Chief Operating and Strategy Officer

OverviewSpace Center Houston (SCH) is a nonprofit science and space exploration learning destination with extensive education programs. The Center is the cornerstone of the nonprofit 501(c)(3) Manned Space Flight Education Foundation’s science learning mission and offers unique exhibits, space exploration artifacts, immersive experiences, public programs, learning programs for youth and adults, live presentations and hand-on activities that tell the story of NASA’s human space flight program from its beginnings to the challenges and opportunities of today, the evolving commercial space flight sector and plans for the future.SCH’s 250,000 square-foot learning complex welcomes over 1.3 visitors annually, including more than 250,000 educators and youth through field trips and facilitated educational programs. Visitors from around the world enjoy opportunities to view more than 400 space artifacts and changing exhibits related to America’s achievement in space, as well as go behind the scenes on tours of JSC laboratories and research facilities, including the historic Apollo Mission Control Room; the Vehicle Mockup Facility, housing a full-scale engineering model of the International Space Station, astronaut training areas and a robotics laboratory; and Rocket Park, where a Saturn V rocket is on exhibit.Space Center Houston employs approximately 300 full- and part-time staff and engages over 100 volunteers who contribute over 11,000 hours of service annually. The annual operating budget of SCH is close to $50 million.PositionChief Operating and Strategy Officer, Space Center Houston. This role is new to the organization and will be heavily focused on operations while also being almost equally focused on strategic execution. Reporting to the President & CEO, and in partnership with the Chief Marketing & Communications Officer, the Chief Operating and Strategy Officer (COSO) will serve as the executive management leader responsible for devising, coordinating, and facilitating the key actions, activities, and initiatives that are critical in implementing the museum's strategic vision and facilities master plan.ResponsibilitiesLead operational and strategic execution efforts to implement the museum's strategic vision and facilities master plan.Serve as an executive management leader in coordinating key actions and initiatives across the organization.Collaborate with the President & CEO and the Chief Marketing & Communications Officer to align departments around shared goals and drive enterprise-wide results.QualificationsStrategic, forward-thinking leadership with a strong predilection toward action and the ability to balance big-picture vision with attention to detail in delivering results.Significant experience leading complex capital projects and campaigns, particularly within mission-driven, high-performing museums or cultural institutions with annual budgets in excess of $20 million.Background in strategic and operational execution and cross-functional leadership; excels at aligning departments around shared goals and driving results across the enterprise.Senior management and leadership experience with strong business management skills across operating departments and functions.Experience and achievement in managing large-scale capital projects; deep understanding of the space industry valued.U.S. citizenship required for security clearance pensation and BenefitsSalary target around $300,000 and commensurate with experience, with a signing bonus opportunity. Eligible to participate in the Senior Management Incentive Plan, with a year-end bonus of up to 10% of earnings based on individual and organizational performance. Comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision), seven paid holidays, 60 hours of Paid Time Off per quarter, and participation in the 403(b) retirement program.Additional InformationSpace Center Houston promotes a culture of respect, inclusivity and collaboration. It is the policy to recruit, hire, train and promote staff on the basis of individual qualifications and merit without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, veteran status, disability or national origin. Applications and nominations are being received by Kittleman & Associates, LLC. To apply, please send a current resume and letter of introduction to (click on the Apply button at the bottom of the page). For best consideration, submit materials by October 20, 2025. For more information about Space Center Houston please visit and job reference data below are provided for context and are not part of the core COSO pensation $300,000 #J-18808-Ljbffr

Created: 2025-09-24