Director, Strategic Initiatives

DePaul University•Chicago, IL

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Strategic Initiatives will manage the Senior Vice President's (SVP) special projects and outreach related to the SVP’s portfolio of donors. This role involves coordinating with faculty, staff, students, families, alumni, donors, and the public on behalf of the SVP and university. The Director will collaborate closely with university administrative and academic leadership, serving as a resource and liaison with external agencies and internal constituencies, including the SVP’s donor portfolio, vice presidents, deans, faculty, staff, students, parents, alumni, donors, and members of the Congregation of the Mission communities. The position works closely with the Senior Vice President, the senior leadership team, and colleagues across the institution, including the Office of the President, Office of the Provost, Finance, Financial Aid, the General Counsel's Office, Marketing and Communications, DePaul Athletics, and Student Affairs.

Requirements

Baccalaureate degree, required.
Minimum of 5 years progressive development experience including involvement in campaign planning and execution for academic institutions.
Excellent communications skills, coupled with strong writing and presentation skills.
Experience building and communicating campaign strategies.
Significant experience working with volunteers and volunteer groups.
Sound organizational ability, a high degree of energy, creativity, and initiative.
Strong organizational and analytical skills with ability to initiate, analyze, monitor, evaluate and advance strategic plans and programs.
Demonstrated ability to develop good working relationships with internal and external constituency groups.
Discretion and an ability to interact with high-level donors.
Ability to project the unique aims and values of DePaul University and its donors and alumni.
Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities and meet challenging and changing deadlines.
Demonstrated ability to develop plans, support implementation of programs, manage and implement change.
Ability to maintain highly confidential information on a variety of sensitive subjects.

Responsibilities

Serve as a high-level project manager for the division, coordinating and communicating the division’s planning and priorities.
Develop project plans and ensure projects and priorities are moving ahead, on-schedule, and up-to-date.
Hold the leadership team accountable for results and work with others on decision-making and progress towards goals.
Provide necessary follow-up and communication of planning and leadership activities with various divisional and university constituencies.
Coordinate meetings and activities for the Board of Trustees Philanthropy Committee, attending to all details for committee communications, meetings, and events.
Prepare communications to the committee and, at times, the full Board, and execute three committee meetings.
Coordinate Trustee participation in university events.
Analyze related reports, research, and other content to develop presentations and materials for the Philanthropic Committee, the Board of Trustees, and the President's office.
Oversee the administration of the SVP office.
Work closely with the SVP to ensure philanthropic commitments are made by members of the Board of Trustees.
Call donors, coordinate activity relating to fundraising, and work with financial planners and other stakeholders to ensure commitments are made and gifts are closed.
Manage the calendar, schedule meetings, and arrange travel for the SVP.
Prepare and submit expense reports and pro-card reconciliations for the SVP.
Create and manage business processes, including campaign development processes.
Assist SVP in policy and strategy development.
Conduct proposal writing, including pre-proposals and design elements for significant gift asks.
Develop and execute communication to send to the university.