages operational budgets, forecasting revenue and expenses, ensuring resources are allocated efficiently to high-impact projects.
• Secures and manages funding opportunities to support operational improvements and strategic initiatives.
• Oversees procurement processes, ensuring that operational tools, technology, and partnerships meet the Academy’s evolving needs while staying within budget constraints.

Evaluation and Reporting

• Establishes key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the impact and success of operational initiatives across all functional areas.
• Uses data-driven insights to assess outcomes and refine operational strategies, reporting progress to the Executive Director, Managing Directors, and other key stakeholders.
• Monitors operational performance and adjusts strategies as needed to ensure the Academy’s objectives are met effectively and efficiently.

Qualifications: A successful candidate will have the following:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).
• A minimum of 15 years of senior leadership experience in sales and operations, with proven success in managing large, complex organizations, ideally within the nonprofit or cultural institution arena.
• Proven experience in budget management, cost optimization, and revenue generation strategies.
• Strong understanding of the diverse functional areas of sales and operations management, including IT, guest experience, and facilities management.
• Demonstrated ability to build cross-functional teams and collaborate effectively with senior leadership, staff, and external stakeholders.
• Exceptional problem-solving, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Commitment to the mission and values of the California Academy of Sciences.

Physical Environment:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Compensation and Benefits:
The salary range for this position is $275,000. Actual compensation will be commensurate with experience, skills/knowledge set, and internal equity. We believe in fair and equitable compensation practices and are committed to providing competitive salaries within the industry and market standards. The Academy offers a total compensation package that emphasizes both base salary and comprehensive benefits based on the hours per week worked. Further details regarding compensation and benefits will be discussed during the interview process.

Schedule: Full-Time, 40 hours per week

APPLICATION PROCESS:
Interested candidates are invited to submit their resume, cover letter, and a portfolio of relevant work (if applicable), and complete the brief online application. We thank you for your interest in the Academy. 

APPLICATION DEADLINE:
Review of applications will begin on March 31, 2025 and will continue until the position is filled. 

The California Academy of Sciences will give full consideration for employment to all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance(SF Police Code, Article 49). 

We are committed to ensuring that all employees and applicants shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, placements, transfers, promotions, compensation, benefits, terminations, training, and social and recreational programs, will be on the basis of qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled. The Academy does not discriminate against qualified applicants or employees with respect to any terms or conditions of employment on account of any characteristic protected by state or federal law or local ordinance. Read our full Equal Opportunity Statement here.