Chief Operating Officer

POSITION SUMMARY:

The American Council on Education (ACE) is a membership organization that leads higher education with a united vision for the future. They galvanize their members to make change and collaborate across the sector to design solutions for today's challenges, serve the needs of a diverse student population, and shape effective public policy. As the major coordinating body for the nation's colleges and universities, ACE's strength lies in their diverse membership of more than 1,600 colleges and universities, related associations, and other organizations in the United States and abroad. ACE is the only major higher education association to represent all types of U.S. accredited, degree-granting colleges and universities. Their members educate two out of every three students in all accredited, degree-granting U.S. institutions.

ACE seeks a Chief Operating Officer (COO) at a key inflection point in its more than 100-year history. The COO serves as a key executive leader, reporting directly to the President and guiding the strategic and tactical direction of ACE's Finance, Human Resources, and Information Technology functions, as well as overseeing administration and operations at One Dupont Circle. Significantly, they will also provide executive and operational leadership for the division that advances the future of higher education through two mission-aligned, entrepreneurial signature ventures which are critical to ACE, institutions of higher education and post-secondary learners (jointly referred to as One Dupont Ventures, or ODV):

• Learning Evaluations (LE)- ACE's national credit evaluation services for exams, courses, occupations, apprenticeships, and learning platforms, including the ACE Military Guide, the ACE National Guide, and the ACE Credit Exchange
• GED Testing Service (GEDTS) - ACE's joint venture with Pearson, formed in 2011 to expand access to the high school equivalency assessment developed and owned by ACE since 1942, which has enabled over 20 million individuals to earn a high school credential.

This role oversees roughly half of the staff at ACE and collaborates with senior leadership and a team of professionals to develop and implement strategies that drive the organization's success and identify new sources of earned revenue. As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, the COO serves as a primary strategic partner with ACE's leadership to achieve organizational goals and objectives effectively. As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, the COO serves as a primary strategic partner with ACE's leadership to achieve organizational goals and objectives effectively. They will lead the organization's drive to adopt the best-in-class operations, procedural efficiencies, and decision-making practices needed to be agile and able to meet the moment and support its members at this critically important moment for higher education.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES OR TASKS:

Leadership of Entrepreneurial Signature Ventures (One Dupont Ventures)

• Provide strategic leadership of One Dupont Ventures (ODV), assuming full P&L responsibility for its portfolio of signature products and services, ensuring financial sustainability, efficient operations, and year-over-year revenue growth.
• Lead the development and execution of new business strategies that align with ACE's mission and generate sources of sustainable, mission-aligned revenue that are not currently being accessed.
• Leverage emerging technologies, including AI, to enhance the reach, efficiency, and revenue of ACE's postsecondary educational offerings designed to enable more learners to complete industry-recognized degrees.
• Ensure the operational excellence, financial responsibility, and strategic alignment of the Learning Evaluation division and its team (comprising approximately 25% of ACE's workforce).
• Proactively manage ACE's partnership and financial arrangement with GED Testing Service.

Information Technology Services

• Provide executive oversight of IT strategy and operations in collaboration with the Chief Information Officer (CIO).
• Align technology investments with business objectives, ensuring competitive advantage and operational efficiency.
• Develop governance frameworks and performance metrics to track initiative success and impact.
• Ensure IT governance, compliance, and risk management strategies align with industry regulations and best practices.
• Optimize resource allocation across projects, ensuring efficiency and financial sustainability.
• Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to drive strategic initiatives forward.

Finance and Budget Management

• Provide executive leadership of F&B function through close collaboration with the Chief Financial Officer.
• Oversee implementation of financial strategies and support program decisions, new initiatives, and resource allocation.
• Oversee the preparation of short- and long-term financial plans, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
• Oversee financial risk management, budgeting, forecasting, and investment strategies.
• Support the President in communicating to the Board of Directors and work closely with the Audit and Finance Committees.
• Promote a culture of financial transparency and collaboration across ACE.

Facilities & Office Services

• Provide executive oversight of the management of ACE's 200,000+ sq. ft. office building, including 16 nonprofit tenants, three retail operations, parking, security, and a conference center.
• Ensure operational efficiency, space planning, and tenant satisfaction in collaboration with the property management team.
• Provide strategic oversight for infrastructure improvements and sustainability initiatives.
• Oversee the management of vendor contracts, budgeting, and financial planning related to facilities management.

The People Team (Human Resources) Services

• Provide executive leadership to the People team, ensuring HR strategies align with ACE's mission and business goals.
• Oversee talent management, recruitment, employee relations, and workforce planning.
• Lead initiatives to foster a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace culture.
• Ensure compliance with labor laws, regulatory requirements, and best practices in HR management.
• Implement HR technology and analytics to drive data-informed decision-making.

Team Leadership

• Assess and develop a diverse, inclusive, and high-performing staff that is well-prepared to meet the ongoing challenges of a first-rate organization.
• Act as an inclusive leader, emphasizing inclusivity in team make-up, decision-making, and division of responsibilities.
• Establish goals in a collaborative manner to empower the team members to take responsibility and ownership for the successful outcomes in their own specialty areas, the department, and ACE overall.
• Partner with President and leadership team on ACE's overarching strategic goals.
• Foster an environment of cohesiveness and collaboration with colleagues across all ACE departments.
• Serve as a collegial and participatory member of the organization's executive leadership team.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE AND COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS:

Required:

• A minimum of fifteen years in roles of increasing responsibility leading operational functions within large, complex organizations, or relevant experience in similar roles adjacent to operations.
• Proven track record in information technology, financial management, business operations, and strategic planning.
• Strong leadership, analytical, and decision-making skills with a strategic mindset.
• Experience building or scaling a business including responsibility for P&L.
• Experience overseeing IT, Finance, HR, and Facilities functions in a complex organizational environment.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to engage at all levels of the organization.
• Deep understanding of non-profit governance, compliance, and best practices.
• Demonstrated commitment to ACE's values and mission.
• Bachelor's degree.

Strongly Preferred:

• MBA or other advanced degree.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT:

This is an onsite position, with four days per week in the office and one telework day available in coordination with the team.

Targeted salary range: $325,000 - 375,000.

Benefits Overview:

We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package, including:

• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• 403B with matching incentive + employer contribution
• Short term disability/Long term disability/Life insurance
• Generous PTO package
• Paid Parental Leave
• 13 paid holidays + week between Christmas Eve & New Years Off
• Professional Development Opportunities
• ....and more!

For a full summary of our benefits, please reach out to the Recruiting Team.

Russell Reynolds Associates has been exclusively retained for this search and prospective candidates are invited to contact Russell Reynolds Associates directly at acecoo@russellreynolds.com. All inquiries and discussions will be considered strictly confidential.