Associate Director, Strategy & Operations
Milken Institute, Washington, District of Columbia, United States
About The Milken Institute
The Milken Institute is a globally minded, publicly supported, non-partisan, and nonprofit think tank headquartered in Santa Monica, with offices in Washington, DC, New York, London, Abu Dhabi, and Singapore. For the past three decades, the Milken Institute has served as a catalyst for practical, scalable solutions to global challenges by connecting human, financial, and educational resources to those who need them. Guided by a conviction that the best ideas, under‑resourced, cannot succeed, we conduct research and analysis and convene top experts, innovators, and influencers from different backgrounds and competing viewpoints. We leverage this expertise and insight to construct programs and policy initiatives. These activities are designed to help people build meaningful lives, in which they can experience health and well‑being, pursue effective education and gainful employment, and access the resources required to create ever‑expanding opportunities for themselves and their broader communities.
Events The Milken Institute’s events and programmatic activities involve the exchange of ideas with leaders from around the world. The Institute hosts more than 200 events each year, with our annual flagship event, Global Conference, bringing together 4,500+ participants from around the world, featuring more than 900+ speakers throughout 200+ sessions over the course of the event.
About Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy One of four pillars at the Milken Institute, Strategic Philanthropy advises individuals, corporations, and foundations on the most strategic ways to ensure their philanthropic investments make an equitable, transformative impact, and offers tools and recommendations for making philanthropy more effective. In addition to in‑depth research, reports, and guides, we design and build programs including funding initiatives, research collaboratives, large‑scale innovation programs, and high‑level events. Finally, we also foster peer learning communities to accelerate knowledge‑sharing and promote partnership. Strategic Philanthropy’s three portfolio of programmatic work include SPARC (Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration), Environmental & Social innovation Philanthropy (ESI), and Philanthropy Leadership Collective (PLC).
About The Position The Associate Director, Strategy & Operations, will support the operationalization of the mission and vision of Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy across all day‑to‑day activities and will play an important role in supporting and connecting the work across the pillar's three portfolios. In this capacity, the Associate Director will contribute to strategic planning, budgeting and resource management, impact monitoring, communications support, talent development, and other operational needs. We are looking for an energetic, experienced professional with excellent planning, management, evaluation, partnership, communications, and presentation skills to join our team in this newly created role.
Responsibilities
Embed across the pillar's three portfolios to provide hands‑on program management support, including executing professional development opportunities, pillar‑level deadlines, etc.
Lead intra‑team process improvement by defining, standardizing where appropriate, documenting, and running key processes across portfolios
Collaborate with portfolio teams to support implementation of new processes and institute‑wide policies
Serve as a connective resource across portfolios, identifying opportunities to share learnings, align approaches, and reduce duplication of effort
Develop and support implementation of a cross‑portfolio learning agenda that captures insights and advances shared knowledge
Support impact tracking and evaluation of Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy's strategic plan and programmatic work
Support the pillar's annual budgeting process and ongoing financial and resource management in close coordination with portfolio leads and the Managing Director(s)
Support recruitment and hiring of new team members across the pillar
Lead onboarding process implementation
Collaborate with teams throughout the organization to ensure support for and integration of Strategic Philanthropy across the Milken Institute
Support other operational functions as needed, including space, IT, and administrative needs
Duties as assigned
Requirements
8+ years of relevant work experience
Graduate degree in a relevant field preferred
Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize multiple work streams
Effective partnership development skills and ability to work with multiple, high‑level internal and external stakeholders
Effective financial and resource management skills including forecasting and budgeting
Ability to facilitate and coordinate diverse individuals to solve specific problems
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messaging for diverse audiences and all levels of leadership
High intellectual capacity that can be and has been applied to learning new areas of philanthropic investment and related fields
Strong ability to work on a fast‑paced collaborative team and be independently proactive
Personal attitude that includes being entrepreneurial, action‑oriented, collaborative, flexible, with a willingness to adapt to changing situations and a good sense of humor
Working Conditions & Travel Requirements This position will work in a professional office environment on a hybrid schedule consisting of three (3) days per week reporting in‑person to the Washington, DC office location (Tuesday – Thursday), with the remaining two (2) days working remotely. Please understand, this schedule is subject to change at the Institute’s sole discretion. This person will also be required to travel occasionally to other offices and/or venues to assist with events as needed, requiring occasional work outside of traditional hours. Additionally, this position requires interacting virtually on a regular basis with Milken Institute staff based in other locations in the United States and around the world.
Note The statements herein are intended to describe the overall nature and level of work being performed by employees and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.
Our Culture The Milken Institute is proud to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or status as a veteran. Every person at the Milken Institute is treated with respect, supported with resources and training, and exposed to a broad range of experiences. We foster a space for growth with opportunities to share knowledge and passion with both clients and colleagues. We are committed to building a diverse workforce and creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. Our leadership is actively involved in our commitment to diversity and inclusion, and fostering a culture that creates opportunities for everyone.
Application Instructions We are interested in qualified candidates who are eligible to work in the United States. Please note, we are not sponsoring visas at this time, being authorized to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment. Please submit resume and cover letter illustrating how your experience and skills will contribute to the department and any unique qualities you bring to the position. If applying via Indeed, please upload your resume and any supporting documentation as one attachment. Any application that does not include both a resume and cover letter will be rejected. If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact our Human Resources department to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.
