Sr. Director, Development Strategy

The Sr. Director of Development Strategy leads a functional area tasked with the planning, launch, and/or management of transformational projects at Johns Hopkins University. The role supports high-priority, transformative projects and programs from concept to implementation in line with the Johns Hopkins Ten for One Strategic Plan. 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 operate at both strategic and tactical levels.

The Development and Alumni Relations organization at Johns Hopkins University has a development team of approximately 550 individuals and an overall budget of $70 million. The division enjoys tremendous support from the academic leadership of Johns Hopkins University and Medicine. More than 190 front-line fundraisers help to generate an average of $800 million in total commitments annually, with the last three fiscal years averaging over one billion dollars per fiscal year.

This team is responsible for managing and stewarding the institution’s largest donor, referred to as the Foundation, and works closely with the Senior Vice President and Associate Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations on all Foundation-related work.

The Sr. Director of Development Strategy is responsible for overall coordination, status reporting, and stewardship of information related to transformational giving. This role builds communication and dashboard strategies for internal and external stakeholders. In addition to managing a small, report-focused team, the Sr. Director will act as a leader within the Office of Strategic Initiatives, mentoring staff, representing leadership, and helping define and reach organizational goals.

Specific Duties & 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:

• Oversee the production and delivery of 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.
• Using a shared dashboard, track and assess progress toward goals/priorities and takes appropriate action to influence outcomes.

Leadership and Supervision:

• Manage professional and administrative staff.
• 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.
• Supervise and motivate team members by assigning tasks, monitoring performance, facilitating training, resolving conflicts, and ensuring compliance with safety and company policies to achieve organizational goals.

Representation and Leadership in DAR:

• Represent DAR by participating on various intern