Deputy Director

The Open Society Institute works to build vibrant and tolerant democracies whose governments are accountable to their citizens. To achieve its mission, OSI seeks to shape public policies that assure greater fairness in political, legal, and economic systems and safeguard fundamental rights. On a local level, OSI implements a range of initiatives to advance justice, education, public health, and independent media. At the same time, OSI builds alliances across borders and continents on issues such as corruption and freedom of information. OSI places a high priority on protecting and improving the lives of marginalized people and communities.

Investor and philanthropist George Soros in 1993 created OSI as a private operating and grantmaking foundation to support his foundations in Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. Those foundations were established, starting in 1984, to help countries make the transition from communism. OSI has expanded the activities of the Soros foundations network to encompass the United States and more than 60 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Each Soros foundation relies on the expertise of boards composed of eminent citizens who determine individual agendas based on local priorities.

OSI’s U.S. Programs is working to build a vibrant society that invites all people to participate fully in civic, economic, and cultural life.  U.S. Programs supports grantmaking, programming, and policy initiatives that: 

• Build an inclusive society that increases opportunity for all while addressing the unique struggles faced by women, people of color, immigrants, poor people, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans.
• Promote civic participation and develop new leaders, especially among communities that have been historically underrepresented.
• Ensure fair criminal justice, immigration, and national security policies, and reduce the over-reliance on incarceration and harsh punishment.
• Increase the transparency, integrity and accountability of institutions vital to open society.

Position description: The Deputy Director of U.S. Programs provides essential operational and administrative support for grantmaking programs that advance social justice and open society in the United States.  U.S. Programs has more than forty staff members in New York City and Baltimore, Maryland, and an annual budget of approximately $100 million.  The Deputy Director reports directly to the Executive Director of U.S. Programs, and is part of an eight-member senior management team for U.S. Programs that works collaboratively to guide all of U.S. Programs.  The Deputy Director oversees two staffing units that support U.S. Programs, the Grantmaking Operations unit and the Finance and Administration unit, and also supervises additional central administrative staff.  The Grantmaking Operations unit supports innovative and strategic grantmaking practices throughout U.S. Programs by documenting program activities and strategies, providing technical assistance to staff and grantees on best practices, and coordinating professional development training.  The Finance and Administration unit oversees all financial matters for U.S. Programs and works with program directors to develop the budget, approximately $100 million annually.  The Deputy Director and his/her staff also work with program directors on programmatic planning needs.  The Deputy Director and his/her staff works closely with OSI’s central administrative departments, including finance, human resources, facilities management, and the general counsel’s office, to support and implement foundation policy and procedures within USP.  The Deputy Director also facilitates intra-staff communication and helps to coordinate external communications within U.S. Programs, working closely with the OSI Communications Department.  The Deputy Director assists the Executive Director and program staff in planning senior management team meetings and U.S. Programs Board meetings.  The Deputy Director also occasionally assists the Executive Director on special programmatic projects.

Key responsibilities:

• Has primary responsibility for oversight of all operational and administrative needs in U.S. Programs.
• Oversees a team of ten staff members that includes the U.S. Programs Grantmaking Operations unit, the U.S. Programs Finance and Administration unit, and administrative support staff.
• Works closely with OSI central administrative departments (including finance, human resources, facilities management and the general counsel’s office) to support and implement foundation policy and procedures within USP.
• Has primary oversight of the grantmaking and operational budget for U.S. Programs, and oversees the development of the annual budget.
• Works with his/her staff and the senior management team to develop strategic planning processes, organize staff retreats, and support organizational development needs.
• In consultation with the Executive Director and senior management team, develops agendas for weekly senior management team meetings, drafts minutes, and facilitates communication and collaboration within the senior management team.
• In consultation with the Executive Director and senior management team, develops agendas for U.S. Programs Board meetings, drafts minutes, oversees meeting logistics, and communicates with Board members.
• Facilitates intra-staff communication within U.S. Programs, and between U.S. Programs and other OSI programs and offices, including the Office of  Network Programs, the Office of International Operations, and OSI-DC.
• Works with U.S. Programs staff and OSI’s communications department to develop communications and media strategies and to draft publications about the work of U.S. Programs.
• Assists in administrative oversight for an affiliated 501 (c) 4 entity, the Open Society Policy Center (OSPC), working closely with OSI and OSPC staff in Washington, DC, and with the general counsel and finance departments; monitors activities of staff doing work for OSPC to ensure compliance with U.S. tax laws.
• Assists the Executive Director on special programmatic projects as needed.

Qualifications:

• College education, advanced degree preferred, and a minimum of ten (10) years of senior leadership experience in non-profit management, philanthropy, government, or organizational consulting, preferably in a large and complex organization.
• Superior interpersonal skills and ability to communicate diplomatically and effectively.
• Excellent management, supervisory and staff development skills.
• Ability to lead and work effectively as a part of a collaborative team and without direct authority.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills, and demonstrated ability to develop and implement systems and procedures.
• Experience in budget development and financial analysis.
• Excellent written and editorial skills.
• Self-starter with ability to set and meet goals.
• Flexibility and willingness to work on a range of tasks.
• Demonstrated interest in social justice issues.

Start Date  ASAP

Compensation  Commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits package.

To Apply

Please email resume and cover letter with salary requirements before March 12, 2010 to: humanresources@sorosny.org Include job code in subject line: DD – USP

OR

Open Society Institute
Human Resources – Code DD – USP
400 West 59th Street
New York, New York 10019

FAX: 212.548.4675

No phone calls, please. The Open Society Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer.