Cfa Institute

Chief of Staff, Global Operations

Cfa Institute$175K — $200K *
Business Services
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5-7 years of experience in strategy, operations, or consulting roles, particularly with senior executives.
  • Demonstrated ability to prepare high-quality decision-making materials and strategic updates for leadership.
  • Proven experience leading cross-functional initiatives and governance frameworks.
  • Strong analytical skills to simplify complex issues into actionable options and recommendations.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills with attention to detail.
  • Maturity and discretion in handling sensitive information.
  • Ability to influence diverse teams and build collaborative relationships.

Responsibilities

  • Collaborate with the COO to guide priorities and ensure effective execution across Global Operations.
  • Establish and manage governance processes, business reviews, and accountability mechanisms.
  • Create and maintain a prioritized roadmap for Global Operations initiatives.
  • Lead strategic projects that require coordination among various teams and senior stakeholders.
  • Develop high-quality materials for governance discussions and leadership communications.
  • Coordinate with various departments such as Program Management, Facilities, and Event Management on cross-functional initiatives.
  • Leverage technology and AI to enhance operational efficiency while ensuring quality control.

Benefits

  • Direct collaboration with the COO in a critical leadership role.
  • Involvement in shaping the strategic framework of a global operations function.
  • Exposure to diverse initiatives across service delivery and corporate governance.
  • Opportunity to influence organizational decision-making as Global Operations matures.
  • Development of leadership and strategic judgment in a mission-driven context.
Full Job Description
Location: Charlottesville, VA or approved East Coast locations (VA, NC, GA, FL)

Do you thrive operating close to senior leadership, turning ambiguity into structure, priorities and momentum? Can you move comfortably between strategic thinking, executive communications and practical follow-through? Are you looking for a role where your judgement, discretion and ability to connect the dots can help shape how a global function operates?

CFA Institute is hiring a Chief of Staff, Global Operations to partner directly with the Chief Operating Officer. In this role, you will help create the operating rhythm, governance and execution discipline needed to support a broad Global Operations portfolio and enable clearer decision-making across the organization.

You will act as a trusted thought partner and strategic operator, supporting priorities that span program delivery, transformation, service delivery, facilities, real estate, event management, governance and cross-functional initiatives. This is a high-exposure development role for someone who can combine judgement, structure, communication quality and hands-on delivery.

What You'll Do
  • Partner directly with the COO to support priorities, decision-making, communications and follow-through across Global Operations.
  • Build and manage operating rhythm, governance cadence, monthly business reviews, agendas, actions and accountability mechanisms.
  • Help define a prioritized Global Operations roadmap, ensuring key initiatives have clear ownership, structure and momentum.
  • Lead or support strategic projects and cross-functional initiatives that require coordination across multiple teams and senior stakeholders.
  • Prepare high-quality materials for leadership forums, governance discussions, board-related activity and organizational communications.
  • Work across teams including Program Management and Enterprise Transformation, Global Contact Center, Facilities, Real Estate and Event Management.
  • Use technology and AI thoughtfully to improve productivity, analysis and communication while maintaining strong human judgement and quality control.


What We're Looking For
  • Experience in strategy, operations, program / portfolio environments, enterprise transformation, consulting, business management or a Chief of Staff-style role within a complex organization.
  • Clear evidence of working directly with senior executives, including preparing briefings, presentations, decision materials or strategic updates.
  • Experience leading or materially shaping cross-functional initiatives, governance forums, operating rhythms or enterprise priorities.
  • Strong structured thinking, analytical judgement and ability to turn ambiguous issues into clear options, actions and recommendations.
  • Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills, with strong attention to detail and an ability to produce high-quality executive-ready work.
  • Maturity, discretion and sound judgement when handling confidential or sensitive information.
  • Ability to influence without authority and build trust across teams with different priorities and working styles.


Nice to Have
  • Experience in financial services, EdTech, education, professional services or another business-facing environment.
  • Exposure to program delivery, portfolio management, operational excellence, Lean Six Sigma, agile, quality, product, technology or enterprise transformation work.
  • Experience supporting board, executive committee or senior governance forums.
  • MBA or equivalent advanced business qualification.


Why Join Us
  • Work directly with the Chief Operating Officer in a high-trust, high-visibility role.
  • Help shape the operating rhythm and governance approach for a broad global function.
  • Gain enterprise-wide exposure across transformation, service delivery, facilities, events, leadership forums and strategic initiatives.
  • Join at a point where Global Operations is continuing to mature its ways of working, priorities and decision cadence.
  • Build broad leadership, judgement and influence experience in a mission-driven global organization.


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: US National Locations (VA, NC, GA, FL): $175,000 - $200,000 per year

Actual salary within the stated ranges will depend on the individual's experience, qualifications, skills, location, and other job-related factors. Additional benefits include eligibility for an annual discretionary incentive bonus, a 12% employer contribution to a 401(k) or pension plan, and a comprehensive medical benefits package.

#LI-BQ1

We offer a comprehensive benefits package to support our employees, including health coverage, generous time off, competitive retirement plans, flexible work options, and wellbeing and development programs. You can learn more on our careers site: Working at CFA Institute | Comprehensive Benefits

About Cfa Institute

The CFA Institute is a global association of investment professionals. The organization offers the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation, the Certificate in Investment Performance Measurement (CIPM) designation, and the Investment Foundations Certificate. It provides continuing education conferences, seminars, webcasts, and publications to allow members and other participants to stay current on developments in the investment industry. The CFA Institute also conducts research and advocacy efforts to promote ethical and professional standards in the investment industry.
Learn more about Cfa Institute
Size
1,000 employees
Industry

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at Cfa Institute

More Business Services Jobs

Find similar Chief of Staff, Global Operations jobs: