Sphera

Manager, Strategic Operations

US Chicago Full time

Sphera is a leading global provider of enterprise software and services that enables companies to manage and optimize their environmental, health, safety and sustainability. Our mission is to create a safer, more sustainable and productive world.

Sphera is a portfolio company of Blackstone, a U.S.-based alternative asset investment company that focuses on private equity, technology and innovation, and more. Blackstone businesses succeed through strong partnerships, a personalized approach and a commitment to exceptional performance with uncompromising integrity. Sphera and Blackstone are leaders in the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) space.

We are guided by our core values of Customer Centricity, Accountability, Bias to Action, Innovation, and Collaboration. These values help us recruit the right talent to join our rapidly expanding team around the globe. It is important to us that each and every Spherion is not only eager to challenge themselves and knows how to get work done but is an awesome addition to our company culture.

The Strategic Operations Manager will manage execution of CEO-sponsored strategic projects - ensuring accountability, transparency, and results - while also analyzing performance and identifying opportunities to improve impact. This role will partner with C-level executives to understand the strategic imperative of projects and drive execution.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead the planning and day-to-day management of strategic projects and initiatives.
  • Ensure deliverables are met, coordinating across functions, managing dependencies, and escalating risks.
  • Drive execution discipline through end-of-day and weekly summaries, progress tracking, and follow-ups.
  • Translate strategic goals into actionable project plans with clear metrics and ownership.
  • Manage the operating cadence for leadership, including status reviews, OKR tracking, and initiative updates.
  • Track KPIs and performance indicators for strategic projects.
  • Identify what’s working (and what’s not) and proactively surface insights and recommendations.

Qualifications

  • 5 - 9 years of experience in consulting, business operation, or project management in a fast-paced environment.
  • Proven ability to drive complex initiatives and manage senior stakeholders.
  • Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail
  • Strong analytical and written communication skills; able to turn data into insight.
  • Strong Excel/Sheets and PowerPoint/Slides skills; BI tools (Power BI, Tableau) a plus.
  • Comfortable working in ambiguity and balancing multiple priorities.
  • Experience leading small teams or mentoring analysts preferred.
     

What Success Looks Like

  • You bridge strategic planning and execution
  • Projects are on track, visible, and delivering tangible outcomes.
  • Leadership receives timely, insightful updates
  • You’re trusted as the operational heartbeat of strategic execution.

Pay:

$132,000.00 - $198,000.00 + Eligible for Variable Compensation Plan

Commensurate with relevant qualifications and experience

Benefits:

  • Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

  • Health Savings Account

  • Flexible Spending Account

  • 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match

  • Life and Disability Insurance

  • Critical Illness Insurance

  • Accident Insurance

  • Hospital Indemnity Insurance

  • Paid Time Off and Holidays

  • Flexible Working Schedule

Sphera is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all colleagues. We provide equal employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected status.

If you require a reasonable accommodation for a disability during the application or recruiting process, please email us at accommodations@sphera.com to make your request. To help us best respond, please include your name and the position you are applying for in your message.

This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the job and the general nature and level of work performed by job holders within this job. This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of qualifications, skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities or working conditions associated with the position.