Director, Shared Services

UNITED NEGRO COLLEGE FUND•Atlanta, GA

4h•$100,000 - $120,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Shared Services will lead the design, launch, and scaling of cross-institutional shared-service models that strengthen institutional capacity across multiple domains, including but not limited to data, analytics, finance, operations, and student success. This role is responsible for building a durable, scalable infrastructure for shared capacity—enabling institutions to access high-quality expertise, tools, and support that would be difficult to sustain independently. Reporting to senior leadership, the Director will serve as the primary operator and integrator, translating strategy into execution by coordinating partners, engaging institutions, and building a high-functioning shared-services model that can expand over time. This is a systems-building role focused on long-term institutional transformation, not a single initiative.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred.
8–12+ years of experience in complex program, product, or service delivery environments
8–12+ years of experience in consulting, higher education, technology, or operational transformation
8–12+ years of experience in multi-stakeholder initiatives spanning organizations or institutions
Demonstrated experience building and scaling new capabilities, services, or operating models.
Ability to move from concept to execution in complex, evolving environments.
Experience managing cross-functional teams and external partners.
Strong systems thinking and ability to connect work across domains.
Comfort engaging senior institutional leaders and navigating complex organizations.
Excellent project management and organizational skills.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience with shared services, consortia, or network-based models.
Familiarity with institutional operations (e.g., finance, student success, academic affairs, workforce pathways).
Experience in capacity-building or intermediary organizations.

Responsibilities

Build and operationalize shared-service models that deliver capacity across institutions
Establish a repeatable framework for designing, launching, and scaling shared services in multiple domains
Coordinate across internal teams, external partners, and institutional stakeholders to drive execution
Create the foundation for a sustainable, multi-domain shared-services ecosystem
Design and operationalize shared-service offerings that can evolve across domains (e.g., data, finance, operations, student success, workforce pathways)
Develop a modular service architecture that allows new capabilities to be added over time
Define service tiers, delivery models, and engagement structures that balance flexibility with consistency
Lead the transition from pilot efforts to scalable, repeatable models
Lead implementation of shared services across multiple functional areas, starting with initial domains and expanding over time
Ensure services are not siloed, but instead support integrated institutional decision-making and operations
Identify opportunities to extend shared services into new areas based on institutional need and strategic priorities
Identify, procure, and manage a network of external partners and service providers
Coordinate across partners delivering technical, strategic, and operational support
Ensure alignment across partners so institutions experience a cohesive, integrated service model
Build a broader ecosystem of collaborators, including intermediaries, vendors, and subject matter experts
Lead engagement with participating institutions, including senior leadership and cross-functional teams
Oversee institutional assessments to determine readiness, capacity, and opportunity areas
Support institutions in adopting shared services and integrating them into core operational and strategic processes
Ensure institutions move from engagement → adoption → sustained use → measurable impact
Build and manage a cross-functional, multi-domain team, including internal staff and fractional external experts
Establish team structure, workflows, and service delivery standards
Oversee a model that may include pooled or fractional expertise across institutions
Ensure consistent, high-quality service delivery across multiple institutions simultaneously
Develop the operating model for shared services, including governance structures, decision-making frameworks, and service-level expectations
Contribute to the development of long-term sustainability models, including subscription or membership structures, pooled funding approaches, and blended philanthropic and institutional support
Identify opportunities for cost efficiency, scale, and long-term viability
Align work across internal teams to ensure coordination between strategy, implementation, and external engagement
Track progress against milestones, deliverables, and outcomes
Identify risks and dependencies and proactively manage through them
Ensure the work progresses with clarity, discipline, and pace
Develop and document shared-services playbooks, implementation frameworks, and institutional readiness models
Capture lessons learned and translate them into scalable approaches for broader adoption
Support efforts to position shared services as a core strategy for institutional capacity building