The South Dakota Science and Technology Authority (SDSTA) owns and operates the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF). The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations functions of the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF). As the second highest-ranking executive, the COO ensures SURF's continued excellence as a premier science facility, overseeing operations, maintenance, and engineering projects. A key member of the SDSTA Executive Leadership team, the COO fosters strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to support SURF’s mission and growth.

Line of Authority

The Chief Operating Officer reports directly to the SURF Laboratory Director and the SDSTA Executive Director.

Functional Responsibilities (include but are not limited to)

Directs day-to-day SURF operations activities

• Serves as point person for all day-to-day activities at SURF in an acting role when the Lab Director is not available.
• Directs the management of operations and maintenance activities.
• Oversees the planning, development, and project oversight of new facilities and infrastructure, and rehabilitation of existing infrastructure.
• Directly responsible for the safety performance across SURF operations activities and personnel. Oversees the operations of SURF systems necessary to ensure a safe working environment in the underground laboratory and surface support facilities.
• Oversees developing and maintaining staffing plans and performing hiring and staff evaluation.
• Supervises the operations directors. Provides direction, mentors staff, and supports operations staff in accomplishing SDSTA’s mission.
• Convenes SURF Facility Advisory Committee (FAC) reviews in partnership with the FAC Chairperson. Leads SDSTA participation in FAC reviews and ensures review recommendations are addressed promptly.

Supports the SURF Laboratory Director in performing strategic planning activities

• Assists in developing the organization's short and long-range plans, goals, and strategies to advance SURF’s mission and objectives and promote its growth and standing within the international science community. 
• Ensures the business processes and operational controls are in place to support those plans, goals, and strategies
• Communicates the SDSTA’s overall vision to staff.
• Supports a climate that ensures SDSTA operates safely and at a high level of productivity.

Develops plans, budgets, and schedules

• Recommends staffing, budgets, and schedules to achieve the SDSTA mission, plans, goals, strategies, and objectives.
• Analyzes facility operations performance and identifies areas of potential cost reduction, program improvement, or policy change.  

Assists the SURF Laboratory Director in evaluating overall SDSTA performance

• Reviews activity reports to determine progress and status in reaching objectives.
• Evaluates processes across multiple functional areas and develops efficiencies and performance improvements.
• Tracks and reports on operating results to ensure consistent growth and progress toward achieving organizational goals.
• Assists the SDSTA Executive Director and SURF Laboratory Director by supporting government, donor, and public relations
• Assists the Executive Director in serving as a key spokesperson for SDSTA.
• Promotes SDSTA to local, regional, national, and international constituencies. 
• Supports communications with donors, government officials, legislators and the general public and advocates for issues relevant to SDSTA.
• May represent the organization in other meetings with key clients, donors or investors, regulatory agencies, or other external parties.

Accountabilities

The COO has the following accountabilities: 

• To the Lab Director for the safe, efficient, and effective management of SDSTA.
• To the SDSTA staff, SURF users, and contractors to establish, operate, and maintain the site infrastructure needed to support the underground and surface facilities.
• To the SDSTA staff to provide open communication as appropriate and adequate resources to do their jobs safely and to create and foster a culture of collaboration and mutual respect. 

Authorities

The Chief Operating Officer has the following authorities: 

• To the SDSTA Executive Leadership team in defining the strategic goals, objectives, and activities for the SDSTA and SURF overall. 
• As directed by the Lab Director, speaks on behalf of the SURF to the media, public, and other groups and organizations. 
• Identifies resource requirements and commits resources to achieve the SDSTA’s goals and objectives. 

Education

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in management, engineering, science, or similar technical domains related to the facility’s operations and development and/or equivalent experience.
• Master’s degree is desired.

Experience

• Minimum 15 years of relevant experience.
• Experience managing the start-up and overall operations of a major organization, large departments, and/or research support facilities or programs is required.
• Extensive experience working with state and federal government agencies and operations supporting highly technical laboratory or facility development and operations environment.
• Experience in federal government contracting and financial management.

Certifications 

• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from the Project Management Institute (PMI) is desired.
• Professional Engineer certification and/or ESH-related certifications are desired. 

Competencies

• Vision and Strategic Thinking: Thinks and acts strategically to set a clear direction and strategy and anticipate challenges and opportunities to keep the team aligned with the organizational vision and ensure the organization moves towards it.   
• Entrepreneurial: Identifies opportunities and encourages resourceful and innovative solutions to problems.
• Political Astuteness: Uses personal influence, combined with an understanding of internal organizational reality and external factors, to positively affect results for the agency.  
• Relationship Building: Develops networks and uses them to strengthen internal and external organizational support.  
• Motivation and Team Building: The ability to inspire and motivate team members, fostering a positive work environment that encourages collaboration, innovation, and high performance.
• Management: Scopes and plans major work packages, builds and organizes complex teams to accomplish objectives, measures results, and delivers successful outcomes.
• Exercises Due Diligence: Manages resources and day-to-day activities in a manner that instills public trust.
• Decision-Making: The capacity to make sound, timely decisions, especially in complex or high-stakes situations, while balancing the needs of stakeholders.
• Communication: Communicates effectively and clearly with a wide range of audiences in both written and oral form. Communicates complex and highly technical topics for all to understand. 
• Accountability and Integrity: The commitment to take responsibility for actions and outcomes, demonstrating ethical behavior, honesty, and respect in all interactions.
• Adaptability: The ability to lead through change, guiding others to adjust to evolving situations, and maintaining focus on long-term objectives.
• Project Planning and Scheduling: Ability to develop comprehensive project plans that outline key milestones, deliverables, timelines, and resource allocations.
• Budgeting and Resource Management: Experienced in managing project budgets and optimizing resource allocation to meet financial goals. Capable of conducting cost estimates, tracking expenditures, and managing project expenses to avoid cost overruns.

Working Requirements

• Proof of a valid driver’s license is required.
• Comply with SDSTA’s safety program.
• Act in accordance with SDSTA’s core values: Safety Focused, Care for Others, Professionalism and Being a Team Player.
• Perform work in a typical office environment with prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Perform work in the SURF underground environment at depths up to 5000 feet.
• Perform limited physical labor and light lifting including walking up and down flights of stairs.

The South Dakota Science & Technology Authority (SDSTA) is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer committed to the development of a diverse workforce. Applicants are invited to self-identify as an individual with a disability or as a protected veteran. Forms are available on the website www.sanfordlab.org/careers or upon request from Human Resources.