Operations Associate

Operations Associate
Acton Institute
Grand Rapids, MI | Full-Time | Entry Level

About the Operations Associate Role (a member of Acton’s Rome Team)
Do you naturally ask, “How can I help the team succeed?”

Do you enjoy bringing order, clarity, and momentum to complex projects?

Are you the type of person who takes great notes, follows through relentlessly, and ensures nothing falls through the cracks?

If so, this may be the perfect role for you.

The Operations Associate serves as a key project management and operational support partner for Acton’s Rome team. This role helps ensure that major international initiatives—especially Acton’s annual gatherings of bishops and Church leaders—are executed with excellence.

Roughly half of your time will focus on planning and executing these global events. The other half will support the day-to-day operational effectiveness of the Rome team, ensuring projects move forward with clarity, accountability, and strong follow-through.

This role is ideal for someone early in their career (0–2 years out of college) who is highly organized, proactive, team-oriented, and excited to contribute to a mission-driven, international organization.

About the Acton Institute
The Acton Institute is a global leader at the intersection of faith, economics, and human flourishing. For more than 35 years, Acton has equipped religious leaders, business professionals, and scholars around the world to understand and live out the moral foundations of a free and virtuous society.

Through high-impact educational programs, international events, and thought leadership, Acton helps shape the ideas and leaders who influence culture. Our Rome-based initiatives engage bishops and Church leaders from across the globe—helping them better understand the principles that support human dignity, economic freedom, and the common good.

If you are energized by meaningful work, global impact, and a mission that connects faith to real-world leadership, Acton offers a unique opportunity to contribute to something that matters.

What You Will Do

Project Management & Team Coordination

• Keep projects on track by capturing deliverables, deadlines, and ownership across initiatives
• Take clear, structured notes in meetings and translate them into actionable next steps
• Proactively identify and resolve ambiguity around responsibilities and timelines
• Provide concise, regular status updates to ensure team alignment

Event Planning & Execution (Global Initiatives)

• Support the planning and execution of Acton’s international educational events for bishops and Church leaders
• Coordinate logistics including travel, schedules, materials, and on-site execution
• Help ensure a high-quality, hospitable experience for participants
• Travel internationally (including Europe) up to ~3 weeks annually to support events

Operations & Data Management

• Maintain and organize key relationship and event data in systems such as Salesforce, Swoogo, Google Workspace, and Microsoft Office
• Support internal coordination between the Rome team and U.S.-based colleagues
• Help prepare materials, reports, and internal documents to support team initiatives

General Team Support

• Assist team members by completing tasks that remove bottlenecks and increase overall productivity
• Recommend process improvements to strengthen team efficiency
• Represent the Rome team professionally and enthusiastically in internal meetings and collaborations

What You Must Bring

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

Mission & Mindset

• Strong alignment with Acton’s mission and enthusiasm for its global impact
• A genuine desire to help others succeed and contribute to a team
• A positive, service-oriented and flexible attitude

Execution & Organization

• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to effectively manage multiple deadlines simultaneously
• Natural ability to manage multiple tasks and follow through to completion
• Strong notetaking and information synthesis skills
• Ability to create clarity and structure in complex or fast-moving situations

Communication & Judgment

• Clear, concise communication—especially in summarizing discussions and next steps
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to follow up effectively and respectfully
• Sound judgment when navigating obstacles or competing priorities

Work Ethic & Initiative

• High level of personal productivity and ownership
• Proactive mindset—identifying what needs to be done and doing it
• Comfort working both independently and collaboratively

Technical Skills

• Strong proficiency (or ability to quickly learn):
  • Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Drive)
  • Microsoft Office Suite
  • CRM and event platforms (e.g., Salesforce, Swoogo)
  • Artificial Intelligence tools

Experience & Education

• Bachelor’s degree required
• 0–2 years of professional or relevant experience preferred

Additional Details

• Location: Grand Rapids, MI (Acton Headquarters)
• Schedule: Morning availability is important due to daily collaboration with the Rome team (6-hour time difference)
• Travel: Up to ~3 weeks of international travel annually (to Italy, Portugal and other locations)
• Start Date: Targeting May 2026

Why This Role Matters

This role sits at the operational heart of Acton’s most important priorities—helping ensure that influential Church leaders from around the world have transformative educational experiences.

If you do your job well:

• Events will run seamlessly
• Teams will stay aligned and productive
• Important relationships will be strengthened
• And Acton’s mission will advance more effectively around the world

To Apply:
Please complete this application to apply. Please attach in one pdf file, both your cover letter and resume in the resume attachment section.