Chief Operating Officer

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Chief Operating Officer

Full‑Time Regular Exec/Sen Lvl & Mgrs

5 days ago Requisition ID: 1517

Salary Range: $195,000.00 To $220,000.00 Annually

Department: Administration
Reports to: President and CEO
Status: Full-time, Salaried, Exempt

About the Seattle Aquarium

At the Seattle Aquarium, our mission is Inspiring Conservation of Our Marine Environment . We are a leading marine conservation organization with a global reputation, recognized as one of the top ten aquariums by attendance in the United States. We work with global leaders to advance animal well‑being, marine and ecosystem science, public policy, field conservation, restoration, and education that benefits our ocean and the planet. With a recent $180 million expansion at the center of Seattle’s waterfront, our annual attendance averages about 1.1 million guests. The Aquarium employs more than 250 full‑ and part‑time employees and supports over 1,000 volunteers.

SALISH Values

• Sustainable – adopting and promoting practices that improve ocean health.
• We‑inspiring – creating captivating experiences for all audiences.
• Learing & Improving – fostering, evaluating, and applying knowledge and discovery.
• Inclusive Community – recognizing that diversity is critical to achieving our mission.
• Scientific Integrity – ensuring our credibility with evidence‑based practices.
• Honoring Place – using our location and history as a lens for larger understanding.

The COO Position

Working alongside the President & CEO, the COO will provide senior operational leadership across the Aquarium, ensuring that day‑to‑day operations, guest experience, staff experience, infrastructure, technology, financial stewardship, and cross‑functional execution are aligned with the Aquarium’s mission and strategic priorities. The COO will lead a portfolio of operational functions directly and work across the executive team to ensure strong coordination among departments, including areas that may not report directly to the COO. As the Aquarium continues to evolve, the COO’s direct reporting structure may shift to best support organizational needs.

Essential Functions

While no two days will look alike, we anticipate the COO will devote their time and attention to the following key priorities:

Strategic Leadership & Execution

• Partner with the Board of Directors, President & CEO, and executive team to shape organizational goals, centering the Aquarium’s mission, values, strategic priorities, and collaborative ways of working.
• Translate strategic priorities into clear operating plans, milestones, resourcing decisions, accountability structures, and communication rhythms.
• Lead ongoing business review and communication of initiatives, report status on implementation progress, and reduce barriers for operational success and accountability.
• Model through daily work how to strategize and lead in a manner that integrates and advances inclusion and regenerative practices in alignment with our SALISH values.

Operational Leadership

• Oversee day‑to‑day operations with the executive team, ensuring a high‑quality guest experience and staff wellbeing.
• Implement and advance sustainable, regenerative, and equity‑centered practices within the Aquarium and advocate for these practices beyond our walls.
• Prioritize and integrate collaborative relationships and initiatives with tribes, local government, and community partners.
• Support the development, growth, and management of the Aquarium’s overall budget, ensuring values and priorities are represented appropriately.
• Identify revenue‑generating opportunities and manage expenses in close collaboration with the VP of Finance to meet or exceed financial objectives.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen operational efficiency, resource stewardship, and organizational sustainability through technology, process improvement, and cross‑functional planning.

Team & Organizational Leadership

• Build, lead, and develop a high‑performing team, fostering collaboration, clear communication, staff wellbeing, and accountability.
• Lead with curiosity and empathy while developing direct reports’ skillsets, building on their strengths and holding them accountable.
• Provide mentorship and coaching to executive leaders through change, growth, and development while fostering a positive, inclusive, and values‑aligned culture.
• Partner with the President & CEO and executive team to strengthen leadership practices across the Aquarium.
• Foster innovation, learning, community engagement, and openness to new creative ideas.
• Model the Aquarium’s leadership expectations and connect staff, volunteers, and partners, actively seeking to understand community experiences.
• Represent the Aquarium at conferences, events, media, boards, coalitions, and committees.
• Serve as a key thought partner to the President & CEO by providing insight rooted in thoughtful analysis of operations, finances, and culture.
• Engage others in line with the Aquarium’s mission, DEI, and SALISH values.

What You Bring

• Passion for the Aquarium’s mission and commitment to advancing SALISH values.
• 10+ years of proven senior leadership experience in a complex, mission‑driven, or visitor‑serving organization, ideally nonprofit, aquarium, zoo, museum, or cultural institution.
• Proven ability to create operational excellence while leading through change, growth, ambiguity, and evolving priorities.
• Ability to translate strategy into clear operating plans, milestones, resources, and accountability.
• Strong operational execution and process discipline, including designing, implementing, and improving systems, workflows, SOPs, and decision‑making structures.
• Strong financial and business acumen with budgeting, forecasting, revenue management, and risk assessment experience.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, and develop senior leaders while building trust, collaboration, and communication across diverse teams.
• Ability to use data and operational indicators to assess health and make informed decisions.
• Strong relationship‑building and communication skills, experience working with executive teams, boards, staff, partners, and stakeholders.
• Commitment to equity and regenerative/sustainability practices, embedding them in decisions, budgets, and culture.
• Understanding or curiosity about marine conservation, sustainability, or public education; experience in conservation or aquarium is a plus.
• Ability to identify risks early and develop effective mitigation strategies.
• Excellent verbal, writing, and editing skills; preference for multilingual or English speakers capable of cross‑cultural communication.

Salary and benefits

The salary range for this position is $195,000 to $220,000 annually, plus a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage; an employer‑funded health reimbursement account; medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts; life insurance; long‑term disability; a 403(b) retirement plan with employer match; access to a subsidized ORCA pass; a Seattle Aquarium Family Plus membership; and generous paid time off.

Note: If offered the position, candidates must pass a background check. Conviction record is not an automatic disqualifier; we are a second‑chance employer.