Chief People, Business, and Operations Officer (Aurora)

Overview

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Chief People, Business, and Operations Officer will oversee our organization's operations and procedures to ensure efficiency and compliance with state guidelines, while advancing the institution’s strategic priorities. The Business Office, Human Resources, Facilities and Capital Planning, Technology Systems, Compliance, and Nutrition Services report to this role. It reports to the President and is a member of the President’s Cabinet. As a Cabinet member, this officer will help drive our strategic priorities outlined in IMSA 2033: Elevating IMSA Everywhere, engaging cross-department teams.

The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA) is internationally recognized for developing creative, ethical leaders in STEM. As a state-created laboratory school, IMSA enrolls talented Illinois students (grades 10-12) in its advanced, residential college preparatory program and supports educators and students nationwide through innovative programs that foster inquiry and imagination (

IMSA is committed to fostering an equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment. Through its Equity and Excellence model, IMSA aims to advance equity in STEM education and representation, creating a diverse community of global citizens who can fully realize their potential and contribute to our mission to improve the human condition.

This position will support IMSA’s Equity and Excellence initiatives by ensuring the delivery of quality, equitable, and inclusive support, while promoting a work environment that embraces diversity and perspectives. The Chief Business and Operations Officer will devise strategies to fund support programs that enable students from Culturally, Linguistically, and Economically Diverse (CLED) backgrounds to succeed.

Responsibilities

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

To perform this role successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities. The responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Providing visionary, strategic, and operational leadership across financial, facilities, personnel, and capital planning activities, including policy development.
• Managing the Academy's annual State budget requests for operating and capital needs in collaboration with the Executive Director of Business and Financial Services, including participation in state hearings.
• Ensuring personnel operations are financially efficient, with financial projections supporting staffing and hiring guidelines.
• Establishing a capital maintenance plan, pursuing high-quality services with reasonable costs, in collaboration with the Executive Director of Facilities and Capital Planning.
• Overseeing technology services and systems to support staff and students efficiently, collaborating with the Director of Technology and supporting strategic initiatives involving technology.
• Supervising departments including Business and Finance, Human Resources, Facilities and Capital Planning, Technology Systems, Compliance, and Nutrition Services. Human Resources supervision may be considered if the candidate has relevant skills and experience.
• Serving as a legal conduit regarding personnel matters.
• Playing a key role in collective bargaining processes and ongoing collaboration with union representatives.
• Leading efforts in state financial and compliance audits through well-maintained records and improvement plans.
• Participating as a leader in the President’s cabinet, especially in leading a Vision 2033 team aligned with strategic priorities.
• Performing other duties as assigned.

Qualifications REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• Senior leadership experience in a complex, dynamic, and innovative institution.
• An MBA or related Master’s degree is required; a CSBO license or similar credentials are preferred.
• Extensive knowledge in budgeting, financial management, modeling, analysis, and projections.
• Experience in capital development and major projects, including financing and revenue projection.
• Proven ability to develop and manage multi-million dollar budgets and conduct financial and compliance audits.
• Experience managing staffing, business operations, human resources, and facilities.
• Proficiency in technology use for accounting, business, and operations management, with an understanding of departmental collaboration.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Work is performed mainly in an office environment with minimal hazards. Significant time is spent on computers. Mobility, communication, hearing, and visual capabilities are required, with reasonable accommodations available.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

This is a full-time, exempt, 12-month leadership position with a salary range of $144,500 to $192,000, based on experience. IMSA offers comprehensive benefits including health coverage, paid time off, and a retirement plan through SURS, which is reciprocal with other Illinois public retirement systems.

IMSA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer committed to diversity and inclusion, making employment decisions based solely on job-related criteria.

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