Emerald McColey

Business operations professional with 7+ years of experience across higher education, architecture and construction, nonprofit organizations, and high-volume service operations. Expertise in financial administration, budget planning, procurement, contracts, workforce coordination, facilities operations, project management, and process improvement. Proven ability to manage complex operational workflows, analyze financial information, coordinate multidisciplinary teams, and provide leadership with actionable recommendations.

Experienced working across executive leadership, government agencies, contractors, vendors, and cross-functional institutional partners.

Studio Manager at STUDIO CARVER ARCHITECTS (2025-04 – Present)

• Direct business operations across 30+ concurrent architecture and construction projects, overseeing financial administration, project coordination, procurement, contracts, staffing support, and operational priorities
• Manage project and firm-level financial operations using BQE Core, QuickBooks Online, and QuickBooks Workforce, including retainers, budgets, forecasting, billing, AP/AR, expense tracking, and reporting; provide the Principal with financial analysis and recommendations
• Coordinate architecture and construction activities for projects representing approximately $1M–$15M in active project value, including contractor meetings, estimates, proposals, change orders, cost tracking, permitting, schedules, and client communications
• Support hiring, onboarding, training, performance matters, and personnel processes for a five-person multidisciplinary team, while coordinating consultants and contractors across project workflows
• Lead operational improvements through BQE CORE reporting, Microsoft 365, SOPs, templates, file structures, account tracking, and technology systems that improve financial visibility, documentation, and efficiency
• Provide executive support to the Principal Architect through operational reporting, project reviews, financial information, scheduling, meeting preparation, and strategic planning

Events & Administrative Coordinator | Interim Operations & Finance Manager at ARTS COUNCIL FOR MONTEREY COUNTY (2023-06 – 2025-04)

Served as a cross-functional operations and finance lead supporting programs, events, administration, and executive initiatives for a multi-million-dollar nonprofit organization

• Administered program budgets, procurement, AP/AR, expense tracking, QuickBooks Online, vendor agreements, and financial reporting; supported approximately $200K in annual program activity and broader organizational financial operations
• Partnered directly with executive leadership on spending, vendors, staffing, programming, and strategic initiatives, including the Champions of the Arts campaign
• Coordinated volunteers, teaching artists, vendors, government agencies, elected officials, municipalities, and community partners while managing schedules, facilities, logistics, and operational risks
• Improved administrative workflows and negotiated vendor arrangements that reduced event costs by approximately 15% while strengthening operational efficiency and accountability

Administrative Support Coordinator II at CSU MONTEREY BAY – Visual & Performing Arts (2022-01 – 2022-10)

• Coordinated administrative operations, facilities, purchasing, financial transactions, events, and departmental initiatives within a higher education environment
• Managed procurement, recharge billing, expense reconciliation, and financial transactions, including purchases exceeding $20,000, with required departmental and Dean-level authorization
• Coordinated with Facilities Management, Custodial Services, Environmental Health & Safety, Risk Management, University Police, and Campus Planning for facilities, safety, equipment, access, and event operations
• Hired, trained, scheduled, and supervised five Gallery Sitters, managing staffing coverage, attendance issues, payroll coordination, and day-to-day operational concerns
• Supported department leadership through financial tracking, contracts, reporting, executive scheduling, travel, records management, and process improvements

Assistant Store Manager at VAIL RESORTS – Performance Demo Shop (2020-12 – 2021-09)

• Supervised daily operations and an 18-person service and retail team in a high-volume seasonal environment
• Led workforce scheduling, labor forecasting, workload distribution, and resource allocation to maintain service capacity and productivity
• Participated in hiring, onboarding, performance reviews, coaching, and disciplinary processes while maintaining employee accountability
• Identified and implemented an on-site ski-waxing service that expanded service capacity and created an additional revenue opportunity

B.S.B.A. in Management and International Business – California State University, Monterey Bay