The World at Abt

Solving the world’s most pressing issues and improving the quality of life for people worldwide is what we do every day at Abt Associates. Creating a more equitable world is no small task, but we are driven by big challenges.

We are a team of 4,000+ people in over 50 countries working in unison and focused on the bigger picture. Only by sharing our commitment and energy do we affect change and push the boundaries of what’s possible. We welcome diverse ideas, backgrounds, and viewpoints – joining Abt means access to exceptional thinkers at the top of their game.

To thrive at Abt is to embrace flexibility and collaboration. Our open culture allows you to balance your work and personal life as needed to optimize personal well-being. Creating a more equitable world starts from within – we look after people around the world, and we’ll do the same for you.

Ready to embrace rewarding and meaningful work? Now’s your chance.

The Opportunity

As the Chief of Staff to the Senior Vice President (SVP), International Development you will be in a key role, serving as a representative of the SVP and enabling the division to work most effectively with internal and external stakeholders. You will serve as a key advisor and confidant to the SVP, often handling discreet or confidential information and supporting the SVP to make decisions on sensitive topics. This highly strategic and facilitative role requires a combination of focus and flexibility, as well as a willingness to play an active, behind-the-scenes role. You will be a highly resourceful individual with strong emotional intelligence, self-motivation, an even keeled and patient temperament, and strong analytical skills.

Under the direction of the Senior Vice President, the Chief of Staff and their team are responsible for overseeing the administration of the largest business line in the company. You will engage with departments to drive business line operations, delivery excellence, and growth. You will also design and implement strategic processes and special projects focused on growth, process, and organizational improvements.

Core Responsibilities

Division Administration

Ownership of short to mid-term (1-3 years) execution of functional strategy and the direction of the Division. Interprets and administers policies, processes, and procedures at the Division level. Works closely with the Corporate Operations, HR, Finance, Legal, and Contracts Business Partners to ensure the Division’s needs are met.

• On behalf of the Division, lead operational changes, including communications strategy, and organizational change planning, and execution
• Coordinate with the corporate communications team on corporate information cascades. Work with the Division’s communications group to organizing IDD-wide communications and/or information sharing events
• Serve as Division advocate and liaison with Departments. Work with Departmental Business Partners (Business Development, Finance, HR, Operations, Legal, Contracts) to ensure that Division’s needs are expressed and met.
• Design, manage, and continuously improve Division meetings cadence to optimize for efficiency and effectiveness.
• In partnership with the Corporate Operations Business Partner, conduct business analyses on operational issues to permit data-driven decision making/influencing and process identification and improvement. Implement process efficiencies across the Division to drive excellence in Division performance.

Business Growth

Ownership of Division business processes related to growth. Works closely with leaders and business partners in the Growth Office to plan and execute strategies to accelerate growth in the Division.

• Supports the SVP to design and implement annual Division-level Account Planning, Division-level priority lists, and resource planning, in collaboration with bidding unit Vice Presidents and Business Development Partners.
• On behalf of the Division, partner with growth office to design business development training and roll out in the Division.
• Partner with Portfolio Vice Presidents and Business Development partners to develop an “Abt wayâ€� and singular culture around the execution of business development practices.
• Support the SVP to look across the Division’s business development behaviors to identify trends and patterns and design corrective actions to address and/or amplify good behaviors.
• Monitor execution of pipeline across the Division to identify and correct systemic weaknesses in staffing or skill sets to effectively pursue the pipeline.
• May lead or support pursuit of high priority growth opportunities in the Division.

Talent Management

• Oversee Division processes to onboard and integrate new hires, with a special focus on strong work culture
• As the Division representative, partner with the VP, International HR and the HR Business Partner on special projects related to improving the employee experience at Abt and in the Division
• In partnership with the Operations and HR Business Partners, provide Division-side leadership to workforce planning initiatives.

What We Value

• Bachelor’s Degree + Fifteen years of relevant experience, or Master’s Degree + Twelve years of relevant experience, or PhD + Ten years of relevant experience
• Strong business acumen with the ability to implement Division-wide operational strategies to increase the overall efficiencies of Abt
• Proven ability to win new business; experience designing and executing business development processes that enhance success in growth.
• Experience leading through change and managing ambiguity. Proven skills in anticipating and proactively managing conflict and uncertainty
• An ability and willingness to independently drive work efforts, resolve issues and effectively manage processes that have tight timelines and a high degree of ambiguity
• Exceptional communication, presentation and interpersonal skills to establish and maintain authentic business relationships and interact effectively with peers and senior leadership across different functional areas within the company
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with Functional Leaders with the ability to negotiate solutions for matrixed teams; drive ownership and accountability across the organization
• In-depth experience with analytic tools in order to provide reporting for program and portfolio management to senior leadership; Demonstrated experience in workforce management which includes process improvement, utilization management and resource and demand management
• Exceptional understanding of planning processes (project management, portfolio management, financial planning, etc.) and the symbiotic relationships with resource planning
• Excellent professional writing skills
• A cultivated win-win working style that achieves outcomes through collaborative and positive means.

What We Offer

We foster an environment where you can Thrive Your Way. Our innovative programs are designed to help balance your work and personal life. The approach toward your wellbeing centers around comprehensive benefits, flexible schedules, and professional development.

Abt Associates is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse workforce. Abt Associates provides market-competitive salaries and comprehensive employee benefits. Local candidates strongly encouraged to apply.

This position offers an anticipated annual base salary range of approximately $120,000 to $193,000 and may vary by ten percent depending on candidate geographic location. Salary offers are made based on internal equity and market analysis.

Disclaimer: Abt Associates will never ask candidates for money in exchange for an offer of employment.