"Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer"

The Opportunity

Temple University, a globally recognized public research institution located in the heart of Philadelphia, is seeking a strategic and visionary Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) to lead a broad portfolio of finance and operations. Reporting directly to President John Fry, the COO will play a critical role in advancing Temple’s mission of opportunity, engagement, and discovery.

As a key member of the University Leadership team, the COO will oversee Budget, Business Affairs and Administration, Finance & Treasury, Human Resources (including Labor Relations), Operations and Facilities Management, and Public Safety. The successful candidate will champion a culture of inclusion, operational excellence, and strategic alignment, ensuring Temple remains a transformative force in higher education.

The COO will manage a $1.3 billion operating budget and lead a team of approximately 840 staff. They will also serve as a strategic partner to the Board of Trustees, providing actionable insights to support effective governance and long- term planning.

The Candidate

The ideal candidate will bring:

• At least 8 years of executive-level experience in finance and administration within higher education, government, or a similarly complex organization.
• Deep expertise in financial planning, budgeting, and treasury management.
• Proven leadership in organizational change and transformation and strategic alignment.
• Experience overseeing facilities and enterprise-wide operations.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience collaborating with academic medical centers or operating within a health sciences environment is a plus.
• A CPA or equivalent certification is preferred.

The Institution

Founded in 1884, Temple University has grown into one of the nation’s most comprehensive and diverse public research universities, serving more than 33,000 students across undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. With 17 schools and colleges and campuses in Philadelphia, Tokyo, and Rome, Temple offers a truly global education.

Temple is classified as an R1 institution by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, placing it among the most active research universities in the country. The university is home to groundbreaking research in medicine, engineering, education, and the arts, and has recently celebrated milestones including a Rhodes Scholar, a Goldwater Scholar, and its largest graduating class.

As Philadelphia’s only public university, Temple plays a vital role in the region’s economic and social development. The university generates nearly $9 billion in economic impact across Pennsylvania and supports over 46,000 jobs. Temple’s commitment to access and affordability makes it a gateway to opportunity for students from all backgrounds.

Temple Health, the university’s academic health system, is a leader in clinical innovation and medical education, with more than 1,700 physicians and 350 researchers driving advances in patient care and biomedical science.

The Process

Temple University has retained Korn Ferry, a national executive recruiting firm, to assist with this search, which is being led by Vickie Antolini, Senior Client Partner; Beau Lambert, Senior Client Partner; and Megan Maxwell, Senior Associate. All nominations, inquiries, and application materials should be submitted in confidence to Korn Ferry. Korn Ferry will begin reviewing applications immediately and continue to accept applications and nominations until the position is filled. Please direct all applications, nominations, and inquiries for the position to the search firm at Megan.Maxwell@KornFerry.com