Operations Manager, Research Foundation

About the Role

Operations Manager, Research Foundation is a key operational partner to the Research Foundation Board of Trustees and Executive Committee, executing strategic priorities, governance activities, publication oversight, and stakeholder engagement on their behalf. The role sits at the intersection of Board priorities, research activities, operational processes, and external engagement. Working closely with Board leadership, Research Directors, the Business Operations Associate, RPC leadership, CFA Institute functions, and external stakeholders, you'll lead strategic planning activities, monitor progress against objectives, support governance processes, and keep communication flowing across a complex, multi-stakeholder environment.

This role has dual reporting to the Head, Content Asset Strategy and the Research Foundation Board Chair.

• Lead implementation of the Research Foundation's strategic plan and annual priorities, tracking progress against objectives and KPIs and reporting to Board leadership.
• Coordinate and lead governance activities supporting the Board of Trustees, Executive Committee, Governance & Nominating Committee, Research Committee, Planning and Marketing Committee and Finance Committee - including Board meeting preparation, succession planning, and the annual Vertin Award nomination and selection process.
• Develop and maintain project tracking tools, reporting mechanisms, and operational processes that support efficient execution of Foundation initiatives.
• Serve as the primary coordination point between the Research Foundation, RPC, and CFA Institute stakeholders, facilitating communication and collaboration across groups.
• Liaise with Research Directors on the research and publication pipeline, priorities, and agenda development, tracking projects through development, review, and publication.
• Lead content promotion activities and contractor relationships and engage with CFA societies to grow awareness of Research Foundation content.
• Maintain visibility into operational priorities, dependencies, timelines, and risks - escalating issues and recommending process improvements as needed.

• Demonstrated experience leading or supporting governance bodies, boards, committees, or executive leadership groups.
• Strong understanding of governance practices, budgeting, and nonprofit or association operations.
• Experience driving complex projects and operational management initiatives, with strong strategic planning and organizational skills across multiple, competing priorities.
• Proven ability to build trusted stakeholder relationships and lead cross-functional collaboration in matrixed organizations.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
• Proficiency with workflow management and project tracking tools.
• Familiarity with the investment industry, CFA Institute, and/or CFA societies preferred.

• Experience working closely with Board leadership as a strategic partner.
• Experience with in nonprofit, foundation, association, or membership-based organizations.
• Experience with promotion or marketing programs, and managing external vendor, contractor, or agency relationships.
• Familiarity with investment research, publishing, or thought leadership organizations.
• Advanced project management certification or governance-related training.

• A high-visibility role partnering directly with Board leadership and shaping how the Research Foundation executes its strategic priorities
• Broad scope spanning governance, publications, and stakeholder engagement across the global investment research community
• The chance to work at the intersection of CFA Institute, the Research Foundation, and the worldwide CFA societies network

At CFA Institute, we are committed to transparency and equity in our hiring process. In compliance with wage transparency laws in many of the jurisdictions in which we recruit, we provide the following information regarding compensation for this position:
Expected salary range: $83,000 - $110,700 per year. All salary ranges are subject to adjustment based on experience, education, and other factors relevant to the position including location. Additional benefits include eligibility for an annual incentive bonus, a 12% employer contribution to a 401(k) or pension plan, and a comprehensive medical benefits package. We offer a comprehensive benefits package to support our employees, including health coverage, generous time off, competitive retirement…