Chief Operating Officer

Job Details: Job Location: University of Silicon Valley

• SAN JOSE, CA, Position Type: Full Time, Education Level: Graduate Degree, Salary Range: $180000.00 - $250000.00Salary, Job Shift: Any, Job Category: Education, The University of Silicon Valley About US The University of Silicon Valley (USV) is the world’s first AI-Native University, building on a 137-year legacy of innovation. We are reimagining higher education as a place where builders, creators, and polymaths learn by launching real companies, products, and solutions to tomorrow’s hardest problems. With in-house studios, deep industry ties, and a community of learners who refuse to settle for outdated models, USV is where the future of education is being forged. The Role We are seeking a Chief Operating Officer (COO) to join our executive leadership team. This role is designed for a strategic operator and builder—someone who thrives wearing many hats across recruitment, marketing, student experience, and day-to-day operations. The COO will play a pivotal role in scaling our university, overseeing the execution of strategic initiatives, and ensuring seamless coordination across teams and partners. Reporting to the President & CEO, you will work side-by-side with the other members of the Executive team to steer USV through an ambitious era of growth, creativity, and global impact, turning USV into a world leader in AI-first higher education.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership Lead and optimize day-to-day operations across admissions, marketing, enrollment, academic support, and student services. Provide executive oversight of academic affairs, human resources, campus services, and information technology, aligning each to USV’s strategic priorities and student outcomes.

Develop and lead USV’s growth plans domestically and internationally. Drive cross-departmental alignment to ensure a seamless student, faculty, and partner experience. Recruitment, Enrollment & Growth Lead marketing and enrollment teams to design and execute recruitment strategies that resonate with next-generation learners.

Own the full enrollment lifecycle, from inquiry, application, and admission through yield, onboarding, and retention, using data to set targets and improve conversion. Oversee marketing campaigns, partnerships, and outreach initiatives that position USV as the destination for builders and innovators. Strategic Projects & Studios Help launch and scale USV Studios (Productions, Labs, Agency, Interactive) as engines for real-world learning and industry engagement.

Develop systems and processes that enable students to build companies, products, and portfolios within USV’s ecosystem. Executive Partnership Collaborate closely with the CFO on financial planning, resourcing, and sustainable growth. Partner with the Chief Experience and Partnership Officer to strengthen student experience, industry collaborations, and external partnerships.

Integrate emerging technologies and AI-native workflows into operations alongside the IT Director. Culture & Team Development Build and lead high-performing operational teams that embrace USV’s mission and values. Foster a culture of creativity, accountability, and continuous improvement. Ideal Candidate Proven track record in operations, marketing, enrollment management, or recruitment leadership (preferably within higher education, edtech, or a startup/innovation environment).

Experience leading senior executives across multiple functions, ideally including academic affairs, HR, and IT. Entrepreneurial mindset: comfortable building systems from the ground up and iterating quickly. Strong financial and analytical acumen; able to balance visionary ideas with sustainable operations. Excellent communicator with the ability to inspire teams, engage stakeholders, and represent USV externally.

Experience launching new initiatives, programs, or business units (bonus if tied to education or creative industries).

Qualifications

Required Master’s degree in business administration, higher education administration, public administration, or a related field. Minimum of at least 8-10 years of progressive leadership experience in operations, enrollment, marketing, or general management, including at least 5 years leading senior managers or executives.

Demonstrated experience overseeing multiple functions, such as academic affairs, human resources, information technology, or student services. Proven success in enrollment management, including setting targets, improving conversion, and growing enrollment. Experience with budgeting, financial planning, and data-driven decision-making.

Preferred Doctoral degree (Ed.D., Ph.D., or DBA) or an MBA from an accredited institution. Experience in higher education, edtech, or a startup or innovation environment. Experience with international recruitment or program expansion. Familiarity with accreditation, regulatory compliance, and Title IV or comparable requirements.

Experience launching new programs, business units, or industry partnerships. EEO Statement USV is an Equal Employment Opportunity & Americans with Disabilities Act institution. We value diversity, strive for a more unified campus where all people are valued, treated fairly, and possess a sense of belonging. USV encourages minorities, women, veterans, and persons with disabilities to apply.

Working conditions If the job requires a person to work in special working conditions this should be stated in the job description. Special working conditions cover a range of circumstances from regular evening and weekend work, shift work, required travel, working with challenging clients, and so forth. Physical requirements This job operates in an office environment.

This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is sitting; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds Benefits Paid Time Off (includes individual PTO plus 10 holidays and winter break) Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance Basic Life & AD&D 401k (employee contribution only) Short- & Long-Term Disability Tuition Remission Benefit Other Voluntary Benefits Offered