Chief Operating Officer

Terner Labs is seeking a highly motivated and results-oriented Chief Operating Officer (COO) to drive operational excellence and strategic growth. The COO will be a key member of the Terner Labs executive team and the Terner Center & Labs overall leadership team. The COO will oversee the organization's day-to-day operations while strategically aligning operational plans with Terner Labs' mission and long-term goals. The COO will work alongside the Terner Labs Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Investment and Development Officer and will also collaborate closely with the Associate Director of the Terner Center, ensuring alignment where necessary or beneficial.

WHO WE ARE

Terner Labs scales critical housing innovation at the intersection of affordability, equity, and sustainability. Founded by leaders from the Terner Center for Housing Innovation at UC Berkeley, we transform innovative research and policy expertise into actionable tools, programs, and partnerships. We have three main programs: a Housing Venture Lab that supports emerging nonprofit and for-profit entrepreneurs, a Data Solutions Lab that builds data tools for policy decision-makers, and a new Builders Lab that will support firms advancing innovative construction methods to produce new housing. Terner Labs is primarily supported by philanthropic funding with a growing amount of earned revenue from our services.

THE ROLE

Terner Labs is seeking a highly motivated and results-oriented Chief Operating Officer (COO) to drive operational excellence and strategic growth. The COO will be a key member of the Terner Labs executive team and the Terner Center & Labs overall leadership team. The COO will oversee the organization's day-to-day operations while strategically aligning operational plans with Terner Labs' mission and long-term goals. The COO will work alongside the Terner Labs Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Investment and Development Officer and will also collaborate closely with the Associate Director of the Terner Center, ensuring alignment where necessary or beneficial.

The ideal candidate will bring a proven track record of leading and managing growing organizations, as well as a deep understanding of the nonprofit sector. The COO will be a strategic thinker with a passion for housing innovation and a commitment to excellence. The ideal candidate will also possess strong interpersonal skills, be able to build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, and have a demonstrated ability to lead and inspire teams.

The COO will report directly to the CEO of Terner Labs and will work closely with the Board of Directors and other key stakeholders. The COO will manage a team that currently includes a finance manager, an administrative manager, and a communications manager as well as consultants and/or student interns.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Organizational Culture & Leadership

• Coordinate Terner Labs executive team meetings, participate in the cross-Terner leadership team, oversee all Labs team meetings and events, and serve as the Labs’ lead for all cross-Terner activities in order to foster a collaborative, values-driven culture.
• Oversee organizational culture efforts that foster diverse viewpoints and inclusion.
• Lead on organizational effectiveness, efficiency, and culture efforts, including organizational KPI monitoring and reporting.
• Represent the organization with authority to make decisions on key operational matters.
• Steer and coordinate the implementation of short- and long-term strategic and operational plans.
• Oversee external event planning and coordination, including speaking engagements and conferences. Represent Terner Labs at external events and conferences as needed.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including funders, partners, board members, and external vendors.
• Lead strategic projects and initiatives as needed.

Talent Management & Development

• Oversee talent management, recruiting and retaining the best talent to ensure the organization can execute its strategic plan and impact goals.
• Grow talent development systems and structures, including performance management and career advancement models.
• Collaborate with senior leaders and managers to continually improve employee satisfaction and engagement.
• Grow training and development programs to support employee growth and leadership development.

Operations & HR Management

• Lead all internal functions, including internal systems, technology, knowledge management, facilities, HR, and legal.
• Develop and implement robust operational systems and processes to enhance efficiency, productivity, and accountability across all departments.
• Oversee the development and management of operational policies and procedures.
• Partner with Terner Center Associate Director to ensure smooth cross-organization operations and facilities.
• Manage operations resources and team, including administrative and finance managers.

Financial Oversight

• Oversee financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting processes, ensuring the organization's financial health and sustainability.
• Manage financial reporting, including budget vs. actual tracking, key performance indicators (KPIs), and financial statements.
• Oversee contract and grant management, ensuring compliance with all relevant regulations and funding agreements.
• Support fundraising activities to enable strategic revenue generation.

Communications, Strategic Messaging, and Events

• Manage marketing campaigns related to key programmatic events.
• Oversee content development strategy
• Manage communications manager and consultants

Board Management

• Manage and steward Terner Labs board and committees, including board meeting planning and board recruitment.

DESIRED SKILL SETS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Key attributes

• Strategic Visionary: Ability to think strategically and translate organizational goals into actionable operational plans.
• Results-Oriented: Proven track record of achieving measurable results and driving operational excellence.
• Decisive Leader: Confident decision-making, even in ambiguous situations, with a focus on data-driven insights.
• Collaborative, People Leader: Strong interpersonal and communication skills, fostering a culture of trust, transparency, and teamwork with a commitment to grow and develop team members.
• Change Agent: Ability to effectively lead and manage organizational change, including implementing new systems and processes.
• Growth Mindset: Continuously seeks opportunities for improvement and innovation, embracing new challenges and learning experiences.

Technical skills

• Expertise in managing and optimizing all aspects of organizational operations, including talent, finance, HR, technology, and facilities.
• Strong understanding of financial principles and practices, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.
• Working knowledge of California and national housing policies, programs, organizations, and actors.
• Proven ability to lead, mentor, and motivate high-performing teams, fostering a positive and inclusive work environment.
• Excellent project management skills, including planning, execution, and monitoring of projects to ensure timely and successful completion.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate with diverse audiences, including board members, funders, and internal teams.
• Ability to analyze data, identify trends, and make informed decisions based on data-driven insights.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.

Desired professional experience

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• 7+ years of experience in a senior leadership role, preferably in a non-profit, social impact, or housing-focused organization.
• Proven track record of success in managing teams, overseeing talent management, and improving operational performance.
• Proven success in developing and implementing strategic plans and achieving organizational goals.

WHAT YOU’LL EXPERIENCE

The target salary range for this position is $170,000 to $210,000, commensurate with experience. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes: medical, dental, vision, disability, and mental health coverage, 18 vacation days, one sick day a month (accrues), 14 paid holidays, and the opportunity to participate in a generous retirement savings plan matching program.

This position will be located in Oakland, CA, with opportunities for a limited hybrid work schedule (20-40% remote).

Terner Labs is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We encourage individuals to apply who bring lived experience with issues of housing affordability and equity.