Chief Operating Officer
Natural History Museum of Utah
University of Utah


The Natural History Museum of Utah is Utah’s state museum of natural history located
in Salt Lake City at the University of Utah. Housed in the spectacular, new Rio Tinto
Center at the edge of the city and wildlands, the Museum is a major research center for
biodiversity and archaeology, holds 1.6 million objects, and hosts almost 300,000
visitors annually. The Museum consistently is the #1-ranked paid attraction in Trip
Advisor for the Salt Lake City area. To help achieve the strategic goals set for 2017-
2021, the Museum is seeking a new leadership team member to drive continued growth
in visitors and revenues as well as achieve the highest quality in customer service.

 

The Chief Operating Officer will lead the Guest Services, Store, Café, Event Rentals,
and Facilities programs of the Museum; work collaboratively with other departments to
create and implement Museum-wide strategies for maximizing the quality of customer
service; create and implement sales strategies to complement the Museum’s marketing
program and maximize earned revenues; and lead the development of long-range
facility and grounds strategies for the Museum.

Responsibilities
1. Direct the development and implementation of high quality customer service to a
diverse population, staff management, and financial goals;
2. Participates as a member of the Museum’s Leadership Team and works with the
advisory board, setting strategic direction for the Museum;
3. Forecast staffing, capital, and operating budget needs of the Museum by
evaluating market sensitivity, earned revenue performance, space use review,
staff performance and needs, etc.;
4. Work closely with CFO to forecast earned revenues;
5. Manage staff from diverse communities and cultures, including recruitment and
retention, with professional development and ongoing performance evaluation;
6. Manage, support and work with the retail enterprise managers (Guest Services,
Store, Café, and Event Rentals) by collaboratively setting long and short-term
financial goals and data analysis to drive fiscally successful enterprises that best
represent the Museum brand;
7. Manage, support and work with Facilities and Grounds manager to ensure long-
term stewardship of the Museum’s capital assets;
8. Collaborate with the Development Department on membership sales;
9. Serve as primary liaison to the advisory board’s Business Development and
Facilities committees to maximize the earned revenue performance of the
Museum;
10. Facilitate cooperative and collaborative community and institutional relationships
and participate in University- and Museum-wide committees;
11. Explore entrepreneurial opportunities for the Museum.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Business, a related area, or equivalency and eight years of
progressively more responsible management experience. Demonstrated skills in
leadership, management, financial planning and budgeting, human relations and
effective communication, and ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse
communities and cultures. MBA or related graduate degree and retail management
experience preferred.

Application
Please complete the application at https://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/67633 and
submit a cover letter outlining how your experience meets the job responsibilities, a
resume, and a list of three references (these will not be contacted unless we notify you).
Application review will begin September 5, 2017.

Additional Information
Salary: $80,000 to $100,000 plus full benefits
Responsible for generating $2.5-3M in revenue for the Museum
Manages a budget of $1.4M in personnel and non-personnel
The University of Utah is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and is
committed to diversity in its workforce. In compliance with applicable federal and state
laws, University of Utah policy of equal employment opportunity prohibits discrimination
on the basis of race or ethnicity, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, sexual
orientation, gender identity/expression, veteran’s status, status as a qualified person
with a disability, or genetic information. Individuals from historically underrepresented
groups, such as minorities, women, qualified persons with disabilities, and protected
veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. Veterans’ preference is extended to
qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state
law.

Reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to qualified
individuals with disabilities. To request an accommodation or for further information
about University AA/EO policies, please contact the Office of Equal Opportunity and
Affirmative Action, 201 S. Presidents Cr., Rm 135, (801) 581-8365 (V/TDD),
email: [email protected]. This position may require the successful completion of a
criminal background check and/or drug screen.