Operations Manager (Job ID: 2025-3697)

Join one of the most influential most quoted and most trusted think tanks!

The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington DC. Our mission is to conduct in-depth research that leads to new ideas for solving problems facing society at the local national and global level.

We bring together leading experts in government and academia from all over the world rooted in open-minded inquiry and representing diverse points of view who provide the highest quality research policy recommendations and analysis. Research topics cover a full range of public policy issues in economics foreign policy development governance and metropolitan policy.

With fair and transparent business practices clear communication mutual respect and a collaborative atmosphere that offers both professional and personal development opportunities Brookings offers an inclusive and welcoming workplace that values the efforts of all contributors.

The mission of the Office of Communications is to provide the tools strategies products and programs to support the brand and its content and to continually grow Brookingss impact and effectiveness as a change agent for public policy in the United States and around the world. This purpose is realized if we help our scholars raise awareness set the agenda and shape the debate around the public policy issues they choose to address.

Position Location:This position is hybrid. Hybrid positions combine regular in-person presence at our Washington DC office with the option of two days of remote work each week.

Ready to contribute to Brookings success

The Operations Manager provides a broad range of operations & administration support within the Office of Communications including executive administrative support for the Vice President and Managing Director. Works closely with Office of Communications staff and peers across the Institution to coordinate efficient and effective operations for the Central Communications office.

Operations Support for the Office of Communications(50%)

• Under the supervision of the Managing Director handles invoicing contract routing and monthly expense reports for the office.

• Supports the Managing Director with coordinating recruitment processes including scheduling interviews managing job simulation exercises and conducting phone screens and references as required.

• Performs tasks related to onboarding staff and interns including scheduling meetings/trainings preparing onboarding materials and ensuring new staff are set up in SharePoint Teams Workday and other program-standard software etc.

• Assists with Staff Engagement to foster an environment of belonging among all Central Communications Staff. Supports staff engagement activities including logistics and arranging catering for programs events and meetings.

• Provides office management services including serving as primary point-of-contact for organizing maintaining and ordering supplies for the unit including anticipating staff needs and managing inventory.

• Serves as a point of contact for the facilities needs of the program along with the Managing Director. Ensures facilities work tickets are submitted and processed in a timely way.

• Monitor shared inboxes and calendars as assigned distributing messages as appropriate.

• Actively contributes to internal team and/or organizational work that shapes our systems and our culture.

Administrative Support for the Vice President and Managing Director (30%)

• Serves as central point of contact for internal and external requests to the Central Communications office that require the attention of the Vice President (VP) and/or Managing Director answering questions in a timely way using acquired knowledge of Central Comms and sound judgment following up when further information is needed or requested making scheduling recommendations.

• Keeps the VP and Managing Director informed of items that arise throughout the day; uses discretion and judgment to suggest solutions and/or opportunities.

• Tracks action items for the VP and Managing Director to manage and ensure appropriate and timely follow up on internal and external requests for information or decision including attending meetings and taking notes.

• Works with the VP and Managing Director to distribute invitations agendas and materials for regular communications meetings. Responsible for the dissemination of information and taskers from communications team meetings. Proactively tracks status of priorities and projects as requested.

• Provides comprehensive administrative support for the VP. Arranges and coordinates the VPs daily and long-term schedule; handles all incoming requests and prep materials for meetings speaking engagements media interviews etc. for the VP. Maintains key peer-level relationships across Brookings and with external key audiences to support effective calendar maintenance. Maintains VP contacts and email as needed.

• Prepares travel arrangements and itineraries for the VP including logistics materials preparation liaising between offices information gathering booking procurement card and per-diem resolution and ensuring timely follow up.

• Handles all expenses and reimbursement for the VP.

• Handles and coordinates confidential information with complete discretion.

Communications and Project Support(20%)

• Supports integrated communications and outreach campaigns with the creation of content and project management as needed.

• Helps proofread edit and vet written materials to ensure compliance with internal processes and help identify areas for improvement.

• Prioritizes conflicting needs handling matters expeditiously and proactively.

• Follows-through on projects to successful completion often with deadline pressures.

• Manages and ensures appropriate and timely follow-up on internal and external requests for information or action.

• Provides on- and off-site event support as required.

• Helps maintain guides for internal processes and coordination including regular maintenance of internal Office of Communications platforms (Inside Brookings and Daily Sync).

• Other duties as assigned.

Ready to make an impact In this role you will support Brookings values of collegiality respect inclusion diversity and community and bring the following qualifications:

Education/Experience Requirements

Bachelors degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience required. Minimum five years of relevant work experience that includes at least two years of supporting executive level staff. Work experience in a fast-paced professional work environment preferably in a communications media policy government or nonprofit setting. Demonstrated ability to work with senior-level executives; ability to work on independent projects; superior desktop personal computer skills (Microsoft Word Excel PowerPoint Outlook); and solid writing skills required. Orientation to operations and/or administration as a professional be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.

Knowledge/Skill Requirements

Excellent administrative organizational computer and communication skills (including excellent grammar spelling proofreading and editing skills) is required. Must have acute attention to detail and commitment to follow-through be discreet dependable and work quickly while coordinating a variety of tasks simultaneously. A tactful and mature demeanor with ability to interact with all levels of internal and external stakeholders; high degree of professionalism and the ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information; comfortable performing administrative/logistical coordination tasks; strong project management skills; comfortable working with data; ability to think ahead and plan proactively; excellent organization and coordination skills with a high commitment to customer service; ability to multitask and meet multiple deadlines and work well under pressure; mature judgment and ability to prioritize. Ability to work independently and in close cooperation with others.

Additional Information

What can we offer you Brookings provides a generous benefit package that is comprehensive and includes both traditional benefits and unique offerings. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical dental and vision benefits generous time off and workplace flexibility. For more information please visitBrookings Benefits.

Brookings requires that all applicants submit a cover letter and resume. Please attach your cover letter and resume as one document when you apply.Please note: if you have applied to more than one Brookings job opening you should add a position-specific cover letter as aseparateattachment.

Successful completion of a background investigation is required for employment at Brookings.

Brookings welcomes and celebrates diversity in all its forms including diversity of experience thought and personal background. We welcome applications that reflect a variety of backgrounds based on ideology race ethnicity religion national origin gender sexual orientation gender identity or expression disability veteran status first generation college goers and other factors protected by law. Brookings is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace. All selection decisions are based upon merit skills abilities and experience.