Chief Operating Officer - 993837 (Florida LambdaRail)

This position is with Florida LambdaRail (FLR), headquartered in Tallahassee. The position is funded under a contractual services agreement with NSU. FLR is a NFP research and education network that manages the backbone network for higher education in Florida.

We are excited that you are considering joining FLR in conjunction with Nova Southeastern University!

Nova Southeastern University (NSU) was founded in 1964, and is a not-for-profit, independent university with a reputation for academic excellence and innovation. Nova Southeastern University offers competitive salaries, a comprehensive benefits package including tuition waiver, retirement plan, excellent medical and dental plans and much more. NSU cares about the health and welfare of its students, faculty, staff, and campus visitors and is a tobacco-free university.

We appreciate your support in making NSU the preeminent place to live, work, study and grow. Thank you for your interest in a career with Nova Southeastern University.

Primary Purpose:

This position serves as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Florida LambdaRail and is responsible for all operating aspects of the company including but not limited to contract management, human resources, and insurance

Job Category: Exempt

Hiring Range: 

Pay Basis:  Annually

Subject to Grant Funding? No  

Essential Job Functions: 

1. Maintaining, sustaining and monitoring a Business Development Program.

2. Developing and coordinating strategic and operational Business Plans (with accompanying initiatives, projects and budget).

3. Operationally assist the FLR Board and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in the management and direction of FLR policies, procedures and guidelines including but not limited to the preparation and distribution of non-binding/binding quotes, connection agreements, and supplemental service order requests for potential and existing network participants; administration and management of virtual services arrangements, contracts, collaborations and partnerships; and also, development and distribution of agenda and support documents for FLR Board meetings, monthly CIO and Executive Committee Chairperson videoconferencing calls.

4. Monitoring, advising and reporting upon statewide, regional and national matters that may operationally affect FLR, LLC, FLR's partner institutions and their affiliates where applicable.

5. Establish and maintain operational points of contact with all FLR partner institutions communications, public or external affairs representatives; and also affiliates, where applicable.

6. Prepare and manage services contracts with FLR’s Human Resources and Network Operations Center (NOC) providers.

7. Coordinate all Human Resources activities to include recruitment, onboarding, evaluation, training, reclassification, etc.

8. Coordinate and manage FLR’s insurance-related activities.

9. Regularly monitor and review outstanding agreements and service requests to ensure timely execution of all services and obligations.

10. Seek opportunities for partnerships with other Regional Operating Networks (RONs), consortia, vendors, etc.

11. Support the Chief Business Development Officers to increase the revenue per directives from the Board of Directors.

12. Frequently inform FLR Partner institutions and affiliates about the services and operating activities of the company.

ESSENTIAL STRATEGIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Serve as primary FLR point of contact for Corporate Operations in consultation with the Chief Executive Officer.

2. Develop and implement an FLR Business Development Program that supports and enables achieving the FLR mission and key external focus areas.

ESSENTIAL OPERATIONAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Policy-making and/or Interpretation: Draft, coordinate and implement FLR Board approved company policies, procedures and guidelines related to all operational areas of the company.

2. Program Direction and Development: Frequent coordination with the DCOO, CTO, CFO, CCO, EUCSS, Legal services as well as other contracted service agents; serve as the primary Operations contact for developing, implementing policies and procedures for the provision of the FLR services; work to ensure the effective delivery, monitoring and sustainment of services and access for FLR partner institutions and affiliates; and also, management of vendor relationships.

3. Statement of Responsibility for Confidential Data: In collaboration with FLR Board and Chief Executive Officer, responsible for the direction and procedure development to control and manage confidential and proprietary information.

4. Statement of Responsibility for Planning and Budgeting: Responsible for providing substantive input to the company's strategic/operational planning and budgeting processes and for performing tasks necessary to achieve company plans. Responsible for the development of operational budgets and in ensuring compliance with budgeting guidelines.

5. Level of Public Contact: Frequent contact with FLR equity partners, affiliates, and potential affiliate staff at various levels from executive to technical at FLR equity partners and affiliates about the full range of FLR policies, procedures, guidelines, planning, and services. Participate in FLR Board meetings and provide information and assistance to the Board members as needed. Serves as primary Corporate Executive staff member to the Business Development Committee.

6. Monetary Responsibility: Management of the Operations budget.

7. Board Relationships: Participates in all scheduled Board of Directors, Business Development, Finance and Research Committees meetings to provide assistance and advice as required.

8. Support Responsibility: Assist, contribute and support FLR Executive Staff initiatives and projects where applicable. Assist the Chief Executive Officer in the development of the FLR Strategic Plan approved by the FLR Board of Directors.

9. Supervision Exercised: Supervisory responsibility for the Deputy Chief Operating Officer

Job Requirements: 

Required Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities: Knowledge:

1. Exceptional planning and budgeting knowledge.

2. Possess and demonstrate expert knowledge of Operations in Regional Optical Network or Higher Education Network environment.

3. Strong working knowledge of Contracts, Operating Agreements, By-Laws, and Board of Directors governance in a Corporate setting.

4. Strong working knowledge of business applications (e.g., CRM, ERP, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Skills:

1. Excellent collaboration, presentation, written and oral communication skills.

2. Excellent planning skills

Abilities:

1. Strong ability to interpret, negotiate and recommend alternative courses of action or plans for decision-making.

2. Demonstrated ability to manage all operational aspects of a regional optical network.

3. Ability to manage multiple business priorities and projects.

4. Ability to work independently.

Physical Requirements and Working Environment:

1. Speech Recognition - Must be able to identify and understand the speech of another person.

2. Speech Clarity - Must be able to speak clearly so others can understand.

3. Near Vision - Must be able to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

4. Travel - Must be able to travel on a daily and/or overnight basis.

5. May be required to work nights or weekends.

6. May be exposed to short, intermittent, and/or prolonged periods of sitting and/or standing in performance of job duties.

7. May be required to accomplish job duties using various types of equipment/supplies, to include but not limited to pens, pencils, and computer keyboards.

Required Certifications/Licensures: 

Required Education: Bachelor's Degree

Major (if required: Business, Accounting, or related field

Required Experience: Bachelor's Degree in an appropriate area and eight (8) years of appropriate experience.

--OR--

Master's Degree in an appropriate area of specialization and six (6) years of appropriate experience.

Preferred Qualifications: 

A minimum of four to six years of corporate executive staff or higher education experience in the management/supervision of a campus or statewide networking organizational unit; national or regional optical networking experience preferred.

Is this a safety sensitive position? No  

Background Screening Required?  Yes  

Pre-Employment Conditions: 

Hiree must reside in the state of Florida or relocate to Florida within three (3) months of hire date. Hiree is responsible for any and all relocation expenses.

Sensitivity Disclaimer: Nova Southeastern University is in full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and does not discriminate with regard to applicants or employees with disabilities and will make reasonable accommodation when necessary.

NSU considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status or any other legally protected status.