Strategic Operations Coordinator - Center Water, Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Energy

Why RTI

RTI International is an independent, scientific research institute dedicated to improving the human condition. Our vision is to address the world's most critical problems with technical and science-based solutions in pursuit of a better future. Clients rely on us to answer questions that demand an objective and multidisciplinary approach—one that integrates expertise across social, statistical, data, and laboratory sciences, engineering, and other technical disciplines to solve the world’s most challenging problems.

We believe in the promise of science and technical solutions, and we push ourselves every day to deliver on that promise for the good of people, communities, and businesses in the US and around the world. If you are looking for the opportunity to make a real difference, RTI is the place for you.

Are you passionate about addressing critical environmental issues? RTI’s Center for Water, Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Energy Solutions (WARES) improves the human condition by leveraging leading‑edge analytics and multidisciplinary expertise to deliver evidence‑based insights and practical solutions to complex environmental and economic challenges. We are seeking collaborative thinkers to join our multidisciplinary team of experts. In this role, you will work across diverse projects in domestic and international markets, gaining hands‑on experience while helping us bridge the gap between scientific innovation and real‑world solutions.

• Support impactful domestic and international environmental projects.
• Collaborate with leading experts in a supportive, multidisciplinary environment.

You will serve as a strategic force multiplier, orchestrating operational governance across a 70+ person team and a diverse 50+ project portfolio. The Strategic Operations Coordinator serves as the primary operational liaison for the Senior Director, exercising independent judgment to resolve cross‑functional obstacles across the WARES Center. You will act as a pivotal “connective tissue” across technical teams within WARES, independently resolving bottlenecks and developing/maintaining the labor allocation and communication tools necessary for peak efficiency.

By shepherding sub‑domain business strategies and driving strategic growth synthesis, you will ensure that WARES remains agile, resource‑aligned, and positioned for continued growth and expansion.

This position may be based in RTI’s U.S. office in Research Triangle Park, NC, or may be considered for fully remote work from an approved location within the United States. Teleworking is permitted within the United States only and is subject to RTI approval; not all U.S. locations may be eligible.

• Support strategic and operational management across a broad team (70+ staff) and wide-ranging environment portfolio (50+ active projects) in coordination with various RTI staff.
• Serve the sub-domain business strategies by supporting teams to translate ideas into actionable roadmaps, establishing deadlines and KPIs, fostering cross-team synergies and neutralizing bottlenecks to accelerate progress.
• Facilitate achievement of staff DPR targets by proactively managing the long‑term labor allocation and working with Project Managers to match labor availability with project needs.
• Serve as the primary lead for "emergent" opportunities, as requested and/or provide surge support for existing projects or proposal opportunities, with a focus on rapid‑response tasks on either projects or proposals that would otherwise distract technical focal leads.
• Assist in organizing Leadership Team meetings and other high profile activities, including agenda setting, preparing decision support materials and tracking high priority actions items to ensure organizational accountability and momentum.
• Act as a "connective tissue" across the various technical teams within WARES to prevent silos and maximize efficiencies; facilitating lateral communication, ensuring consistent application of new growth goals, and maintaining cultural alignment for staff who may move to new reporting lines.
• Cultivate and leverage strategic…