Deputy Chief Operating Officer

About San Francisco Bay University:

San Francisco Bay University (SFBU), a nonprofit, WASC-accredited, university situated in the heart of Silicon Valley in Fremont, California, seeks an innovative and experienced Interim Deputy Chief Operating Officer. SFBU’s mission is to offer inclusive, innovative, and inspirational education for lifelong careers and our vision is to set the standard as a national model of higher education in service of the common good.

At SFBU, students come first. We prioritize students’ needs by fostering personal engagement among students, faculty, and staff. We are committed to providing affordable quality education with a deep commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice.

We encourage you to learn more about SFBU by reviewing our strategic plan at https://www.sfbu.edu/strategic-plan.

Position Overview:

The Deputy Chief Operating Officer provides critical operational support to the Office of the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. This fixed-term position is responsible for advising on institutional operations, driving cross-departmental collaboration, ensuring compliance, and supporting strategic initiatives aligned with SFBU’s goals and priorities.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

Partner with SFBU departments and managers to enhance operational efficiency, manage risk, and ensure adherence to compliance standards and requirements set by external regulatory agencies and internal policies.
Conduct in-depth research and analysis to inform executive decision-making and support the development of institutional policies and procedures.
Draft clear and effective policies and procedures that bolster operational effectiveness and ensure regulatory compliance across university functions.
Contribute to the development and implementation of operational goals for Academic Year 2025–2026, ensuring alignment with SFBU’s strategic plan and institutional priorities.
Provide guidance to operations staff and support the implementation of policies, procedures, and ongoing continuous improvement initiatives.
Coordinate and support recruitment processes for key personnel, as assigned by the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.
Carry out other responsibilities and assignments as delegated by the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer to support the comprehensive delivery of operational services.
Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Master’s degree and 3–5 years of progressively responsible experience in executive-level support, strategic operations, or institutional planning; or
Bachelor’s degree with 7–10 years of increasingly responsible professional experience in complex organizations (e.g., higher education, nonprofit, government, or mission-driven industry).Demonstrated success in managing multiple priorities across departments or functions.
Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Exceptional interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with senior leadership, faculty, staff, students, trustees, alumni, donors, and external stakeholders.
Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and deliver high-quality, responsive service.
Experience leading or supporting organizational change or institutional strategic planning efforts.
Ability to operate independently and exercise sound, strategic judgment in a fast-paced, confidential, and evolving environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

Advanced degree (e.g., EdD, PhD, MBA, MPA, or JD) in higher education leadership, public administration, business administration, law, or a closely related field.
Experience supporting a President, Chancellor, or C-level executive in a complex organization.
Familiarity with Board governance and executive-level communications.
Project management experience, particularly with cross-functional or strategic initiatives.
Appreciation for academia and the ability to work on strategic and operational initiatives in an academic environment.
Experience managing a President’s or Chancellor’s Office, including staff supervision and budget oversight.
Experience in event planning or coordination at the executive level, including board meetings or donor events.
Familiarity with higher education compliance, accreditation (e.g., WASC), and institutional effectiveness frameworks.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Strong organizational and time management skills; ability to set priorities and meet deadlines.
Collaborative work style and the ability to maintain productive relationships across executive, internal, and external stakeholders.
High attention to detail with an analytical orientation.
Excellent writing, editing, and presentation skills.
Ability to work calmly and accurately under pressure.
Demonstrated ability to learn quickly and adapt to change.
Ability to define clear objectives and enforce accountability.
Skilled in navigating and influencing within complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
Comfortable working across both strategic planning and daily operational tasks.
Ability to manage up, across, and down in a matrixed leadership environment.
Strong facilitation skills for leading meetings, retreats, or cross-functional teams.
Advanced proficiency in productivity tools (e.g., Google Workspace or Microsoft Office), project management software, and virtual collaboration platforms.

Work Environment & Physical Demands (Examples listed below)

Job duties are typically performed in an office environment.
Physical demands may include lifting up to 20 lbs, bending, sitting, and driving.
The employee is occasionally required to sit or stand for long periods.

Salary Range: $190,000 – $230,000 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

This position description is not intended to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time, with or without notice.

SFBU is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer: SFBU is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants for employment. SFBU does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices based on race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by law.

In accordance with federal and state disability laws, San Francisco Bay University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you require assistance during the application or interview process, please contact SFBU Human Resources at hrmgr@sfbu.edu.