Senior Director, Strategic Initiatives for Alumni Relations and Development

Department: Alumni Relations & Development
Salary/Grade: EXS/14

Job Summary:

Please note: The target budgeted salary for this position is $145,000 - $170,000. Offers will be based on candidate experience and education, as well as equity within Northwestern University

About Alumni Relations and Development

Alumni Relations and Development appreciates that the collective sum of our individual differences, experiences, knowledge, and self-expression is crucial for our success. We strongly invite candidates of all backgrounds to apply and to participate fully and authentically in our workplace.

We encourage you to apply even if you do not believe you meet 100% of the preferred qualifications.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Alumni Relations and Development is committed to genuine inclusion. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Elizabeth Frisch at efrisch@northwestern.edu. Consistent with its obligations under the law, Northwestern will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential job responsibilities.

Job Summary

The Strategic Initiatives and Campaigns Team at Northwestern University is responsible for developing, coordinating, and managing systems and processes to support the university's next comprehensive campaign, and select fundraising initiatives that span the breadth of the university's academic and programmatic eco-system.

Working closely with the Alumni Relations and Development executive team, school and unit based fundraising teams, and university leadership, the team serves as a key link between strategy and execution and is responsible for the planning and implementation of a coordinated suite of strategies that drives operational excellence in support of the university's campaign ambitions.

Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Strategic Initiatives, the Senior Director for Strategic Initiatives and Campaigns will play a key leadership role and provide oversight for the planning and tracking of the university's next comprehensive campaign and select university-wide presidential priorities. Working effectively across departments in Alumni Relations and Development, and the campus, the senior director will align stakeholders and manage project plans to drive successful campaign outcomes through integration, collaboration, and shared accountability. Specific responsibilities may include management of campaign planning workflows, convening stakeholders to define comprehensive funding opportunities, support for volunteer leadership engagement with the campaign, and the development and presentation of campaign and initiative reports for internal and external stakeholders. Finally, this new position once established will manage a small team and be a key partner for the associate vice president for strategic initiatives, and work closely with the executive team members in Alumni Relations and Development, to track and monitor progress across all key metrics of the university's next comprehensive campaign.

*Note: Not all aspects of the job are covered by this job description.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Lead and support efforts to align campaign strategy and activity across campus, synthesizing and coordinating across departments to ensure integration of campaign principles, priorities, and messaging across all channels and activities
• Serve as campaign content expert and resource to ARD for all things campaign related.
• Participate in senior leadership meetings with key University stakeholders specific to strategic initiatives and campaign.
• Work closely with the associate vice president for strategic initiatives to manage and engage the campaign committee and campaign volunteer leadership.
• Align stakeholders and manage project plans to drive successful campaign outcomes through integration, collaboration, and shared accountability.
• Track fundraising progress for key initiatives and campaign gifts against targets in collaboration with fundraising teams.
• In partnership with colleagues, develop a set of campaign resources to report and analyze progress toward campaign goals and university priorities.
• Design, implement, and maintain project management systems to track campaign planning workstreams and timelines.
• Provide regular updates on campaign fundraising and engagement to key stakeholders, including: Alumni Relations and Development, units and divisions, volunteer and University leadership, and others as needed.
• Provide management and oversight for the Strategic Initiatives and Campaigns team.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• 8+ years of professional experience in a development role at a large university or non-profit
• Demonstrated analytical, project design/management, and creative problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal; an ability to build trust and credibility with senior internal and external stakeholders
• Demonstrated commitment to creating and promoting a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience as a frontline fundraiser or the equivalent with executing or developing strategies to effectively cultivate, steward, and close major gifts
• Experience with fundraising campaigns
• Experience managing a significant project or initiative
• Working directly with academic leadership
• Knowledge of higher education preferred

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.