Senior Director, Strategic Initiatives

Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) supports Johns Hopkins’ focus on research, teaching, and patient care, and its role as a national and global leader in higher education. We create and foster enduring relationships that result in advocacy and philanthropic support for Johns Hopkins University & Medicine; strengthening the institution through partnerships with donors, alumni, volunteer leaders, faculty, students, staff, and patients.

Johns Hopkins University supports a flexible work model that includes four different work modalities. This role has a hybrid work arrangement with an onsite presence of 3 days per week. The manager will confirm the team’s core onsite days where the majority/all team members will work in the office. Employees who travel on university business can count those days towards their onsite days.

The position of Senior Director is a key leadership role in the Office of Strategic Initiatives within Johns Hopkins Development & Alumni Relations and reports to the Executive Director of the team. The Office of Strategic Initiatives is responsible for planning and coordinating institutional initiatives that are supported through institutional funds and philanthropic contributions.

The role supports and coordinates high-priority, transformative projects from concept to implementation (some of which are highlighted in the University’s Strategic Framework – Ten for One). This position will work collaboratively across several University departments to support high-level strategic planning issues and initiatives. The role has key responsibilities in multiple, distinct areas essential for the planning and successful launch of new projects at Johns Hopkins University. In addition, this position will assist with the successful operation and administration of a large portfolio of donor-funded programs, as well as aid in the evaluation and stewardship of these programs. This role will be expected to work at both strategic and tactical levels.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Operations Management

• Manage and actively participate in strategic planning; extensively collaborate with JHU Leadership and faculty.
  
• Outline high level vision, overarching goals and organizational structures to implement the programs supported by principal-level donors. Act as an advisor and thought partner to key DAR leadership.
  
• Create and run program oversight structures, and track project performance to ensure the successful completion of short and long-term goals.
  
• Establish and staff project teams to include membership from Central Budget & Finance, Office of the Provost, Development and Alumni Relations (Sr. VP and Sr. Associate VP), Marketing & Communications, and the Office of the President.
  
• Exercise independent discretion and judgment and assume full responsibilities for resolving issues and problems of material importance.
  

Project Management/Stewardship

• Oversee the production and delivery of stewardship reports, financial updates, grant agreements, monthly programmatic updates and other communications. Build relationships with donors and regularly update them on the impact of their philanthropic support of the institution.
  
• Independently manage critical, timely and important short-term and long-term special projects as needed. Collaborate as required with other team members, including writing reports, developing plans, defining and communicating alternatives and making recommendations regarding appropriate courses of action based on thorough understanding of desired outcomes, expectations and timelines.
  
• Assume responsibility for keeping broad initiatives (both research and programmatic) on-track and completed on a timely basis. This includes working directly with university administration as well as Schools and Directors to obtain and track pertinent and oftentimes confidential information.
  
• Participate in the creation of funding proposals and assist the Sr. AVP of Principal Gifts and Sr. VP of Development & Alumni Relations with solicitations and other fundraising activities.
  
• Using a shared dashboard, track and assess progress toward goals/priorities and takes appropriate action to influence outcomes.
  

Team Building

• Manage professional and administrative staff with an initial group of 2-3 direct reports that will grow over time.
  
• Work with the Executive Director to develop and support a culture of continuous quality-improvement, shared efficiencies and professionalism within the team, as well as provide prompt and accurate responses to both internal and external requests.
  
• Build and