Director, Strategy and Operations

World Bank Group • Washington, DC

13d

About The Position

The World Bank Group (WBG) is a global partnership of five institutions - the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the International Development Association (IDA), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), and the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) - with a mission to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity on a livable planet. As one of the largest sources of financing and knowledge for developing countries, we partner with public and private stakeholders to address critical development challenges. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we deploy data, research, and technology to deliver tangible, transformative results. For more information, visit www.worldbankgroup.org.

The Office of the Managing Director and World Bank Group Chief Administrative Officer (MDCAO) is composed of a small group of high performing professionals that support the MDCAO in every aspect of his work. This involves managing interactions across the World Bank Group (WBG), with the Board, the President, and Senior Management, and with internal and external clients and development partners. We are seeking a highly talented and motivated individual for the position of Director, Strategy & Operations to lead the team in supporting the MDCAO.

WBG Chief Administrative Officer, Managing Director, the MDCAO manages the corporate units that deliver core services to the entire World Bank Group (WBG), including among others, institution-wide strategy development and monitoring, budget planning, Information & technology, real estate management, corporate security, general services, health and safety, corporate procurement, shared services, and corporate risk management. In addition, MDCAO is responsible for the provision of administrative support to the Sanctions System. Furthermore, as a member of the WBG’s senior leadership team, MDCAO contributes to all strategic discussions.

The Director of Strategy and Operations (DSO) shall report to the MDCAO and is accountable for performing the responsibilities, modeling the behaviors, and maintaining the technical competencies (listed below). Accountability means being answerable for managing quality, risks, results, institutional initiatives and compliance with Bank policies and procedures. The Director is responsible for performing activities in the following areas:

Requirements

• Master’s degree in relevant field/discipline with substantial professional experience (typically the successful candidate will have about 15 plus years of experience in positions of increasing complexity and responsibility).
• A clear understanding of the World Bank Group’s corporate strategy and priorities, coupled with strong knowledge of WBG operations, and a proven ability to translate strategic intent into actionable support, is essential.
• Demonstrated sustained leadership in meeting client needs and strengthening partnerships, and in influencing relationships within and outside the WBG.
• Recognized experience working effectively across institutional, disciplinary, and cultural boundaries.
• Ability to interact with leaders in different types of organization.
• Ability to lead through influence; ability to let others take the lead, proven ability to delegate and mentor.
• Results-oriented decision making with ability to develop practical solutions, produce high quality work, and effectively prioritize and adapt to competing and unexpected demands.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with demonstrated ability to think strategically and synthesize complex issues (translated into effective oral and written briefs) and to communicate effectively with management and staff at all levels.
• Highly organized and a motivator and leader of high performing diverse teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide substantive input, analysis, and recommendations on issues brought to the MDCAO’s attention, assessing risks, sensitivities, strategic opportunities, and institutional implications.
• Work closely with other members of senior management to ensure that all relevant perspectives and institutional views are fully integrated into briefing notes, speeches, reports, and advice provided to the MDCAO.
• Support the MDCAO’s participation in WBG committees and working groups, ensuring the MDCAO and MDCAO‑unit priorities are effectively represented in cross‑cutting matters.
• Maintain strong partnerships with development partners (MDBs, IFIs) to advance the WBG strategic agenda, strengthen cross‑institutional collaboration, and promote benchmarking and good practice sharing in corporate functions.
• Contribute to corporate stewardship by embracing good corporate citizenship and participating in the development, implementation, and communication of corporate policies, strategies, and priorities.
• Handle special assignments on behalf of the MDCAO, including high‑sensitivity or cross‑WBG initiatives.
• Oversee MDCAO management, strategic issues, and delivery of core commitments.
• Coordinate MDCAO units on HR, organizational issues, budgeting, communications, and challenges. This includes setting and allocating priorities and budgets to align with institutional goals, and ensure units receive adequate budget resources, including contingency access.
• Manage the MDCAO Front Office and the day‑to‑day operations of the MDCAO, ensuring effective workflow management, timely briefings, and smooth operational functioning.
• Ensure appropriate follow‑through on MDCAO decisions and commitments by working closely with WBG units responsible for implementation and action.
• Manage communication flows, documentation, briefing materials, and clearance processes; review documents; prepare or oversee speeches and policy notes; and ensure timely submission of quality materials.
• Establish and maintain robust monitoring and reporting systems to track progress, outcomes, performance indicators, and deliverables across MDCAO units.
• Oversee implementation of MDCAO units’ strategies and establish work‑program priorities consistent with WBG strategic objectives.
• Collaborate with WBG institutions and VPUs to ensure MDCAO units’ products and services are well understood, embedded in operational processes, and effectively used to support planning, decision‑making, risk management, efficiency gains, and improved institutional outcomes.
• Ensure reporting, performance insights, and monitoring data feed directly into strategic planning, course correction, and decision‑making processes.
• Support business continuity, operational security, and staff productivity and wellbeing through effective oversight of systems, routines, and cross‑institutional interfaces.
• Promote transparency, ethical leadership, stewardship of WBG values, and institution‑wide alignment with corporate priorities.
• Strengthen cohesion among corporate units by enhancing linkages, encouraging collaboration, and clarifying roles and interdependencies.
• Contribute actively to institution‑wide reforms, strategy development processes, governance mechanisms, and strategic dialogues across the WBG.
• Lead and inspire MDCAO staff to deliver world-class products and services to clients;
• Champion staff talent development initiatives within Corporate units and across the WBG;
• Manage MDCAO’s office’s staffing strategies, recruitment, training, and skills deployment with focus on diversity and effective implementation of strategic workforce planning;
• Provide technical and strategic leadership to the MDCAO staff who are responsible for assigned portfolios which include functional and corporate accountabilities under the responsibility of the MDCAO; and,
• Oversee the performance evaluation process and support strategic career development and planning across the unit.
• Lead thought leadership, champion management initiatives, and drive debates on relevant corporate unit topics such as corporate scorecards, performance measures, and efficiency standards.
• Represent MDCAO in forums and foster collaboration on strategic performance and management topics.
• Serve as WBG ambassador at external events, promoting performance, efficiency, and management innovation through stakeholder engagement.
• Participate in international meetings to advance WBG priorities and stimulate global debate on corporate effectiveness and management excellence.

Benefits

• The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director