Open Society Foundations
AssociateDirector,GlobalOperations
“Associate Director, Global Operations at Open Society Foundations. Skills: process management, cross-functional coordination, vendor/stakeholder management, operational metrics, resource planning, continuous improvement. Oversee project management of global projects. Drive execution of cross-functional projects”
What You'll Achieve.
Strengthen how Global Operations coordinates, reports, and delivers priority work; Ensure key OSF strategic priorities are translated into actionable plans and delivered with excellence; Enable consistent execution, governance, and reporting across all operational programs; Ensure workstreams have clear priorities, progress tracking, and effective support; Bring structure, clarity, and momentum to complex work; Ensure strategic and operational alignment across initiatives and geographies; Support the Director of Global Operations to define and execute strategic priorities; Facilitate operational planning cycles, including goal setting, KPI tracking, and performance reviews; Provide insights and recommendations on strategic priorities, project status, and operational improvements; Ensure team members understand how their work contributes to wider organisational priorities; Enable team members to manage their respective workstreams with ownership, accountability, and sound judgement; Deliver consistent progress across global operational priorities
Industry & Context.
Cross-functional problem-solving; Problem-solving skills
Travel is required, Staff are required to work in an Open Society office 50% of working days per month, Flexibility: Willingness to adjust working hours to include calls and discussions with colleagues and vendors located in various geographic regions
What They're Looking For.
Must Have
Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience, Significant experience in operations, strategy, project management, transformation, or business operations within a complex, global, regional, or matrixed organisation, Proven experience leading complex, cross-functional initiatives from planning through execution, including managing risks, dependencies, timelines, and stakeholder alignment, Demonstrable people management experience, including managing, coaching, and holding team members accountable across workstreams or locations, experience developing project governance, reporting rhythms, dashboards, updates, or senior leadership materials that support decision-making, stakeholder management experience, including working with senior leaders and influencing colleagues outside direct reporting lines, Ability to operate in ambiguity, bring structure to complex work, and move priorities forward without waiting for perfect conditions, written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear memos, updates, presentations, and decision documents, Proficiency with project management and collaboration tools such as Asana, Smartsheet, MS Project, Microsoft 365, or similar platforms, Fluency in English and the local language of the office location
Nice to Have
Master's degree, Experience in an international NGO, foundation, philanthropy, development, public sector, or mission-driven environment, PMP, Agile, Lean, Six Sigma, or similar certification, Experience overseeing operational data, KPI reporting, business intelligence, or performance reporting, Experience supporting health and safety, workplace operations, events, or organisational operations workstreams, Experience working across multiple regions, cultures, and time zones
What You'll Do.
Oversee project management of global projects
Drive execution of cross-functional projects
Develop governance frameworks for project execution
Monitor project health
Manage cross-cutting workstreams
Encourage professional development of direct reports
Ensure high standards of data reporting and analysis
Partner with other ADs for alignment
Facilitate alignment across One Operations teams
Lead cadence of operational meetings
Ensure clear communication and documentation
Support Director to define strategic priorities
Facilitate operational planning cycles
Serve as thought partner to other ADs
Provide line management and guidance
Set clear priorities for workstreams
Support professional development of direct reports
Coach team members to manage workstreams
Foster collaborative team environment
Ensure regular check-ins and feedback
Model empathetic leadership
How You'll Work.
Team & Collaboration
Partner with other ADs and their team members to ensure strategic and operational alignment across initiatives and geographies; Facilitate alignment across other One Operations teams, including Global Security and Risk, Finance, People & Culture, IT, Office of General Counsel, Communications and Grants Management, as well as programmatic staff members; Encourage effective collaboration with colleagues across OSF; Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing team environment that supports trust, clarity, shared accountability, and continuous improvement
Communication Scope
Written communication skills; Verbal communication skills; Clear memos; Updates; Presentations; Decision documents; Proactive Communication; Listening skills; Cultural communication differences
Process & Methodology
Project management, Project execution, Project governance, Risk management, Dependency management, Timeline management, Stakeholder alignment
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