At The Obama Foundation, our mission is to inspire, empower, and connect people to change their world. We seek to build an active democratic culture where people are equipped and motivated to make change in the communities where they live, work, and play. Right here on the South Side of Chicago, we’re building a home for this vision, a global center for change with a range of opportunities - coordinated programming, community outreach events, educational moments, and more - that invite visitors from down the block or across the globe to turn hope into action.

Achieving our ambitious goals starts with an exceptional team built on our Hope to Action Values - Courage, Empathy, Integrity, Accountability, Community, Inclusivity, Pragmatism, Resilience, Imagination, and Hope. A Framework that anyone, anywhere, can use to build trust, activate participation, and expand opportunity in their community.

We are deeply committed to creating an actively anti-racist organization, leveraging our global reach to combat systemic racism and inequity wherever it exists.Read our full statement on anti-racism and equity here.

Purpose of the Role

The Operations Manager will be responsible for facilities that offer world-class operational support and resources to Foundation staff and guests. Primary responsibilities include overseeing office operations, developing and refining workplace procedures, and working closely with the Sr. Director, Operations to help make the Obama Foundation a top-rated place to work. The Operations Manager will manage the Washington D.C. and Chicago workspaces, ensuring successful daily office functions and a workspace that is secure and welcoming. They will oversee team communications across departments and will work closely with the full Operations team to ensure that Foundation staff have what they need to carry forward our mission of inspiring, empowering, and connecting people to change the world.

Core Job Responsibilities

Office Operations

• Manage daily office operations, workflows, and administrative processes.

• Maintaining and developing a plan for accommodating staff as the Foundation continues to grow and prepares to operate the Obama Presidential Center.

• Responsible for creating, controlling, and managing Foundation facilities costs and Operations team budgets under the guidance of the Sr. Director, Operations

• Ensure a consistently excellent experience for all Foundation staff and visitors.

• Provide leadership in campus space planning initiatives to optimize facility use and support institutional growth and strategic objectives. Oversee opening and closing of office spaces.

• Work collaboratively with Foundation teams to coordinate site visits, board meetings, and campus events, ensuring logistical efficiency and positive guest experiences.

Employee Engagement and Culture

• Identify, evaluate and implement workplace and employee engagement initiatives that will enhance the employee experience for Foundation employees

• Support communication between in-office and remote teams to ensure inclusivity.

• Support employee engagement initiatives for both remote and in-office staff.

Security Operations

• Work closely with the Security and Engineering teams to ensure that the Foundation Emergency Preparedness Plan is aligned with institutional policies; utilizing quarterly training, annual reviews and readiness assessments.

• Plan and facilitate required safety and emergency response training for faculty and staff, including CPR, First Aid, AED certification, and campus emergency procedures.

Operating Policies and Procedures

• Collaborate with other teams to develop, refine, and implement consistent policies and procedures. Ensure compliance and effective execution of these policies.

Contract & Vendor Management and Facilities Coordination

• Oversee contracts related to workspaces, including those with external contractors, service providers, and vendors. Ensure agreements are current, compliant, and effectively managed to meet operational and financial objectives.

• Manage day-to-day communication with facilities management, operating engineers, and contracted service providers. Serve as the primary point of contact for Engineering, Security, and Custodial, ensuring seamless coordination of daily operations and service quality.

Loading Dock Management

• Oversee loading dock operations at the Obama Presidential Center, including operational oversight, schedule, and logistics coordination.

Remote & Hybrid Workforce Support

• Coordinate in-office schedules, shared workspace reservations, and hoteling systems.

• Manage conference room bookings and hybrid meeting room readiness (audio/visual functionality)

• Coordinate onboarding logistics for remote employees (equipment shipment, system access, supplies).

• Serve as a point of contact for remote staff regarding operational needs.

• Maintain inventory and distribution process for laptops, monitors, docking stations, and peripherals.

• Coordinate IT and vendor support for remote technology issues

​Key Deliverables / Outcomes

Office Operations

• Foundation office space is curated such that it allows for employees and visitors to have a meaningful and personal experience that anticipates their needs, exceeds their expectations, and creates a positive connection to coming to the office.

• A strategic plan is in place for space planning across the Foundation that accounts for hiring, possible renovations, closing office spaces, and geographic shifts. Accurate and useful projections and reporting are provided to Foundation leadership on a quarterly basis.

Employee Engagement and Culture

• Employee Engagement research data to benchmark the Foundation against other organizations. Ensures that the Office Managers are set-up for successful social committee events and staff lunches in their designated offices.

Security Operations

• Foundation security and safety standards are in place and continually updated in coordination with security experts, USSS, and changing security needs. All Foundation offices operate according to our security standards and staff have an operational understanding and are trained in our emergency preparedness plans.

Operating Policies and Procedures

• Feedback results in which 90% of staff members strongly agree/agree that they understand the Foundation’s travel policy, know where to find it, and that they have the resources that they need to book travel easily and efficiently.

• Support implementation of hybrid work policies

Required Qualifications

• 4-6 years of experience managing organizational operations and facilities in a fast-paced environment.

• Experience managing and coordinating multi-departmental functions for high-profile organizations and individuals.

• An ability to delegate and influence while helping the Operations team achieve their professional development goals.

• An effective communicator who identifies opportunities for improvement and is highly responsive to staff needs and priorities.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook); experience with CMMS or ERP systems preferred.

The salary range for this role is between $87,020 and $108,775.

This is a full-time, in-person role based at the Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park.

Don’t check off every box in the requirements listed above? Please apply anyway! 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.