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Senior Director of Executive Strategy & Operations

Morgan State University · Baltimore, MD

via Morgan State University

Full-time
Executive Strategy and Organizational Leadership
  • Serve as a principal strategic advisor to the Vice President for Institutional Advancement (VPIA) on matters related to fundraising, campaign planning, organizational effectiveness, operational performance, and institutional priorities.
  • Support the development, implementation, and monitoring of divisional strategic plans, annual goals, key performance indicators (KPIs), and performance dashboards to advance Institutional Advancement priorities and institutional objectives.
  • Drive execution of the VPIA's strategic agenda by translating priorities into actionable plans, coordinating implementation efforts, monitoring progress, and recommending strategies to enhance effectiveness and outcomes.
  • Lead high-priority strategic initiatives, special projects, and cross-functional efforts that support divisional and institutional goals.
  • Conduct research, benchmarking, and strategic analysis to inform planning, decision-making, and organizational improvement efforts.
  • Facilitate collaboration across Institutional Advancement units to promote alignment, accountability, and successful execution of strategic priorities.
  • Develop executive briefings, reports, presentations, and recommendations for senior leadership, Foundation leadership, and other key stakeholders.
  • Represent the VPIA in meetings, committees, and strategic discussions with internal and external stakeholders, as designated.
  • Monitor emerging trends, best practices, and innovations in higher education advancement, fundraising, and philanthropy to support continuous improvement and strategic planning.
  • Support the assessment and enhancement of divisional processes, initiatives, and organizational effectiveness to ensure achievement of established goals and objectives.

Strategic Project Management and Special Initiatives
  • Lead and manage strategic projects on behalf of the VPIA, including defining project scope, establishing timelines, coordinating stakeholders, and monitoring outcomes.
  • Coordinate implementation of divisional initiatives that require collaboration across multiple departments and stakeholder groups.
  • Ensure timely follow-up on key action items, project milestones, and strategic priorities.
  • Identify potential challenges and develop recommendations to support successful project execution.
  • Support organizational change initiatives and process improvement efforts that strengthen divisional effectiveness and efficiency.

Campaign Readiness and Advancement Initiatives
  • Coordinate activities related to campaign planning, readiness, implementation, and ongoing strategic advancement initiatives.
  • Monitor campaign timelines, milestones, and deliverables to ensure progress toward established objectives.
  • Facilitate collaboration among Development, Alumni Relations, Communications, Stewardship, and Advancement Services teams to support campaign success.
  • Prepare campaign reports, presentations, briefing materials, and progress updates for leadership and stakeholders.
  • Coordinate campaign-related meetings, planning sessions, and working groups and ensure timely follow-up on assigned actions.
  • Assist in tracking campaign performance metrics and identifying opportunities to strengthen engagement and fundraising outcomes.

Strategic Initiatives and Change Management
  • Lead complex cross-functional initiatives that require coordination among multiple departments, stakeholders, and external partners.
  • Identify opportunities to improve organizational effectiveness, operational efficiency, and resource utilization.
  • Support implementation of organizational change initiatives and foster alignment with institutional priorities.
  • Conduct research, benchmarking, and environmental analysis to inform strategic planning and decision-making.

Campaign Communications, Executive Reporting, and Strategic Engagement
  • Develop and coordinate executive-level campaign communications, presentations, briefing materials, and reports that support fundraising priorities, institutional advancement initiatives, and strategic engagement efforts.
  • Prepare campaign updates, leadership briefings, donor communications, stewardship materials, proposals, talking points, and presentations that effectively communicate campaign priorities, progress, and impact.
  • Partner with Development, Alumni Relations, Communications, and Foundation teams to ensure consistent messaging, alignment of campaign narratives, and effective communication of philanthropic priorities and institutional impact.
  • Support the development of materials for the President, Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Foundation Board, campaign committees, volunteers, donors, and key stakeholders.
  • Coordinate the preparation of campaign dashboards, progress reports, and performance updates to monitor advancement goals, engagement activities, and campaign milestones.
  • Translate complex advancement data, fundraising outcomes, and institutional priorities into compelling reports and communications that support decision-making, donor engagement, and stakeholder confidence.
  • Ensure all executive and campaign communications accurately reflect institutional priorities, fundraising objectives, campaign progress, and the impact of philanthropic investments.

Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Management
  • Serve as a liaison with internal and external stakeholders on strategic initiatives and special projects.
  • Support donor engagement, stewardship, and cultivation activities as assigned.
  • Coordinate executive-level meetings, engagement opportunities, and stakeholder communications.
  • Build and maintain productive relationships with university leadership, Foundation representatives, consultants, volunteers, and external partners.
  • Facilitate communication and collaboration among stakeholders to advance divisional priorities and institutional objectives.

Leadership and Supervision
  • Provide leadership and direction to assigned staff, interns, student employees, and project teams as appropriate.
  • Foster a collaborative, service-oriented, and results-focused work environment.
  • Support professional development and continuous learning opportunities for staff.
  • Promote accountability, teamwork, and excellence in the execution of assigned responsibilities.
Job details
  • Job typeFull-time
  • ExperienceExecutive
  • LocationBaltimore, MD
  • CategoryEducation
  • Posted3 hours ago
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