Open Society Foundations is hiring a Director, Workplace Services & Operations on a 12–18 month fixed-term contract in Nairobi, Mexico City, Bogota or Rio de Janeiro.
Open Society Foundations is hiring a Director, Workplace Services & Operations (Interim) to provide executive leadership across its global workplace services portfolio.
The role covers real estate, facilities management, office operations and related operational support services across a geographically distributed organization. It is a full-time, hybrid, fixed-term position lasting 12–18 months.
Opportunity Overview
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Organization | Open Society Foundations |
| Position | Director, Workplace Services & Operations (Interim) |
| Locations | Nairobi, Mexico City, Bogota, Rio de Janeiro |
| Contract | Fixed-term, 12–18 months |
| Employment | Full time |
| Workstyle | Hybrid |
| Reports to | Chief Operating Officer |
| Department | Office of the COO |
| Team | Global Operations and Real Estate |
| Deadline | October 9, 2026 |
| Job reference | JR-0003851 |
About the Role
The Interim Director will lead the organization’s global workplace services portfolio, with responsibility for maintaining safe, reliable, inclusive and cost-effective services across its international office network.
During the 12–18-month assignment, the role will focus on stabilizing service delivery, integrating currently separate capabilities, clarifying ownership and decision-making, establishing governance and service standards, and developing a future-state operating model.
The position reports to the Chief Operating Officer.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic and Operational Leadership
The Director will:
- Set priorities for global Workplace Services & Operations.
- Maintain continuity, safety, resilience and service quality.
- Advise senior leadership on workplace strategy, risks and investment decisions.
- Develop portfolio plans aligned with organizational priorities.
Operating-Model Transformation
Responsibilities include reviewing current services, structures, capacity, demand, costs, contracts and systems.
The Director will also integrate workplace capabilities, develop a service catalogue, clarify roles and decision rights, and implement an approved future-state operating model.
Governance and Commercial Management
The role includes responsibility for:
- Portfolio governance.
- Risk controls.
- KPIs and SLAs.
- Executive reporting.
- Budgets and forecasts.
- Resource allocation.
- Strategic vendors and contracts.
- Procurement and commercial performance.
- Compliance and risk management.
Stakeholder and Change Leadership
The Director will work with local offices, functional leaders and senior stakeholders to understand operational needs, manage trade-offs and improve workplace services.
The position will also lead consultation, communication and organizational change in an inclusive and culturally sensitive manner.
People Leadership
The Director will lead and coach managers, oversee workforce planning and support the development of teams.
The role has 2 direct reports and 28 FTE in total.
Key Assignment Deliverables
The assignment is expected to produce:
- A validated current-state assessment.
- An agreed service catalogue and accountability framework.
- A prioritized operational improvement plan.
- A performance dashboard and executive reporting cadence.
- A handover plan for the end of the assignment.
Ideal Candidate
The vacancy seeks candidates with substantial senior leadership experience in areas such as:
- Workplace services.
- Corporate real estate.
- Facilities management.
- Office operations.
Candidates should have experience managing multi-country service portfolios and leading organizational transformation, operating-model design and service integration.
Experience with large multidisciplinary teams, budgets, supplier contracts, procurement, commercial negotiations, governance, KPIs, SLAs and executive reporting is also required.
Languages and Travel
Excellent written and spoken English is required, while additional languages are an asset.
Travel is required, with frequency depending on the requirements of the role.
Salary and Benefits
The vacancy states that competitive rates of pay apply, but does not provide a specific salary range.
Benefits listed include:
- Professional development allowance.
- Training and learning opportunities.
- Flexible work arrangements.
- Generous time off.
- Employer-paid health insurance and dental plans.
- Retirement savings plan.
- Life insurance.
- Paid parental leave.
- Reproductive and family planning support.
Employees are also required to work in an Open Society office 50% of working days per month.
Application Deadline
The vacancy states a deadline of October 9, 2026. The job page also displays an end date of October 10, 2026, so applicants should submit their applications before October 9 to follow the specific posting deadline.
How to Apply
Applicants should apply through the official Open Society Foundations careers system for Job Requisition JR-0003851.
Opportunities Feed Assessment
This is a senior operational leadership opportunity focused on global workplace services, facilities, real estate, organizational transformation, commercial management and people leadership.
The assignment is specifically designed around a 12–18-month transformation period, with measurable deliverables including a current-state assessment, service catalogue, improvement plan, performance dashboard and handover plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the position based?
The position can be based in Nairobi, Mexico City, Bogota or Rio de Janeiro.
Is the position full time?
Yes. It is a full-time position.
How long is the contract?
The vacancy states a fixed-term contract of 12–18 months.
Is the role remote?
No. It is listed as hybrid, and staff are required to work in an Open Society office 50% of working days per month.
What experience is required?
The vacancy seeks substantial senior leadership experience in workplace services, corporate real estate, facilities management or office operations, particularly within complex geographically distributed organizations.
Is travel required?
Yes. The vacancy states that travel is required.
What salary is offered?
The vacancy only states that competitive rates of pay apply and does not provide a specific salary range.
What is the application deadline?
The posting gives October 9, 2026 as the deadline.
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