Chief operations officer Jobs in Costa Mesa, CA

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, highly personalized approach to teaching, learning, performance, scholarship, and research in its undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. Chapman University invites dynamic and innovative individuals to apply for the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (EVP/COO).

The Chapman University 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 will be responsible for operations on both the Orange and Rinker (Irvine) campuses of Chapman University.

In time, it is anticipated that a seasoned EVP/COO will examine all aspects of the operation to suggest possibilities to the president for optimizing new technologies and best practices. Moreover, the EVP/COO will review the unit's organizational structure and, should the need arise, make suggestions for greater effectiveness.

The EVP/COO will serve as a member of the executive leadership team and the University’s senior staff (president’s cabinet). Although the EVP/COO will report directly to the president, the role is expected to collaborate effectively with the executive team and other stakeholders, as well as make needed presentations to such bodies as the Board of Trustees, Board of Governors, President’s Cabinet and Faculty Senate.

Chapman University is eager to find an individual who can move expeditiously, bring shape to vision, and provide necessary information and analysis to senior leadership in a timely fashion to ensure institutional momentum.

Key responsibilities, qualifications, and additional information about the position and Chapman University can be found in the leadership profile: https://www.agbsearch.com/searches/executive-vice-president-and-chief-operating-officer-chapman-university

For full consideration, application materials should be submitted through the AGB Search portal system accessible via this link by April 17, 2026. Please direct any questions regarding the application process to ChapmanCOO@agbsearch.com. Nominations and expressions of interest are encouraged and should be directed to ChapmanCOO@agbsearch.com or to the AGB search consultants listed below. All candidate names will remain confidential until finalists are identified during the latter stages of the search. The estimated start date is July 1, 2026 (negotiable), and the anticipated salary range is $450,000-$600,000 per year.

Margaret (Peggy) Plympton, Ed.D.
Principal
margaret.plympton@agbsearch.com

Sally Mason, Ph.D.
Senior Executive Search Consultant
sally.mason@agbsearch.com

Garry Owens, Ph.D.
Senior Executive Search Consultant
garry.owens@agbsearch.com

Chapman University is an equal opportunity employer that provides equal employment opportunities to all individuals, regardless of their protected characteristics. All qualified applicants and employees are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.

This document has been prepared based on the information provided by Chapman University. The material presented in this leadership profile should be relied on for informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this information, the original source documents and information provided by Chapman University would supersede any conflicting information in this document.

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