Senior Director, Operations

American Museum of Natural History; New York (NY); On-site; USD 165,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

The American Museum of Natural History seeks a Senior Director of Operations to oversee the Operations division's project implementation and support planning needs. The role partners with the Senior Vice President of Operations on capital planning, division finances, and initiative analyses.

Responsibilities include advising on data-driven business cases, coordinating five-year strategic planning, and managing budgets, with a focus on cross-department collaboration and risk management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in finance, business administration, public administration, or another related field.
• 10 years of related progressive experience, including at least five years of project management experience.

Responsibilities

• Support the Operations division in implementing key strategic planning goals across departments, including project management of goal implementation.
• Advise the Senior Vice President of Operations with data, analyses, and business cases to support decision making and partner on long-term divisional initiatives.
• Lead a five-year strategic goal planning exercise for each Operations team, refreshed annually.
• Assist in development of Board reporting and Building and Grounds Committee meetings.
• Collaborate with departmental leadership to ensure alignment, integration, and rollout of inter-departmental projects.
• Use project management tools to manage a complex portfolio of projects from inception to completion.
• Serve as a change management leader to address risks related to the division.
• Manage the Assistant Director of Capital Budget and Planning in tracking complex funding sources and donor inputs; advise on funding balance.

Skills

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master of Public Administration

Job description

Senior Director, Operations

Department

Operational Planning 140

Position Summary

The American Museum of Natural History is one of the world's preeminent scientific and cultural institutions, and has as its mission to discover, interpret, and disseminate information about human cultures, the natural world, and the universe through a wide-ranging program of scientific research, education, and exhibition.

The Operations team is seeking a full-time Senior Director of Operations to manage the Operations division project implementation and support the Operations team on planning needs. The Senior Director supports the Senior Vice President of Operations and Capital Projects in key program and project areas, including the capital planning program, oversight and evaluation of Operations division finances, and needs analyses for each Operations area of investment.

Job duties include, but are not limited to:

• Support the Operations division in implementing key strategic planning goals across departments, including project management of goal implementation.
• Serve as an advisor the the Senior Vice President of Operations, providing data, analyses, and business cases to support decision making. Partner on long-term divisional initiatives.
• Assess, prioritize, and build for each Operations team and lead a five-year strategic goal planning exercise, to be refreshed annually.
• Support the Senior Vice President of Operations in development of Board reporting, including the Building and Grounds Committee meetings, and other meetings as needed.
• Collaborate with departmental leadership to ensure alignment, integration, and rollout of inter-departmental projects.
• Use project management tools and techniques to manage complex portfolio of projects across the division from inception to completion.
• Serve as a change management leader, helping to ensure organizational changes are implemented to address any identified risks related to the division.
• Manage the Assistant Director of Capital Budget and Planning in the tracking of complex sources and uses related to major capital programs, including public funding and procurement requirements and tracking donor sources. Make recommendations to leadership as to which sources should balance needs.
• Manage operational budget needs and track annual changes. Report major issues within the budget.

Salary and Benefits

The expected salary range for the Senior Director of Operations is $165,000/annual - $185,000/annual.

AMNH offers an extensive benefits package designed to meet the needs of our dedicated and diverse community.

Pay will be determined based on several factors. The hiring range for the position at commencement is based on the type of work and the scope of responsibilities. The salary and placement offered is based on a number of individualized factors, including, but not limited to, skills, knowledge, training, education, credentials, areas of specialization, and depth and scope of experience.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in finance, business administration, public administration, or another related field.
• 10 years of related progressive experience, including at least five years of project management experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree.
• Professional experience at a nonprofit and/or in the public sector.

Physical Demands

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position (sitting or standing) for prolonged periods.
• Must be able to move about the Museum campus.

Employment Details

• Category: Full-Time
• Total Number of Scheduled Hours Per Pay Period: 70
• Union Status: Non-Union
• FLSA: Exempt
• Expected Salary Minimum: $165,000/annual
• Expected Salary Maximum: $185,000/annual
• Posting Number: GS1071P
• Open Date: 11/10/2026
• Open Until Filled: Yes
• Quick Link: https://careers.amnh.org/postings/4990

Equal Opportunity

The American Museum of Natural History is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Museum does not discriminate with respect to employment, or admission or access to Museum facilities, programs or activities on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, marital status, partnership status, gender (including sexual harassment), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, pregnancy and lactation accommodations, alienage or citizenship status, current or former participation in the uniformed services, status as a veteran, caregiver, pre-employment marijuana testing, sexual and reproductive health decisions, salary history, national or ethnic origin, height, weight, or on account of any other basis prohibited by applicable City, State, or Federal law. Additional protections are afforded in employment based on arrest or conviction record, status as a victim of domestic violence, stalking and sex offenses, unemployment status, and credit history, in each case to the extent provided by law.