Summer Associate, Operations

The Rockefeller Foundation is seeking a Summer Associate for our Operations team.

Operations is responsible for leading the Foundation’s core business functions and is dedicated to creating, optimizing, and managing effective processes, systems, and infrastructure that support our programs, sustain our investments, and strengthen our connections across our teams, with grantees and key partners. Operations champion a OneRF approach and drives excellence across the Foundation’s financial processes, legal approaches, convening strategies, physical spaces, sustainability, technology, talent development, and organizational culture while ensuring community, partnerships, and impact are at the center of our work at the Foundation.

This position sits within the Office of the Chief Operating Officer (COO), collaborates directly with the Operations team, and partners with the COO on special projects—enabling the broader operational portfolio of services in support of the Foundation’s programmatic work. The Summer Associate in the Office of the COO will have the ability to assist with crafting and executing Foundation-wide strategic initiatives and champion our work through effective planning, cross-functional engagement, and communication. 

We value our Summer Associates and want to invest in and mentor future leaders who will grow personally and professionally and create an impact in the philanthropic sector. 

Program Details

• This position is open to graduate students only.
• A cover letter is required.
• The 2025 summer program will run 11 weeks from June – August 2025.
• This position will be based in New York City and requires a hybrid work arrangement, working onsite Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

Pay Range: $30 - $35 hourly rate. This represents the present low and high end of the Foundation’s pay range for this position. Actual pay will vary based on various factors, including but not limited to experience. This is a non-exempt position and thus eligible for overtime pay.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide project support for the new Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, including supporting RF team engagement, communication, and next-phase implementation planning.
• Assist with drafting operational updates for the COO’s biweekly newsletter to the entire staff.
• Create and detail workflows for critical governance processes for the planning of board and committee meetings within the Office of the COO and across operations to ensure timely preparation of docket materials.
• Support the implementation of the Foundation’s Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) program, ensuring the Foundation's resilience mitigation to risk and operational integrity.
• Engage in comprehensive research, data analysis, and business insights projects to inform strategic decisions and operational improvements.
• Draft briefing documents for the COO's high-level engagements.
• Partner with the team coordinator to manage the content and action items for key operations meetings, including the quarterly All-Ops meeting, driving collaboration and operational coordination across the Foundation.
• Communicate and collaborate effectively with both internal and external stakeholders, fostering partnerships that advance the Foundation’s operational and strategic goals.

Education, Experience, and Skills

• Enrollment in a graduate-level program within fields such as business administration, environmental sustainability, operations, financial management, public administration, nonprofit management, or similar areas.
• Demonstrated passion for operational excellence, sustainability, and the social sector.
• Strong analytical, project management, and strategic planning skills.
• Exceptional communication abilities, with the capacity to engage effectively across diverse teams and with external partners.
• Collaborative, innovative, eager to learn, and interested in how the Foundation creates and implements strategies working alongside partners. 
• Must be a proactive self-starter. 
• Must be authorized to work in the United States. 
• Committed to the mission of the Foundation. 

Qualifications and Competencies

• Bias for Action: Takes on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.  
• Communicates Effectively: Develops and delivers multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences. 
• Decision Quality: Makes good and timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward. 
• Plans and Aligns: Plans and prioritizes work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals. 
• Values Differences: Recognizes the value of different perspectives and commits to inclusion, equity, and diversity in every aspect of work.

About The Rockefeller Foundation

The Rockefeller Foundation is a pioneering philanthropy built on collaborative partnerships at the frontiers of science, technology, and innovation that enable individuals, families, and communities to flourish. We make big bets to promote the well-being of humanity. Today, we are focused on advancing human opportunity and reversing the climate crisis by transforming systems in food, health, energy, and finance. For more information, sign up for our newsletter at http://rockefellerfoundation.org and follow us on X @RockefellerFdn. 

As an organization, we focus on six values to advance our culture and continue our success. We are dedicated to being Transparent, Optimistic, Accountable, Collaborative, Trusted, and Equitable. We operate from a strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in everything that we do. It is not only the right thing to do – we could not make an impact without our team members' diverse perspectives and experiences. We expect all employees at the Foundation to contribute by developing their unique perspectives and talent, challenging conventional wisdom through evidence and reason, and amplifying marginalized voices.  

The Rockefeller Foundation is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity and compliance with all federal, state, and local laws concerning employment discrimination, including the Americans with Disabilities Act. To this end, the Foundation ensures equal opportunity to all employees and applicants regardless of race, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, lawful alien status, physical, mental, and medical disability, veteran status, liability for service in the United States Armed Forces, or any other protected status.   

The Rockefeller Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Salary : $30 - $35