Director of Organizational Effectiveness

Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta

Director of Organizational Effectiveness

POSTION: Full-time Exempt

DEPARTMENT: Office of the President

REPORTS TO: Chief Operating Officer (COO)

START DATE: March 1, 2026

Organization Overview

The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta (The Foundation) is one of the nation’s premier philanthropic institutions, managing over $1.6 billion in assets and serving as a trusted partner to more than 1,000 donors and nonprofit organizations. The Foundation works to advance equity and shared prosperity all across metro Atlanta through donor-advised funds, strategic grantmaking, civic leadership, and community investment.

Founded in 1951, The Foundation ranks among the 15 largest community foundations in the U.S. and has deep roots in the region’s civic infrastructure. It plays a pivotal role in addressing systemic barriers in affordable housing, the arts, equity, and economic opportunity while connecting generosity to impact across the community.

Position Summary

The Director of Organizational Effectiveness, is a key partner to the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and a central integrator across the Foundation’s internal operations. The Director strengthens the Foundation’s ability to operate efficiently, collaboratively, and in alignment with strategic priorities by driving cross-functional coordination, supporting change management, and ensuring effective use of systems, tools, and processes.

This role accelerates the COO’s priorities, spanning Finance, Accounting, Legal/Compliance, Technology, Operations, and partnership with People & Culture, by translating strategic direction into coordinated and actionable workflows. The Director is a high-trust role requiring exceptional judgment, relationship-building, and the ability to influence without formal authority.

Key Responsibilities

1. Advance the COO’s Strategic and Operational Priorities

• Translate the COO’s annual priorities into clear workplans, milestones, and cross-functional deliverables.
• Track progress toward key operational goals, surfacing risks, dependencies, and recommended actions.
• Prepare decision memos, briefings, and materials that support the COO’s leadership of the Foundation’s internal operations and strategic initiatives.

2. Strengthen Cross-Functional Alignment & Internal Coordination

• Serve as a strategic connector across Finance & Accounting, Legal/Compliance, IT, Operations, People & Culture, and community-facing teams to ensure alignment and clarity.
• Design, facilitate, and follow through on COO-led meetings (operations of leadership meetings, cross-functional project teams, etc.).
• Support the COO in establishing predictable operating rhythms and ensuring key decisions to translate into action.

3. Lead Operational Improvement & Systems Adoption Efforts

• Partner with Finance, IT, Operations, and other systems leads to promote consistent, effective use of enterprise tools and platforms.
• Coordinate documentation of core processes, workflows, and standard operating procedures to increase clarity and efficiency.
• Identify areas where processes create friction for staff and recommend improvements rooted in operational excellence and equity.

4. Support Change Management & Organizational Transformation

• Design and support change management plans for major operational initiatives (e.g., process redesigns, technology rollouts, structural changes).
• Engage stakeholders across teams to ensure clarity, alignment, and adoption.
• Collect feedback, track adoption, and help the COO determine when pivots or reinforcements are needed.

5. Enable Performance Management & Organizational Learning

• Partner with Finance and People & Culture to align KPIs, dashboards, and key operating metrics.
• Synthesize operational data and qualitative insights into clear recommendations for the COO and leadership team.
• Maintain learning loops that highlight patterns, operational barriers, and opportunities for improvement.

6. Strengthen Internal Communication, Culture, and Connection

• Support internal communication related to operational priorities, upcoming changes, and “ways of working” expectations.
• Partner with People & Culture and MarComm on onboarding, all-staff meetings, retreats, and other experiences that reinforce clarity, connection, and shared purpose.
• Build trust across departments by maintaining strong relationships, offering support, and surfacing themes to the COO with discretion.

Required

• 5 – 8 years of progressively responsible experience in operations, organizational effectiveness, project management, or related field.
• Demonstrated experience supporting or working closely with senior executives in a complex or matrixed organization.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives concept through implementation with measurable results.
• Strong systems thinker with the ability to see interconnections across operations, finance, people, technology, risk, and strategy.
• Exceptional judgment, discretion, and integrity in handling sensitive and confidential information.
• Ability to build strong relationships and influence without authority.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to simplify complexity.
• Demonstrated commitment to racial equity, inclusive practices, and mission-aligned operational decision-making.

Preferred

• Experience in a community foundation, philanthropic institution, or adjacent nonprofit/impact-driven organization.
• Familiarity with systems commonly used in philanthropic or financial operations (CRM, fund accounting tools, HRIS, project/workflow platforms).
• Experience supporting organizational planning or performance management processes.
• Matrixed people's leadership or project team leadership experience.

Competencies

• Strategic & Systems Thinking
• Emotional Intelligence & Self-awareness
• Flexibility & Perseverance
• Operational Planning & Execution
• Change Leadership & Adaptability
• Relationship Building & Collaboration
• Equity & Inclusion Orientation
• Communication & Facilitation
• Confidentiality, Judgment & Professionalism

Other:

The Community Foundation operates in a hybrid working environment with staff working in-office three days per week (Tuesday – Thursday) and the opportunity to work two days remote per week if in good standing.

Compensation:

To be determined based upon experience and qualifications within the anticipated salary range of $125,000 - $135,000. This position is exempt, and employee is eligible for the Foundation’s competitive health and benefits plan that includes:

• Paid time off:

• Two weeks accrued paid vacation
• Two weeks accrued paid sick leave
• Four mental health days
• Two personal days
• Two floating holidays
• Ten holidays
• Benefits:

• All benefits effective on date of hire – no waiting period
• 100% employer-paid benefits (medical, dental, vision) for employee-only insurance plans
• 100% employer-paid life insurance and AD&D
• 100% employer-paid short-term disability and long-term disability
• 100% employer-paid parking downtown Atlanta or monthly MARTA card
• Affordable plans for legal insurance, critical illness, supplemental life, and more
• Employee Assistance Program
• Retirement:
• Immediate eligibility to contribute to a 403(b) plan, plus a 6% employer-paid contribution after one year of employment—regardless of employee contributions.
• Culture and Development:

• Individual Development Plans (IDPs) for each team member including trainings, resources, development opportunities, etc.
• Two Wellness Rooms for mental health with self-care items
• Fun monthly employee engagement activities

To Apply:

Please apply directly through the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta’s Careers Page by submitting your resume and application to the "Director of Organizational Effectiveness” job posting.

The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta values diversity and inclusion; therefore we honor the diverse needs, strengths, voices, and backgrounds of all individuals in our regional community.