We have ambitious plans, and we know the most critical step is building an incredible team that reflects the diverse fabric of our nation and embodies our values. Our team is made up of people who are equal parts dreamers and doers. We are people who care as much about how we achieve our goals as we do about the goals themselves. Our values drive our team and are instilled in the work this Foundation does every day. We are also committed to creating an anti-racist organization in order to do our part to help combat racism and inequity in all forms, in communities across our nation and around the world. Read our full statement on anti-racism and equity here.

Purpose of Role

The Analyst, Strategy and Operations, supports the day-to-day operations of the Global Leadership and OPC Programs in service of the Obama Foundation’s mission to inspire, empower, and connect the next generation of leaders.

Reporting to the Senior Manager, Strategy and Operations, the Analyst provides vital administrative, operational, and logistical support to ensure that both program teams run smoothly and effectively. The Analyst works closely with the Senior Manager and Senior Operations Associate to streamline operations, strengthen cross-functional coordination, and improve team efficiency.

Core Job Responsibilities

Executive Support

• Manage calendars and scheduling for the Vice Presidents of Global Leadership and OPC Programs.

• Provide administrative support including travel coordination, expense reporting, document preparation and review, and general assistance to the Vice Presidents and broader leadership team.

Team Operations

• Collaborate with team members to ensure smooth daily operations across both programs.

• Provide support with scheduling, meeting preparation, Slack community management, file and data management, and use of learning management systems.

• Identify opportunities to improve workflows and implement process improvements.

Partnership and Vendor Coordination

• Support the identification, contracting, and onboarding of third-party vendors for program delivery.

• Coordinate logistics for vendor engagement, including timelines, meetings, and communications.

• Facilitate invoicing and payments in compliance with Foundation policies.

• Help maintain strong vendor relationships and build networks that can support shared strategic goals.

Budget and Finance Support

• Assist the Senior Manager with budget management and planning across both programs.

• Track expenses, help prepare budget updates, and disseminate relevant financial policies and guidance to team members.

• Support the team during the Foundation’s annual and bi-annual budgeting processes.

Program and Event Logistics

• Support the execution of virtual and in-person programs and events.

• Assist with logistics including travel, scheduling, tech support, catering, materials, stakeholder coordination, and post-event follow-up.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Serve as a liaison between program teams and other departments such as Marketing & Communications, Procurement, Legal, Finance, and OPC Operations to advance operational goals.

• Actively participate in cross-program operational working groups with other Programs Team operations staff to address shared operational issues and priorities.

Key Deliverables/Outcomes

• Proactively manage calendars for Vice Presidents, ensuring time is aligned with strategic priorities.

• Produce and distribute monthly budget-to-actual reports, with variance analysis and trend identification.

• Support timely and compliant vendor contracting and payment processes.

• Contribute to a seamless budget planning cycle by working collaboratively with internal stakeholders and aligning operational needs with financial strategy.

• Ensure operational tools, systems, and processes are effectively supporting team goals and external partnerships.

Required Qualifications

• 2–4 years of relevant professional experience, preferably in operations, project management, program coordination, or administrative support in a nonprofit, public sector, or mission-driven organization.

• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, workstreams, and deadlines in a fast-paced, evolving environment.

• Demonstrated ability to manage complex calendars and support senior leaders with scheduling, logistics, and administrative needs.

• Comfort with data management and budget tracking tools, and the ability to understand and support financial processes (e.g., expense reconciliation, budget-to-actual tracking).

• Proficiency with Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Calendar) and Slack; familiarity with project management platforms (e.g., Asana, Monday.com, Notion) a plus.

• Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to producing high-quality work.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across teams and with external partners.

• A solutions-oriented mindset, with a willingness to take initiative, solve problems creatively, and improve operational systems.

The salary range for this role is between $51,965 and $64,980.

This is a hybrid role based at our Chicago office.

Foundation Values

The Foundation Values are Courage, Empathy, Integrity, Accountability, Community, Inclusivity, Pragmatism, Resilience, Imagination, and Hope.

Don’t check off every box in the requirements listed above? Please apply anyway! Studies have shown that marginalized communities - such as women, LGBTQ+ and people of color - are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. The Obama Foundation is dedicated to building an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible workplace that fosters a sense of belonging – so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to still consider submitting an application. You may be just the right candidate for this role or another one of our openings!

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Foundation is committed to creating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. The Foundation does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, parental status, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable laws. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply. If you are a qualified candidate with a disability, please e-mail us at [email protected] if you require a reasonable accommodation to complete this application.