Strategic Advisor. New York. Posting Date: 11/01/2024. Deadline: 11/22/2024

Role Title: Strategic Advisor

Grade Level: E13

Contract Type: Permanent

Reporting To: Chief Executive Officer

Program/Department/Unit Name: SEDF

Location: New York

Team Name: SEDF

Open Society Foundations aim to establish vibrant and inclusive democracies where governments are accountable to their citizens. Our operating model organizes grantmaking around specific, time-limited projects, developed alongside support for established partners, enabling us to respond swiftly to emerging needs. We are committed to promoting human dignity, equality, and rights; reimagining democratic ideals and practice; and advancing equity in governance systems.

Guided by our founder’s values and the belief in the art of the possible, we engage directly with global entities, individuals, and policymakers through grants, advocacy, impact investing, and strategic human rights litigation to drive positive change. At the heart of our mission is a deep commitment to rights, equity, and justice, inspiring every action we take.

Description of the Team

The Soros Economic Development Fund (SEDF) is the impact investment arm of the Open Society Foundations. SEDF deploys patient, risk-tolerant and catalytic capital to advance OSF’s mission to supporting vibrant, inclusive and sustainable democracies across the globe. Founded in 1997, SEDF has committed over $569M in debt, equity and guarantees to businesses, funds, platforms and nonprofits across geographies and sectors that advance the mission of the Foundations. SEDF’s current investment portfolio includes $330M in committed capital across 36 investments. SEDF works closely with internal and external partners (including Soros Fund Management) across the nonprofit, public and private sectors to strengthen individual investments and market ecosystems to support OSF’s larger mission and vision.

For over 25 years, SEDF has occupied a unique place in the impact investment world. Free from the requirements of external and commercial investors, SEDF leans into areas of market and political failure and risk in exchange for impact – across regions and themes in support of democracy and open society. SEDF works to harness private sector resources for systemic change. SEDF has charted an initial set of strategies on climate action, independent media, and human rights, with additional areas of work in development.

Role Description

• Work directly with SEDF’s CEO and leadership team to strengthen overall organizational excellence.
• Support efforts to develop, refine and implement strategy, improve operational performance, and deepen external engagement and partnerships
• Act as thought partner to the CEO, helping to drive innovative solutions to complex problems
• Support SEDF’s broad work on, impact investment functions, innovative finance and policy work, and overall organizational performance

Key Responsibilities

Support for strategy development, refinement, implementation

• Serve as analyst and advisor to the CEO, facilitating efforts to articulate and drive priorities and translate strategies into operational work for all of SEDF’s strategic areas of work, including
  • In support of work with Head of Policy and Innovative Finance and MD, Investments, explore new potential thematic and geographic focuses areas, as needed; in support of work with Director of Impact & Operations, document strategies and ensure aligned workplans (and impact measurement, comms, etc.); in support of work with Head of Impact Strategy at SFM, provide research, analysis, and event coordination as needed
• Draft written and presentation materials related to SEDF’s strategies
• Lead special projects on behalf of the CEO, as assigned

Support for internal operational excellence

• Support CEO in preparation of materials for and meetings with OSF leadership, SEDF Advisory Board, External Advisors to Investment Committee, and other key OSF and SEDF stakeholders
• Coordinate agendas and materials for leadership meetings, team retreats; collect and synthesize information from across SEDF for various team, Board and OSF communications and updates
• Help ensure CEO’s time is well prioritized, direct reports are managing respective workstreams
• Manage external consultant support as needed

Support in external engagement, partnership and coalition building

• Support CEO in stewarding relationships with senior leaders at peer investors, philanthropies, nonprofits and public sector partners around opportunities for collaboration, including preparation for meetings and engagements (briefing memos, background materials, talking points as needed) and follow-up
• Support strategic engagement with the broader field
• Draft opinion, amplification and thought leadership pieces for SEDF CEO and SEDF leadership
• Help identify and oversee events and convenings that advance SEDF’s work; represent SEDF in engagement settings as needed

Key Requirements

• Substantial years of experience in banking and private sector financial services, management consulting and/or international development/development economics, with particular experience in innovative philanthropy, finance and/or impact investing.
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Excellent analytical and communication skills
• Creative thinker

What we offer

• Exceptional opportunities to learn, grow, and make an impact; from a generous annual professional development allowance for every employee to onsite training and learning conversations with visiting experts.
• Excellent benefits and perks to promote well-being and a healthy work-life balance, including:
• Generous time off, as well as our standard Open Society close at year-end (where vacation days are not required) and flexible work arrangements.
• Employer-paid health insurance and dental plans for individuals and families (no employee contribution required).
• Exceptional retirement savings plan (non-contributory for employees) and life insurance.
• Progressive paid parental leave, reproductive and family planning support, and much more.
• Free, healthy, world-cuisine-style lunches or tokens (where our office does not have the scale for café facilities).
• A commitment to nurturing a diverse and inclusive workplace, so you can bring your whole self to work and make a positive impact.

We are committed to building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We actively seek applications from talented individuals across all backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences – particularly those from marginalized and underrepresented groups. Each candidate is evaluated solely on their unique qualifications, without any discrimination based on race, gender, age, religion, or other protected characteristics. We welcome all qualified applicants who share our vision of advancing justice, democratic governance, and human rights worldwide.

The salary range for this role is $145, 100 – $275, 700. The final offer is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set and level of experience.

Competitive rates of pay apply.

Open Society Foundations is committed to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion, and to building a diverse staff that reflects the movements, issues and communities that our mission serves. Candidates from all underrepresented backgrounds, identities and communities are encouraged to apply.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and colleagues with disabilities.