Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER | CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY

This leadership profile is intended to provide information and assist qualified individuals in assessing their interest in Chapman University and the position of Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer for Chapman University.

About Chapman University

Chapman University, located in the heart of Orange County, California, is an exciting and ever-evolving hub of science, technology, business, and the arts. The university embraces an interdisciplinary approach to teaching, learning, performance, scholarship, and research in its undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs.

Founded in 1861, Chapman serves nearly 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students with a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Students can choose from over 100 areas of study within 11 colleges for a personalized education. Chapman is categorized by the Carnegie Classification as an R2 “high research activity” institution. Supported by an endowment exceeding $1 billion, Chapman continues to fulfill its mission of providing personalized education of distinction.

The Position

The Chapman University Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer (EVP/COO), a senior leadership position reporting to President Matt Parlow, is responsible for directing daily administrative and business operations and bringing innovation, vision, and strategy to achieve the institution’s strategic goals. In collaboration with the president, the EVP/COO provides oversight of campus infrastructure, financial performance, capital projects, instructional technology, safety and emergency preparedness, and human resources.

The EVP/COO has direct reports including: Vice President for Finance and Budget; Chief Investment Officer; Vice President for Finance/Controller; Vice President of Campus Planning and Design; Vice President for Facilities; Vice President of Event Operations; Chief Human Resources Officer; Vice President and Chief Information Officer; Chief Compliance Officer; Vice President for Enterprise Risk and Safety; and Contract Department Heads for Follett and Sodexo. The EVP/COO will be responsible for operations on both the Orange and Rinker (Irvine) campuses.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Translating the institution’s vision into operational plans, managing organizational change, and aligning resources with strategic goals.
• Operational Management: Overseeing non-academic units, including facilities management, campus planning, human resources, information technology, security, and outsourced contract management.
• Financial Stewardship: Ensuring fiscal responsibility, budgetary control, and long-term financial resilience.
• Administrative Efficiency: Improving organizational processes, policies, and performance.
• Stakeholder Relations: Collaborating with faculty, staff, and external partners.

Qualifications

• Seasoned leadership with experience as a COO in a complex higher education environment or equivalent.
• Strong financial acumen and proven experience with resource management, oversight of investment function, budgetary planning, and complex project management.
• Experience with strategic plan development, implementation, and evaluation.
• Proven skills in identifying and assessing risks.
• Strong understanding of functional areas such as campus planning, facilities, human resources, information technology, public safety, compliance, and auxiliary vendor relationships.
• Exceptional communication, collaboration, and management skills.
• Baccalaureate degree required; MBA preferred.
• Experience in the state of California preferred.

The estimated start date is July 1, 2026 (negotiable).