Director, Operations CEO Action

SHRM•Alexandria, VA

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director, Operations, CEO Action, leads the strategic and operational execution of a business-led initiative focused on advancing inclusion, diversity, and culture within organizations. Provides strategic direction for program development, operational effectiveness, stakeholder engagement, and executive-level initiatives to achieve organizational objectives. Develops and presents data-driven insights and recommendations to senior leaders, influences organizational change, and oversees the successful delivery of research, events, and strategic programming. Combines strong business acumen, consultative leadership, and expertise in human capital topics to drive measurable impact and strengthen relationships with executive stakeholders.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, Business Administration, or a related field or relevant equivalent experience in lieu of degree.
Ten (10) or more years of experience in operational leadership, program management, or content delivery, with a focus on workplace issues or diversity and inclusion.
Proven experience designing and presenting data-driven insights to C-suite audiences.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively with and influence C-suite executives to drive change.
Strong track record of managing complex programs and delivering measurable outcomes.
Exceptional consultative skills and ability to provide strategic advice to senior leaders.
Expertise in designing and delivering presentations based on data and insights for C-suite audiences.
Strong knowledge of human capital topics, including inclusion, diversity, and culture transformation.
Excellent strategic thinking skills and business acumen to align initiatives with organizational goals.
Outstanding facilitation, communication, and relationship-building skills.
Proficiency in project management tools, data analysis software, and virtual collaboration platforms.
Ability to manage research workflows and synthesize qualitative and quantitative findings into clear insights.
Event programming skills, including speaker partnership and agenda/content development.
Strategic thinker with a proactive and innovative approach.
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels.
High cultural competence and awareness.
Commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
Ability to effectively leverage artificial intelligence (AI) tools and technologies to streamline workflows, enhance productivity, and improve overall work quality.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree or certification in Diversity and Inclusion, Organizational Psychology, or related field preferred.
Experience managing research, insights, or evaluation projects and converting findings into executive-ready recommendations preferred.
Experience supporting executive-level events or convenings (agenda development, speaker management, or content programming) preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead the operational management of CEO Action, including planning, execution, and optimization of programs and initiatives.
Develop and implement operational strategies that align with the goals of CEO Action, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness across all activities.
Monitor KPIs, manage operational budgets, and ensure alignment with business objectives.
Leverage strategic thinking and business acumen to establish and scale initiatives successfully.
Lead, mentor, and coach direct report(s) by fostering collaboration, growth, and accountability while providing strategic guidance and professional development to ensure continuous improvement and success.
Collaborate with senior leadership and internal teams to identify needs and address challenges related to inclusion, diversity, and culture transformation.
Build and maintain strong relationships with C-suite executives, key stakeholders, and subject matter experts to enhance the impact of initiatives.
Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, providing consultative insights and fostering alignment on organizational strategies.
Represent CEO Action within the organization and in external forums, promoting principles of inclusion, diversity, and cultural transformation.
Develop and present compelling reports and presentations to C-suite executives, highlighting program outcomes, strategic initiatives, and recommendations.
Communicate the value and impact of initiatives to executive stakeholders and organizational members.
Translate research findings and program data into clear, executive-ready insights and actionable recommendations.
Create engaging and informative content on inclusion and diversity tailored for executive audiences, ensuring alignment with strategic goals.
Design and deliver impactful presentations to C-suite executives, utilizing data-driven insights to support recommendations and drive action.
Oversee the development of educational materials, including presentations, workbooks, and digital resources, ensuring they reflect best practices and current research in inclusion and diversity.
Facilitate interactive discussions and workshops, encouraging active executive engagement and commitment.
Evaluate program effectiveness through feedback collection and data analysis, driving continuous improvement in content and delivery methods.
Manage research projects (e.g., surveys, focus groups, benchmarking, member insights, and/or landscape scans) to generate insights that inform strategy, programming, and executive-facing recommendations.
Stay informed on trends, research, and legal requirements related to inclusion and diversity, integrating best practices into program design.
Implement technology-driven enhancements to increase program impact and scalability.
Partner with SHRM’s events team to plan and execute CEO Action convenings, executive roundtables, webinars, conference programming, and other high-impact engagement moments.
Identify, recruit, and prepare speakers (e.g., CEOs, CHROs, subject matter experts), ensuring strong alignment to initiative goals and executive relevance.
Support agenda development, including session design, learning objectives, run-of-show planning, and content sequencing to drive meaningful outcomes.
Collaborate on development of event content and assets (e.g., speaker briefs, talk tracks, session descriptions, slide narratives, and participant resources).
Help evaluate event success through feedback and participation metrics, using findings to strengthen future programming.