Managing Director, Office of the Chief Operating Officer

The Rockefeller Foundation•New York, NY

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Office of the Chief Operating Officer (COO) oversees The Rockefeller Foundation’s operating functions and enterprise infrastructure, ensuring that its people, processes, systems, and resources are aligned and effective in advancing the Foundation’s mission. The Managing Director serves as the COO’s principal strategic advisor, translating operational priorities into coordinated action, informed decisions, and measurable results across the Foundation. The role leads high-priority cross-functional initiatives, strengthens alignment and accountability across operating functions, and provides strategic oversight of organizational insights, knowledge management, and executive AI integration. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Managing Director leads the operating rhythm of the Office of the COO, serves as the COO’s delegate and liaison with executive leadership, and directs designated teams and initiatives to advance institutional priorities. The role follows a hybrid schedule and requires working in the office Monday through Thursday. The hiring range is $250,000–$290,000; actual pay varies based on factors including experience.

Requirements

Generally, 12 or more years of relevant experience in strategy, operations, management consulting, or chief of staff roles.
Five or more years of management or leadership experience.
Bachelor’s degree required.
Proven experience serving as a trusted advisor to a senior executive, with sound judgment about when to act on the executive’s behalf and when to escalate.
Track record of leading cross-functional initiatives from strategy through execution and influencing decisions and outcomes across functions without direct authority.
Broad understanding of core operating functions, including finance, human resources, technology, legal, and grants management, and how they work together to support organizational effectiveness.
Experience developing executive-level briefings, presentations, and communications that synthesize complex issues and support informed decision-making.
Sound judgment and discretion in navigating sensitive organizational matters, complex leadership relationships, and confidential information.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree.
Experience leading teams or initiatives involving organizational analytics, knowledge management, or technology integration, and translating complex information into actionable recommendations.
Background supporting executive planning, organizational performance management, and resource allocation, including setting priorities, evaluating trade-offs, and monitoring results.
Experience in philanthropy or a mission-driven organization.

Responsibilities

Advise the COO on operational strategy, organizational priorities, emerging issues, and decisions affecting the Foundation’s operating functions.
Manage the COO’s strategic agenda, aligning executive attention, decision-making, and follow-through with the Foundation’s highest operational priorities.
Represent the COO on high-priority internal matters, facilitate executive decisions, and drive resolution of cross-functional issues within delegated authority.
Develop executive briefings, analyses, presentations, and communications for Executive Team, Board of Trustees, and committee engagements.
Establish and lead the operating cadence of the Office of the COO, strengthening coordination across the Operations Leadership Team, clarifying accountability, and ensuring timely decisions and follow-through.
Coordinate annual planning and goal-setting across operating functions; align priorities, monitor performance, identify risks, and escalate issues requiring executive attention.
Lead high-priority cross-functional initiatives with the President’s Office, Program Strategy, and operating teams, translating institutional priorities into coordinated plans, execution, and measurable outcomes.
Manage the Office of the COO budget and provide analysis and recommendations to inform resource allocation across operating functions.
Lead and develop teams responsible for organizational data and insights, knowledge management, and executive AI integration.
Oversee Foundation-wide performance reporting and dashboards, providing leadership with timely, reliable organizational insights.
Direct enterprise knowledge management and records governance, establishing standards and practices that strengthen information accessibility, institutional continuity, and knowledge sharing.
Coordinate operational risk identification, assessment, and reporting across operating functions in partnership with Legal and other relevant teams.
Oversee executive AI integration for the President’s Office and Executive Leadership Team, guiding priorities, implementation, and adoption in alignment with enterprise architecture and the CFAO-led AI enablement program.