Senior Advisor, Operations

Open Society Foundations; New York (NY); On-site; USD 185,000 - 218,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Senior Advisor for Operations to provide strategic guidance and expertise on operational matters. This role involves liaising with senior leaders, managing complex projects, and overseeing budgets while ensuring operational viability. The ideal candidate will have leadership experience in operations, strong project management skills, and a proven track record in change management. Join this dynamic team and contribute to impactful organizational initiatives while enjoying a supportive work environment that values diversity and inclusion.

Benefits

Health and Dental Insurance

Generous Leave

Flexible Work

Retirement Plans

Parental Leave

Qualifications

• Experience in managing large-scale global projects.
• Proven ability to represent operations at senior levels.

Responsibilities

• Serve as liaison for the Vice President with senior leaders.
• Draft and edit materials for the Vice President and leadership.
• Oversee budgets and manage contracts related to the office.

Skills

Leadership in Operations

Project Management

Budget Management

Change Management

Strategic Decision-Making

Job description

Senior Advisor, Operations. Nairobi. Posting Date: 04/24/2025. Deadline: 05/08/2025

Role Title : Senior Advisor, Operations

Contract Type : Regular

Reporting To : Vice President, Programs

Program/Department/Unit Name : Office of the Vice President, Programs

Location : London, New York, Amman, Dakar, Nairobi or Johannesburg

Team Name : Office of the Vice President, Programs

Role Purpose

The purpose of the Senior Advisor – Operations role within the Office of the Vice President, Programs of the Open Society Foundations is to provide strategic advice and expertise to the Vice President, Programs of OSF on cross-cutting operational matters, as well as functional operational priorities of organizational significance. The incumbent will play a key role in liaising within the Office of the Vice President, Programs for all operational functions related to organization-wide projects, operational priorities, and work of significant organizational impact. The Senior Advisor- Operations will advise and contribute to operational workstreams as appropriate and participate in project teams as a representative of the Office of the Vice President when needed, ensuring the views of the Vice President are well represented in various forums.

Key Responsibilities

1. Serve as liaison for the Vice President, Programs with the President's Office, the Chief Operating Officer, and senior leaders regarding operational projects, updates, proposals, and planning.
2. Develop and strengthen relationships with operations leadership; contribute to defining new operational strategies with the Vice President, Programs and relevant leaders.
3. Handle inquiries, develop action plans, and assist with communication preparation and dissemination for the Office of the Vice President, Programs.
4. Ensure operational viability of new opportunities by representing the Office of the Vice President, Programs in operational due diligence activities where appropriate.
5. Represent the Office of the Vice President, Programs in forums focused on organizational culture, collaborating with the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Culture Director, and Operations Associate Directors.
6. Act as the liaison to advance operational priorities, impact investments, and initiatives, excluding programmatic matters handled by the Senior Advisor, Programs.
7. Coordinate timely responses from the Office of the Vice President, Programs on operational issues.
8. Draft and edit briefing memos, statements, talking points, and other materials for the Vice President, Programs, and OSF leadership.
9. Oversee budgets for the Office of the Vice President, Programs, reviewing expenditures against approved budgets.
10. Work with the President/COO and budget offices for quarterly organizational spend reviews, escalating issues as needed.
11. Manage Office budgets, contracts, and invoices related to the Vice Presidents and Program Office Administration.
12. Supervise two colleagues in the Vice President, Programs office.
13. Compile and assess quarterly key data points such as headcount and programmatic spend for the Vice President.

People Responsibilities

Manage a team of 2 staff members.

Key Internal Relationships

Engage with the President and COO’s Office, Senior Director Operations, Operational Directors, General Counsel, FPA Director, and other key staff, including the Administration Officers and People and Culture team.

The Ideal Candidate

• Leadership experience in OSF Operations departments such as Finance, People and Culture, Legal, Risk Management, Security, Facilities, or IT.
• Extensive experience managing large-scale, complex global projects impacting organizational workflows.
• Proven ability to represent OSF operations at senior levels across a global organization.
• Experience in change management, leading teams through organizational change.
• Budget management experience exceeding $1M annually.
• Ability to conceive, design, and manage complex projects across departments and programs.
• Strong knowledge management skills, with minimal supervision.
• Experience in research development and strategic decision-making.

What We Offer

• Opportunities for professional growth, training, and impact.
• Benefits promoting well-being and work-life balance, including generous leave, flexible work, health and dental insurance, retirement plans, parental leave, and more.
• A commitment to diversity and inclusion, encouraging applicants from all backgrounds.

The salary range in the US is $185,235 - $217,923 (USD), with final offers influenced by experience and skills.

Who We Are

Open Society Foundations aim to foster inclusive democracies, promote human rights, and advance equity through grants, advocacy, impact investing, and litigation, guided by our core values of rights, justice, and equity.

Additional Information

We are committed to an inclusive workforce and encourage applications from diverse backgrounds. We provide accommodations for candidates with disabilities.