Benefits
Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
Retirement Plan - 403b (5% match)
Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
Paid Time Off (Personal, Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
Family Leave (Maternity & Paternity)
Fertility Support
Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
Flexible Spending Account (FSAs)
Pet Insurance Discount
Training & Development:
LinkedIn Learning – over 15,000 self‑guided classes offered
Annual Mentor Program
Wellness Resources:
Employee Assistance Program
CALM app membership
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Events The Milken Institute’s events and programmatic activities involve the exchange of ideas with leaders from around the world. The Institute hosts more than 200 events each year, with our annual flagship event, Global Conference, bringing together 4,500+ participants from around the world, featuring more than 900+ speakers throughout 200+ sessions over the course of the event.
About Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy One of four pillars at the Milken Institute, Strategic Philanthropy advises individuals, corporations, and foundations on the most strategic ways to ensure their philanthropic investments make an equitable, transformative impact, and offers tools and recommendations for making philanthropy more effective. In addition to in‑depth research, reports, and guides, we design and build programs including funding initiatives, research collaboratives, large‑scale innovation programs, and high‑level events. Finally, we also foster peer learning communities to accelerate knowledge‑sharing and promote partnership. Strategic Philanthropy’s three portfolio of programmatic work include SPARC (Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration), Environmental & Social innovation Philanthropy (ESI), and Philanthropy Leadership Collective (PLC).
About The Position The Associate Director, Strategy & Operations, will support the operationalization of the mission and vision of Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy across all day‑to‑day activities and will play an important role in supporting and connecting the work across the pillar's three portfolios. In this capacity, the Associate Director will contribute to strategic planning, budgeting and resource management, impact monitoring, communications support, talent development, and other operational needs. We are looking for an energetic, experienced professional with excellent planning, management, evaluation, partnership, communications, and presentation skills to join our team in this newly created role.
Responsibilities
Embed across the pillar's three portfolios to provide hands‑on program management support, including executing professional development opportunities, pillar‑level deadlines, etc.
Lead intra‑team process improvement by defining, standardizing where appropriate, documenting, and running key processes across portfolios
Collaborate with portfolio teams to support implementation of new processes and institute‑wide policies
Serve as a connective resource across portfolios, identifying opportunities to share learnings, align approaches, and reduce duplication of effort
Develop and support implementation of a cross‑portfolio learning agenda that captures insights and advances shared knowledge
Support impact tracking and evaluation of Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy's strategic plan and programmatic work
Support the pillar's annual budgeting process and ongoing financial and resource management in close coordination with portfolio leads and the Managing Director(s)
Support recruitment and hiring of new team members across the pillar
Lead onboarding process implementation
Collaborate with teams throughout the organization to ensure support for and integration of Strategic Philanthropy across the Milken Institute
Support other operational functions as needed, including space, IT, and administrative needs
Duties as assigned
Requirements
8+ years of relevant work experience
Graduate degree in a relevant field preferred
Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize multiple work streams
Effective partnership development skills and ability to work with multiple, high‑level internal and external stakeholders
Effective financial and resource management skills including forecasting and budgeting
Ability to facilitate and coordinate diverse individuals to solve specific problems
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messaging for diverse audiences and all levels of leadership
High intellectual capacity that can be and has been applied to learning new areas of philanthropic investment and related fields
Strong ability to work on a fast‑paced collaborative team and be independently proactive
Personal attitude that includes being entrepreneurial, action‑oriented, collaborative, flexible, with a willingness to adapt to changing situations and a good sense of humor
Working Conditions & Travel Requirements This position will work in a professional office environment on a hybrid schedule consisting of three (3) days per week reporting in‑person to the Washington, DC office location (Tuesday – Thursday), with the remaining two (2) days working remotely. Please understand, this schedule is subject to change at the Institute’s sole discretion. This person will also be required to travel occasionally to other offices and/or venues to assist with events as needed, requiring occasional work outside of traditional hours. Additionally, this position requires interacting virtually on a regular basis with Milken Institute staff based in other locations in the United States and around the world.
Note The statements herein are intended to describe the overall nature and level of work being performed by employees and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.
Our Culture The Milken Institute is proud to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or status as a veteran. Every person at the Milken Institute is treated with respect, supported with resources and training, and exposed to a broad range of experiences. We foster a space for growth with opportunities to share knowledge and passion with both clients and colleagues. We are committed to building a diverse workforce and creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. Our leadership is actively involved in our commitment to diversity and inclusion, and fostering a culture that creates opportunities for everyone.
Application Instructions We are interested in qualified candidates who are eligible to work in the United States. Please note, we are not sponsoring visas at this time, being authorized to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment. Please submit resume and cover letter illustrating how your experience and skills will contribute to the department and any unique qualities you bring to the position. If applying via Indeed, please upload your resume and any supporting documentation as one attachment. Any application that does not include both a resume and cover letter will be rejected. If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact our Human Resources department to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.
Benefits
Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
Retirement Plan - 403b (5% match)
Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
Paid Time Off (Personal, Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
Family Leave (Maternity & Paternity)
Fertility Support
Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
Flexible Spending Account (FSAs)
Pet Insurance Discount
Training & Development:
LinkedIn Learning – over 15,000 self‑guided classes offered
Annual Mentor Program
Wellness Resources:
Employee Assistance Program
CALM app membership
#J-18808-Ljbffr