Managing Director, Operations

The Rockefeller Foundation•New York, NY

2d•$250,000 - $290,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Office of the Chief Operating Officer (COO) oversees The Rockefeller Foundation’s operating functions and enterprise infrastructure, ensuring that the people, processes, systems, and resources behind the Foundation’s work are aligned, efficient, and positioned to maximize mission impact. The Managing Director, Operations 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.

Requirements

Generally expected to have 12+ years of relevant experience in strategy, operations, management consulting, or chief of staff roles, including 5+ years of management or leadership experience.
Bachelor’s degree required
Proven experience as a trusted advisor to a senior executive, with the judgment to know when to act on the executive’s behalf and when to escalate.
Track record of leading cross-functional initiatives from strategy through execution, 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 interconnect to support organizational effectiveness.
Experience leading teams or initiatives involving organizational analytics, knowledge management, or technology integration, with the ability to translate complex information into actionable recommendations.
Background supporting executive planning, organizational performance management, and resource allocation, including establishing priorities, evaluating trade-offs, and monitoring results.
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 preferred
Experience in philanthropy or a mission-driven organization preferred.

Responsibilities

Serve as a trusted advisor and thought partner to the COO on operational strategy, organizational priorities, and 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.
Act as the COO’s delegate on high-priority internal matters, representing the COO in executive discussions, facilitating decisions, and driving resolution of cross-functional issues within delegated authority.
Develop executive briefings, analyses, presentations, and communications that prepare the COO for Executive Team, Board of Trustees, and committee engagements and support effective decision-making.
Establish and lead the operating cadence of the Office of the COO, strengthening coordination across the Operations Leadership Team (OLT), clarifying accountability, and ensuring timely decisions and follow-through on operational commitments.
Coordinate annual planning and goal-setting across operating functions, aligning priorities, monitoring performance, identifying risks, and escalating issues requiring executive attention.
Lead high-priority cross-functional initiatives, working across the President’s Office, Program Strategy, and operating teams to translate 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 decisions across operating functions.
Lead and develop teams responsible for organizational data and insights, knowledge management, and executive AI integration, establishing priorities, performance expectations, and accountability for results.
Oversee Foundation-wide performance reporting and dashboards, ensuring leadership has timely, reliable organizational insights to inform strategic and operational decisions.
Direct enterprise knowledge management and records governance, establishing standards and practices that strengthen information accessibility, institutional continuity, and effective 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.