Chief Operating Officer

The City of Seattle is seeking a dynamic, results-oriented operations professional with a passion for customer service to serve as Chief Operating Officer (COO) in the Department of Finance and Administrative Services (FAS). In this role, you will direct all aspects of the Operations Business Unit (OBU), which is comprised of more than 250 employees in five divisions.
 
The COO is a transformational leader who can successfully manage current operations while envisioning and realizing an improved, customer-centric future state. Selected candidate will have the opportunity to drive change across a broad scope of services that directly impact public safety and services in our community.

FAS is a of more than 600 employees who provide $200 million a year in services to the City through an . FAS is a collaborative workplace with collective accountability to for all employees. 
 

 

Job Responsibilities:

The COO must possess exceptional strategic leadership skills; a commitment to building and maintaining a diverse workforce and respectful and inclusive work environment; a clear vision for how to achieve progress and results in collaboration with other partners; and a demonstrated history of transparency, accountability, efficiency and innovation. The COO will:
 

Provide executive leadership and oversight to a highly matrixed and diverse team of represented and exempt staff within the following divisions  

• • Capital Development - plans, designs and constructs accessible, cost efficient City facilities and spaces that are operationally sound and environmentally sustainable.
  • Facility Operations - supports, maintains and repairs approximately 3 million square feet of City-owned facilities, including police and fire stations.    
  • Fleet Management - implements the City's green fleets initiative and provides, quality services to meet the City's long- and short-term transportation needs.
  • Real Estate Services - oversees the City's real estate portfolio to protect the best interests of the City and is leading the effort to standardize the City's real estate services.
  • Logistics and Emergency Management - supports FAS and the Office of Emergency Management in the logistics functions of emergency management, provides warehouse, mail distribution, building security and cleaning services.  

Improve customer service delivery

• • Drive innovative efficiencies to improve customer service systems and integrate the services of multiple divisions, and collaborate effectively within FAS and with other departments.
  • Coordinate sensitive and high-priority projects in coordination with the Mayor's Office, department leaders, and key stakeholders.
  • Develop reliable metrics and tools to measure and improve customer service.
  • Create a culture of data stewardship to drive business decisions. Improve upon data systems to create efficiency and create better operations reporting capability.
  • Identify staff development opportunities in support of the FAS pillars and OBU focus areas. 

Lead effective and efficient operations

• • Direct "best in class" administrative and operational functions that demonstrate excellence in fiscal management, program and project planning; capital projects and system-wide maintenance; technology and performance-based management.
  • Identify and implement opportunities to share analytical resources across divisions, including in financial management, asset management, performance measurement and special projects.
  • Strategize the OBU's future operational goals and needs and tailor facility usage, planning and development, and operations to ensure achievement of FAS' strategic business goals.
  • Improve upon seamless collaboration within the operations with a focus on providing clear direction, concise communication, alignment to purpose/goals.
  • Develop and implement OBU process improvement measures to ensure alignment to the Directors office goals/SOPs. 

Champion equity

• • Promote and facilitate a safe, inclusive and equitable workplace that supports employee engagement, innovation and productivity.
  • Lead and facilitate application of racial equity tools.
  • Model best practices for service equity.
  • Identify ways to support equitable outcomes within operations goals.

 

Qualifications:

The successful candidate will be a collaborative, innovative, and experienced leader with a demonstrated commitment to delivering high quality, customer-focused operations. They will have extensive knowledge of, and experience with operations, financial and project management, government structure, procedures, legal requirements, public policy, budgeting, human resource management, labor relations, and municipal services. Their work must be centered in racial equity and demonstrate strong operational ability as well as analytical skills. A candidate's professional practice must reflect a commitment to customer service, accountability and effectiveness and addressing racial and social inequities. Demonstrated success in change management and integration of services in municipal government or a large organization with multiple lines of business is required. A successful candidate will have a reputation for calm and composure during hectic periods, exercising a high level of tact, good judgment, discretion, diplomacy and cooperation in working with diverse groups of people.
 

 

Additional Information:

Please submit the following with your online application: 

• A cover letter describing how your knowledge, skills and abilities prepare you for the job responsibilities and qualifications outlined in the job announcement
• A resume of your educational and professional work experience

Who May Apply: This position is open to all candidates who meet the qualifications. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The Department encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans and those with diverse life experiences. 


Due to the fiduciary nature of the work, job offers are contingent on a Seattle Police Department background investigation, which includes review of criminal history as well as verification of information provided by the applicant as part of the application process. In compliance with Seattle's Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17, applicants will be provided an opportunity to explain or correct background information.