• Chief Operating Officer
  • Lewis University

Position Information

  • Chief Operating Officer

    Lewis University, located near Chicago in Romeoville, Illinois, invites inquiries, nominations, and applications for its next chief operating officer (COO). This is an in-person leadership role.

    Lewis University is a comprehensive Catholic institution where the traditions of liberal learning and preparation for professional life give the university its educational identity and mission focus. Founded in 1932, Lewis is a dynamic, coeducational university offering 80 undergraduate majors and programs, 35 graduate programs, and two doctoral programs. Lewis University is one of many schools sponsored by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, an international Roman Catholic teaching order.

    Reporting to the president and serving as a key member of the Leadership Team, the chief operating officer (COO) effectively directs the university's strategic, organizational, and administrative operations in support of the Lasallian institutional mission. The COO is responsible for the following functional areas: human resources, information technology, legal, risk and insurance, contracts, facilities, and procurement. The COO manages, directs, supports, and provides professional development for a staff of approximately 80, including six direct reports, as well as a $13 million operating budget and $19.5 million in capital expenditures.

    Public Salary Range: $240,000-$250,000

    Qualifications
    The successful candidate will hold a master's of business administration (MBA) or other relevant master's degree and have extensive and progressive experience in administration, management, budgeting, and financial planning, preferably in a higher education or not-for-profit setting. Additionally, the successful candidate will possess the ability to analyze and effectively communicate financial and budgetary information in the areas of oversight to a variety of constituents, including developing financial models to reflect multiple scenarios and strategic outcomes; the ability to negotiate contracts with various vendors for maximum benefit to the university; and excellent interpersonal, supervisory, and leadership skills, with a high degree of personal and professional ethics, character, and integrity that inspire trust and confidence.

    Application and Nomination
    Lewis University has selected Spelman Johnson, a leading executive search firm, to assist with leading this search. Review of applications will begin July 3, 2024, and continue until the position is filled. Submit a resume and cover letter via https://apptrkr.com/5319389

    • Contact J. Scott Derrick at jsd@spelmanandjohnson.com for confidential inquiries and nominations.

    • Applicants needing reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process should contact Spelman Johnson at 413-529-2895 or email info@spelmanjohnson.com.

    Visit the Lewis University website at http://www.lewisu.edu/

    Lewis University is an equal opportunity employer. Decisions regarding hiring, promotion, termination, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, training, discipline, and all other decisions regarding the terms and conditions of employment will be made without regard to race, color, gender identity, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, marital status, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, disability, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, state or local laws which is unrelated to the ability to perform the job or which can be reasonably accommodated.

Organization Information

  • https://www.lewisu.edu/
  • https://apptrkr.com/5319389