Associate Director of Strategic Initiatives | LEO

University of Notre Dame • Notre Dame, IN

7d • Hybrid

About The Position

LEO is seeking a strategic, relationship-driven, and mission-oriented leader to serve as its Associate Director of Strategic Initiatives. This high-impact role is focused on advancing the organization’s growth, partnerships, and long-term sustainability. The position will drive resource development efforts, steward high-level external relationships, lead strategic initiatives, and support executive priorities that expand LEO’s reach and influence across philanthropic, university, nonprofit, and policy communities. The Associate Director will oversee proposal development, stakeholder engagement, board operations, and cross-campus collaboration, while helping strengthen the partnerships and infrastructure that support evidence-based solutions to poverty. This role is ideal for seasoned professionals with exceptional communication, strategic planning, and relationship management skills who thrive in fast-paced, mission-driven environments and are energized by meaningful social impact.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum of 7+ years of relevant professional experience in strategic partnership development, stakeholder engagement, prospect research and resource procurement, executive-level project management, and cross-functional leadership, preferably within a nonprofit, higher education, policy, or mission-driven environment.
• Deep commitment to the mission of the University of Notre Dame and a passion for advancing evidence-driven solutions that serve the common good.
• Exceptional relationship-building skills with a demonstrated ability to cultivate meaningful partnerships.
• Advance strategic resource development and stewardship efforts across diverse stakeholders and benefactors.
• Proven ability to lead and execute multiple high-level, cross-functional initiatives within complex, fast-paced, and mission-driven environments.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to develop compelling proposals, presentations, and strategic communications for executive and external audience.
• Ability to thrive in a rapidly growing organization with a strong culture of excellence, collaboration, accountability, and innovation.
• Highly proactive, self-directed, and execution-oriented, with the ability to independently drive initiatives from strategy through successful completion.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree preferred.
• Experience working within a university or higher education setting.
• Familiarity with nonprofit, public sector, or social impact organizations.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic initiatives and complex problem-solving efforts that require sound judgment and innovative thinking.
• Independently plan and implement programs, projects, and organizational priorities aligned with LEO’s long-term goals.
• Develop and refine operational policies, procedures, and workflows that strengthen organizational effectiveness and impact.
• Advance continued stewardship or resources through resource development efforts, proposal writing, and strategic funding initiatives.
• Partner with the University of Notre Dame Development team to cultivate and steward relationships with benefactors and funding partners.
• Support annual grant and partnership goals that sustain and expand LEO’s long-term impact.
• Serve as a strategic extension of the Managing Director in external engagement, partnership cultivation, and stakeholder relation.
• Act as a key liaison across university and external partner networks, including Advancement, Corporate Relations, and Federal Relations teams.
• Lead high-priority special projects that advance LEO’s strategic and institutional goals.
• Lead operations and engagement efforts for LEO’s Board of Advisors, including meeting strategy, communications, and relationship management.
• Cultivate strategic relationships with stakeholders, funders, and partners to strengthen organizational visibility and support.
• Develop compelling proposals, presentations, and communications tailored to executive and external audience.
• Influence and coordinate across teams and stakeholders through collaboration, strategic communication, and relationship-driven leadership.
• Manage multiple executive-level and cross-functional initiatives within a fast-paced, high-performing environment.
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to the missions of the University of Notre Dame and Wilson Sheehan Lab for Economic Opportunities while independently driving initiatives from strategy to execution.

Benefits

• The University of Notre Dame seeks to attract, develop, and retain the highest quality faculty, staff and administration.
• The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or age in employment.
• Moreover, Notre Dame prohibits discrimination against veterans or disabled qualified individuals, and complies with 41 CFR 60-741.5(a) and 41 CFR 60-300.5(a).
• We strongly encourage applications from candidates attracted to a university with a Catholic identity.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director