Position Information
| Posting Number |
PG196211TM |
| Position Number |
18JH_FT01 |
| Position Type |
Temporary |
| Essential Job Duties |
FutureTEX is building the nation's premier fiber and textile manufacturing innovation ecosystem. The COO will play a foundational role in transforming America's textile industrial base into a stronger, faster, smarter, and more resilient national asset.
Position Summary
FutureTEX is seeking a visionary and execution-focused Chief Operating Officer (
COO) to build, lead, and scale the operational infrastructure of a national Manufacturing Innovation Institute and
OTA Consortium dedicated to strengthening America's textile and fiber manufacturing industrial base.
Reporting directly to the
CEO, the
COO will be responsible for the day-to-day leadership and operational execution of FutureTEX, ensuring the organization delivers measurable outcomes in advanced manufacturing, supply chain resilience, workforce development, commercialization, and national security readiness. The
COO will oversee finance, administration, compliance, human resources, facilities, contracts, information technology, security, membership operations, and performance management while enabling a culture of innovation, accountability, and operational excellence.
The
COO will work closely with the
CEO,
CTO, Chief of Manufacturing, Workforce Development Director, Governance Board, Government Stakeholder Council, industry partners, universities, federal agencies, and consortium members nationwide.
|
| Is Time Limited |
No |
| If Yes, Appointment Length |
|
| Wolfpack Perks and Benefits |
As a Pack member,
you belong here, and can enjoy
exclusive perks
designed to enhance your personal and professional well-being. As you consider this opportunity, we encourage you to review our
Employee Value Proposition and learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone.
What we offer:
- Health Insurance for Temporary Employees
- Enhance your career with LEAD courses
Attend non-revenue generating sporting events for free.
Attain Work-life balance with our
Childcare discounts,
Wellness & Recreation Membership, and
Wellness Programs that aim to build a thriving wolfpack community.
Disclaimer: Perks and Benefit eligibility is based on Part-Time or Full-Time Employment status. Eligibility and Employer Sponsored Plans can be found within each of the links offered.
|
Department Information
| Job City & State |
Gaston College, Kimbrell Campus, Belmont, North Carolina (Headquarters) |
| Department |
FutureTex |
System Information
| Classification Title |
Temporary-Professional NonFaculty |
| Working Title |
Chief Operating Officer (COO) for FutureTex |
Requirements and Preferences
| Work Schedule |
Will vary greatly based upon demands of the projects |
| Other Work/Responsibilities |
Key Responsibilities
Organizational Leadership & Strategy
- Serve as a strategic partner to the CEO in executing FutureTEX's mission, vision, and long-term growth strategy.
- Translate strategic objectives into operational plans, measurable outcomes, budgets, and performance targets.
- Lead operational execution across the FutureTEX hub-and-spoke national ecosystem.
- Develop and maintain organizational dashboards, KPIs, and reporting systems to measure organizational performance.
- Support Board and Governance Committee activities through operational planning, reporting, and performance management.
- Drive a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Operations & Program Administration
- Direct all core business and administrative functions of FutureTEX.
- Develop scalable operating systems, policies, and procedures that support rapid execution while maintaining compliance.
- Ensure effective coordination across technical, workforce, commercialization, and consortium management functions.
- Oversee operational planning for national programs, member services, innovation sprints, workshops, industry days, and annual symposiums.
- Establish business continuity and operational resilience practices.
Finance, Contracts & Compliance
- Oversee budgeting, financial planning, forecasting, reporting, audits, and internal controls.
- Ensure compliance with federal awards, OTA agreements, nonprofit regulations, and applicable government requirements.
- Establish and maintain systems for financial oversight, cost-share validation, milestone-based funding, and project accountability.
- Supervise contract administration, procurement processes, subawards, and project agreement execution.
- Coordinate annual audits and maintain audit-ready financial systems.
Consortium Management & Membership Operations
- Lead operational execution of FutureTEX's national consortium model.
- Oversee membership growth, onboarding, retention, and engagement initiatives.
- Ensure delivery of member services, communications, portal operations, and collaborative activities.
- Support development of strategic partnerships with manufacturers, universities, industry associations, nonprofits, and government stakeholders.
- Drive member satisfaction and measurable member value creation.
Governance & Risk Management
- Implement governance policies approved by the Governance Board.
- Maintain organizational policies covering ethics, conflict of interest, data management, intellectual property, and program administration.
- Lead enterprise risk management and organizational compliance efforts.
- Provide operational support to Governance Board committees, including Audit/Finance, Membership, and Commercialization activities.
- Ensure operational alignment with federal stewardship and nonprofit governance standards.
Security, IT & Digital Infrastructure
- Oversee enterprise information technology, cybersecurity, data governance, and secure collaboration systems.
- Ensure operational readiness for CUI, ITAR, EAR, CMMC, NIST 800-171, and other applicable federal requirements.
- Support development and operation of FutureTEX's secure digital platform and member collaboration environment.
- Coordinate security planning with the CTO, security personnel, and government stakeholders.
Facilities & Infrastructure
- Oversee headquarters operations and national hub-and-spoke infrastructure.
- Manage facilities planning, capital projects, equipment investments, and shared operational assets.
- Ensure efficient utilization of laboratories, pilot facilities, member resources, and collaborative infrastructure.
- Support expansion of FutureTEX's national manufacturing innovation ecosystem.
Performance Management
- Establish KPI frameworks across organizational, operational, financial, and programmatic activities.
- Monitor performance against mission outcomes, budgets, schedules, and strategic objectives.
- Lead quarterly and annual reporting to leadership, boards, funders, and government stakeholders.
- Drive operational excellence through data-driven decision making and continuous improvement methodologies.
|
| Minimum Experience/Education |
- Bachelor's degree in business, Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Supply Chain, Public Administration, or related discipline.
- Minimum 15 years of progressive senior leadership experience.
- Minimum 10 years leading complex multi-stakeholder organizations, consortiums, manufacturing enterprises, innovation institutes, government-funded initiatives, or technology organizations.
|
| Department Required Skills |
- Demonstrated experience managing significant budgets, contracts, and operational teams.
- Experience developing scalable organizational systems and performance management frameworks.
- Knowledge of federal contracting, grants, cooperative agreements, OTA environments, or government-funded programs.
- Strong leadership, organizational, financial, and relationship-building skills.
- Ability to operate effectively across industry, academia, government, and nonprofit sectors.
|
| Preferred Years Experience, Skills, Training, Education |
- Master's degree (MBA, MPA, Engineering Management, Operations, or related field).
- Experience with Manufacturing USA Institutes, Defense Industrial Base initiatives, manufacturing innovation organizations, or public-private partnerships.
- Familiarity with defense, advanced manufacturing, textile manufacturing, supply chain resilience, or workforce development ecosystems.
- Experience building organizations from startup or growth-stage environments.
- Knowledge of compliance frameworks including CMMC, NIST 800-171, ITAR/EAR, and federal audit requirements.
- Active or previous security clearance preferred.
|
| Required License or Certification |
N/A |
| Valid NC Driver's License required? |
Yes |
| Commercial Driver's License Required? |
No |
Recruitment Details
| Anticipated Hiring Range |
Commensurate based on experience |
Applicant Information
| Quick Link |
https://jobs.ncsu.edu/postings/234959 |
| EEO |
NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-513-0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity.
If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or
workatncstate@ncsu.edu.
Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.
NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States. |
|
North Carolina State University
Commensurate based on experience
Sep 17, 2026