Director of Operations

We’re hiring!

The Abigail Adams Institute (AAI), located in the heart of Harvard Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is seeking an enthusiastic, highly organized, and self-driven Director of Operations (DO) to manage all aspects of our operations, including programs, finances, and donor relations.

AAI is an independent scholarly center dedicated to promoting open and civil inquiry at Harvard and other leading universities in the Boston area. Through engaging programming such as reading and discussion groups, workshops, intellectual retreats, lectures, and mentorship opportunities, AAI cultivates a cross-disciplinary environment with events that supplement students’ formal academic courses. Inspired by Abigail Adams—whose wisdom, insight, and commitment to education deeply impacted the early development of our nation—AAI is dedicated to fostering an intellectual community that understands the profound role of the humanities in the pursuit of wisdom and the good life.

 

The Role

As DO, you will play a key role in overseeing the Institute’s day-to-day operations, financial management, donor relations, and organizational logistics. The DO helps manage the team, aligning all aspects of the program to optimize the mission and outreach. This is a unique opportunity to refine your nonprofit administration skills while engaging with a community that values intellectual growth. You will also enjoy access to AAI’s enriching programming, offering continuous intellectual formation alongside your professional responsibilities.

 

What You’ll Be Doing:

Accounting & Financial Management:

  • Oversee the Institute’s bookkeeping and work with external accountants to ensure smooth financial operations.

  • Manage financial reporting for grants and maintain the annual budget.

  • Ensure compliance and coordinate the annual audit.

  • Utilize your IT skills to keep financial processes running efficiently.

Development & Grant Management:

  • Assist with grant applications, including narrative reporting and new proposals, and administer grants.

  • Donor outreach and participation in fundraising campaigns.

  • Maintaining up-to-date donor information in our CRM system.

Human Resources:

  • Integrate professional development and growth opportunities.

  • Manage payroll and compliance.

  • Help onboard research assistants, interns, and new employees.

General Administration:

  • Optimize and leverage strategic opportunities.

  • Streamline data collection and management.

  • Develop and steward donor relations.

Event Planning & Management:

  • Coordinating with fellow staff, faculty, students, and other organizations to plan and execute events.

 

What We’re Looking For:

  • Bachelor’s degree.

  • Ability to align and lead teams.

  • Strategic mindset

  • Strong experience in Excel, with curiosity and ability to quickly master new platforms.

  • Exceptional attention to detail and strong communication skills.

  • A self-starter with the ability to juggle multiple projects and work independently.

  • Familiarity with QuickBooks or other accounting software is a plus.

  • Understanding of GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) and nonprofit accounting principles is desirable but not required.

  • Flexibility to work some evenings and weekends as needed is a must.

Preferred Experience:

  • 1-2 years of bookkeeping or grant management experience is ideal, but we are open to training candidates eager to learn.

  • 1-2 years of event planning and management experience is also a bonus.

 

Why You Should Apply:

  • You’ll be part of a passionate, intellectually vibrant community that is committed to reinvigorating traditional liberal arts education.

  • You’ll develop valuable administrative skills while receiving continuous intellectual formation through AAI's programs.

  • You’ll work in a collaborative and supportive environment in Harvard Square, Cambridge.

 

Salary & Benefits

The starting salary for this position is commensurate with experience and skills.

AAI offers paid time off in addition to the standard holidays. 

 

To apply, submit your resume, cover letter, and the names/contact information of two references. Please compile all documents into a single PDF file and send them to Danilo Petranovich, Director of Operations, at director@abigailadamsinstitute.org.

We look forward to learning how your unique talents and experiences will help further the mission of the Abigail Adams Institute!