Director Operations, CEO Action at Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) – Alexandria, Virginia

The Director, CEO Action Operations, plays a pivotal role in leading the strategic and operational functions of our business-led initiative, focusing on enhancing effectiveness, driving program success, and ensuring smooth execution of key initiatives around inclusion and diversity. This role requires a seasoned leader with strong consultative skills, the ability to design and present data-driven insights to C-suite audiences, and expertise in influencing change at the executive level. The ideal candidate will possess strategic thinking skills, business acumen, and a foundational understanding of human capital topics, including inclusion, diversity, and culture transformation. The Director’s ability to integrate strategic content delivery, stakeholder engagement, operational management, research-driven insights, and event programming is critical to achieving the mission and creating meaningful impact within the corporate landscape.

Operational Leadership & Strategy

• Lead the operational management of CEO Action, including planning, execution, and optimization of programs and initiatives.
• Develop and implement operational strategies that align with the goals of CEO Action, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness across all activities.
• Monitor KPIs, manage operational budgets, and ensure alignment with business objectives.
• Leverage strategic thinking and business acumen to establish and scale initiatives successfully.
• Lead, mentor, and coach direct report(s) by fostering collaboration, growth, and accountability while providing strategic guidance and professional development to ensure continuous improvement and success.

Stakeholder Collaboration & Relationship Building

• Collaborate with senior leadership and internal teams to identify needs and address challenges related to inclusion, diversity, and culture transformation.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with C-suite executives, key stakeholders, and subject matter experts to enhance the impact of initiatives.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, providing consultative insights and fostering alignment on organizational strategies.

Communications & Reporting

• Represent CEO Action within the organization and in external forums, promoting principles of inclusion, diversity, and cultural transformation.
• Develop and present compelling reports and presentations to C-suite executives, highlighting program outcomes, strategic initiatives, and recommendations.
• Communicate the value and impact of initiatives to executive stakeholders and organizational members.
• Translate research findings and program data into clear, executive-ready insights and actionable recommendations.

Content Development & Delivery

• Create engaging and informative content on inclusion and diversity tailored for executive audiences, ensuring alignment with strategic goals.
• Design and deliver impactful presentations to C-suite executives, utilizing data-driven insights to support recommendations and drive action.
• Oversee the development of educational materials, including presentations, workbooks, and digital resources, ensuring they reflect best practices and current research in inclusion and diversity.
• Facilitate interactive discussions and workshops, encouraging active executive engagement and commitment.

Program Evaluation, Research & Continuous Improvement

• Evaluate program effectiveness through feedback collection and data analysis, driving continuous improvement in content and delivery methods.
• Manage research projects (e.g., surveys, focus groups, benchmarking, member insights, and/or landscape scans) to generate insights that inform strategy, programming, and executive-facing recommendations.
• Stay informed on trends, research, and legal requirements related to inclusion and diversity, integrating best practices into program design.
• Implement technology-driven enhancements to increase program impact and scalability.

Event Management & Executive Convenings

• Partner with SHRM’s events team to plan and execute CEO Action convenings, executive roundtables, webinars, conference programming, and other high-impact engagement moments.
• Identify, recruit, and prepare speakers (e.g., CEOs, CHROs, subject matter experts), ensuring strong alignment to initiative goals and executive relevance.
• Support agenda development, including session design, learning objectives, run-of-show planning, and content sequencing to drive meaningful outcomes.
• Collaborate on development of event content and assets (e.g., speaker briefs, talk tracks, session descriptions, slide narratives, and participant resources).
• Help evaluate event success through feedback and participation metrics, using findings to strengthen future programming.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Advanced degree or certification in Diversity and Inclusion, Organizational Psychology, or related field preferred.

Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in operational leadership, program management, or content delivery, with a focus on workplace issues or diversity and inclusion.
• Proven experience designing and presenting data-driven insights to C-suite audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with and influence C-suite executives to drive change.
• Strong track record of managing complex programs and delivering measurable outcomes.
• Experience managing research, insights, or evaluation projects and converting findings into executive-ready recommendations preferred.
• Experience supporting executive-level events or convenings (agenda development, speaker management, or content programming) preferred.

• Exceptional consultative skills and ability to provide strategic advice to senior leaders.
• Expertise in designing and delivering presentations based on data and insights for C-suite audiences.
• Strong knowledge of human capital topics, including inclusion, diversity, and culture transformation.
• Excellent strategic thinking skills and business acumen to align initiatives with organizational goals.
• Outstanding facilitation, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Proficiency in project management tools, data analysis software, and virtual collaboration platforms.
• Ability to manage research workflows and synthesize qualitative and quantitative findings into clear insights.
• Event programming skills, including speaker partnership and agenda/content development.
• Strategic thinker with a proactive and innovative approach.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels.
• High cultural competence and awareness.
• Commitment to continuous learning and professional development

This position operates in a typical office environment and requires the ability to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation. Physical requirements may include:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Frequent use of hands and fingers for typing, handling documents, and using office equipment.
• Occasional standing, walking, bending, and reaching.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 30 pounds as needed.
• Clear verbal and written communication skills for effective interaction with colleagues and stakeholders.

Hybrid Position (3 Days In-Office, 2 Days Remote):

This position follows a hybrid work schedule, requiring in-office presence [three days per week] and remote work [two days per week]. Core work hours will be designated by the department. The office environment includes a standard workstation setup with collaborative spaces, while remote work requires a reliable high-speed internet connection and a suitable home workspace. Employees must maintain availability during standard business hours and adhere to company policies for both in-office and remote work.

Travel: 20 – 30%

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The hiring range for this position is $135,000 to $160,000 per year. This range is an estimate, and the actual salary may vary based on the candidate's experience, skills, and qualifications. SHRM offers a competitive and comprehensive total rewards package. The benefits for this position include professional growth and development, health, dental, vision, well-being, health savings, flexible spending, retirement, open leave, and annual discretionary bonus and incentives.