American Academy in Rome · 3 months ago
Chief Operating Officer
New York, NY
Full-time
Hybrid
Director/Executive
$215K/yr - $265K/yr
10+ years expThe American Academy in Rome is seeking a Chief Operating Officer (COO) to oversee the day-to-day financial management and operations of the institution. The COO will be responsible for ensuring efficient and compliant execution of all support functions, managing strategic execution across financial, operational, and administrative domains, and leading a team of eight direct reports across seven departments.
CommunitiesNon ProfitPersonal Development
Responsibilities
Serve as a key member of the Executive Leadership Team (ELT), which meets regularly to align on strategy, advise the President and CEO, coordinate cross-departmental priorities, and strengthen the Academy’s overall effectiveness
Manage alignment and execution of AAR’s operational systems with its mission, programs, and long-term strategic goals
Lead and establish policy and protocols for high-quality and efficient operations within a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement across the organization
Represent the Academy internally at Board meetings, meals with Fellows and visitors, and externally with stakeholders, partners, and counterparts in both Italy and the U.S
Serve as the chief financial steward of the Academy, acting as a strategic partner to the President and ELT to ensure the Academy’s short- and long-term financial health, sustainability, and capacity for strategic growth
Manage the Finance function, overseeing budgeting, forecasting, multi-year financial planning, reporting, cash flow management, and audit processes
Oversee the endowment through regular communication with the institution’s outside investment advisors
Ensure compliance with all applicable U.S. and Italian laws and regulations, including maintenance of tax-exempt status in both countries
Bring international experience with U.S. GAAP and other accounting standards, ensuring compliant, transparent financial management across currencies, transactions, and jurisdictions
Advise and liaise with key Board committees—Audit, Compensation, Executive, Finance, Investment, and Plant, Planning & Preservation—providing clear, timely financial analysis, risk assessments, and strategic recommendations
Manage relationships with external auditors, investment advisors, and other financial partners to safeguard assets and optimize returns in line with mission and risk tolerance
Manage daily operations and strategy of Finance, Facilities, Residential Life, Sustainable Food Program, HR, and IT
Ensure compliance with Italian and U.S. laws and regulations governing non-profit organizations
Maintain and update institutional policies, including risk management, insurance, contracting, and legal compliance across both countries
Oversee the Academy’s contractual relationship with Janus S.r.l., the entity leasing Villa Aurelia, to ensure well-managed operations and fiscal accountability
Partner in guiding and executing on institutional planning, including strategic planning, KPIs, and performance tracking
Develop and maintain internal controls to safeguard assets and institutional integrity
Oversee the high-quality operation and preservation of AAR’s historic campus, including residential facilities, gardens, kitchen/dining services, and common areas
Lead the Residential Life team to ensure the highest standards in housing, dining, and hospitality for Fellows, Residents, Visiting Artists/Scholars, Trustees, and Guests. This includes managing room quality and upkeep, occupancy logistics, dining services, and the operational details that underpin a seamless residential experience, distinct from the programmatic and intellectual dimensions led by the Programs team
Ensure security, health, and safety protocols are observed across campus
Supervise capital improvements, renovations, and routine maintenance within the priorities of strategic planning
In collaboration with the Director, oversee the Sustainable Food Program. Where the Director has primary responsibility for the intersection of food and programming, the COO has primary responsibility for staffing, costs, and materials
Lead strategic workforce planning, employee relations, performance management, and staff development across departments
Recruit, develop, and retain high-performing staff across operational and administrative functions; exercise authority in hiring and separation decisions in alignment with institutional policies and culture
Ensure equitable and transparent HR policies, compliant with U.S. and Italian labor law and relevant international best practices
Cultivate an organizational culture that reflects AAR’s values of intellectual courage, excellence without elitism, civic responsibility, Roman roots, collaboration and exchange, and stewardship of the future
Manage payroll, contracts, benefits administration, and legal compliance in collaboration with external service providers
Manage strategic development of IT infrastructure, including systems support for administration, programs, risk management, and communications
Ensure data security and continuity of operations across platforms (finance, HR, digital archives, library systems)
Align digital tools with staff and fellow/resident needs; support innovation in remote and hybrid program delivery
Act as liaison with legal counsel, government offices in both the U.S. and Italy, vendors, and other institutions as needed
Represent AAR’s interests in operational matters with authorities, contractors, and external stakeholders in both geographies
Support special projects and strategic initiatives as delegated by the President
Qualification
Required
Bilingual and cross-cultural fluency
Exceptional management skills
Expertise in financial operations and administration
Preferred
10+ years of senior operational and finance leadership experience in nonprofit and/or for-profit organizations, ideally with cross-border responsibilities
Strong background in financial management, strategic planning, compliance, and risk management in a multinational context
Fluency in English required; proficiency in Italian strongly preferred
Experience leading and managing cross-functional teams and working across cultures
Demonstrated ability to manage complex budgets, capital projects, and internal systems
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; tactful, discerning, strategic, consensus-builder, and collaborative
Company
American Academy in Rome
American Academy in Rome helps innovative artists, writers, and scholars living and working together in a dynamic international community.
51-200 employees
H1B Sponsorship
American Academy in Rome has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2024 (1)
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageLeadership Team
Bill Smith
BiographyPARTNER projects
Sally Benner
Chief Development Officer
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