Director - Executive Operations & Special Projects, GRI

About the Opportunity

JOB SUMMARY

The Global Resilience Institute (GRI) at Northeastern University, seeks a dynamic, adaptable, and experienced Director of Executive Operations & Special Projects to provide strategic and operational support to the Institute Director in advancing the academic, operational & public engagement missions and research initiatives of the Global Resilience Institute. The position helps the Institute Director to manage his strategic direction in close coordination and collaboration with the Institute’s senior leadership team (COO and Director of Research).  S(he) also directly supports the Institute Director in managing strategic relationships across Northeastern University and with outside stakeholders involved in the Institute’s mission.  S(he) will assist the Institute Director on monitoring the Institute’s research initiatives and operations, identifying challenges, and recommending corrective measures to ensure they are aligned with the Institute’s overall strategic direction. This role is crucial in ensuring that the Institutes Director’s time is focused on high-impact activities that expand project and program opportunities that align with the institute’s mission. The Director of Executive Operations and Special Projects will anticipate needs, manage workflows, and convey the Institute Director’s intent as required.

The priority areas of the Director of Executive Operations & Special Projects will evolve alongside new opportunities the Institute Director identifies for achieving the institute’s mission. The position will help oversee the launch and management of special projects as directed by the Institute Director. This position directly supports the Institute Director in maintaining his relationships with academic and administrative stakeholders across Northeastern and with collaborative partners to include senior government officials, university leaders, and industry executives. 

This position is instrumental to achieving the Institute’s long-term success by ensuring the seamless execution of high-impact initiatives that advance the Institute's mission faster and more efficiently. The role requires responding to time-sensitive and / or urgent situations, which may warrant availability on weekends or outside working hours during crisis situations and must balance the daily work against the broader portfolio of the Institute Director. Ideal candidates are strategic, proactive, highly organized, detail-oriented, and capable of putting order and process to ambiguity. Ability to travel to support Institute priorities, including client meetings, strategic initiatives, or other business-critical events.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Social Sciences or similar
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to understand how multiple operational systems at the department and college levels within Northeastern work together 
• Executive Gap-Filler: Proactive in anticipating the needs of the Institute Director and taking independent initiative
• Uses analytical skills to anticipate needs and interpret organizational challenges
• Adaptability: Flexible in managing multiple conflicting priorities while maintaining composure and a positive demeanor
• 10+ years of experience in roles blending executive support and operational/project management
• 5+ years of experience working closely with executive nonprofit or c-suite
• Extensive experience developing strategies that shape leadership decisions and enhance organizational impact
•  Experience working and supporting federally-funded resilience projects
• Experience putting together federal and foundation proposals, including budgets and supporting materials
• Experience managing and working in a multicultural, nonprofit environment is essential
• Proven track record in helping to manage multi-million-dollar budgets and complex operations.
• Demonstrated ability to drive organizational growth and develop strategic partnerships.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to clearly communicate resilience ideas and concepts to a wide-range of audiences.
• Written and verbal Spanish a plus

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & ACCOUNTABILITIES

Executive Operations & Administrative Lead Supervisor (30%)

•  Support the Institute Director in a cross-divisional, multifunctional role that plays a pivotal part in the development and execution of the Institute’s strategic goals and major projects.
• Optimize the Director’s workflow by handling relationships with university leaders, external stakeholder, and donors
• Support the Institute’s management of senior leadership team mee