Director, Strategic Initiatives

Uncommon Schools•New York, NY

1d•$111,200 - $139,000•Hybrid

About The Position

As Director of Strategic Initiatives at Uncommon Schools, you'll partner directly with our Co-CEOs to shape the direction of our organization while managing critical communications, board governance, and cross-functional initiatives. You'll lead projects that impact our entire network, from overseeing our cross-functional annual planning processes to ensuring our Board of Trustees is engaged and informed. If you're someone who finds meaning in building systems that help organizations run better, this role offers the opportunity to shape organizational priorities and influence how Uncommon Schools scales impact for students across regions.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree
5–6 years of combined directly relevant and relevant professional experience
Directly relevant experience includes roles such as Manager/Senior Manager of Special Projects or Strategic Initiatives, or equivalent roles involving project management, executive support, or organizational strategy
Relevant experience includes roles in program coordination, project management, nonprofit leadership, operations, or other roles that build transferable skills in project management, stakeholder coordination, and organizational systems
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex projects and stakeholders simultaneously
Strong communication skills—ability to write clearly, speak persuasively, and adapt your message to different audiences
Experience managing and developing others, with a track record of building strong teams
Comfort with ambiguity and ability to bring structure to undefined problems

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in business administration, public administration, nonprofit management, or related field
Experience working in education, nonprofits, or mission-driven organizations
Experience with board governance or executive-level operations
Proficiency with project management tools and data analysis (Excel)

Responsibilities

Directly staff key projects and initiatives that support the Co-CEOs' effectiveness, including special strategic work and organizational priorities
Lead or staff complex projects related to organizational strategy, growth, and organizational priorities
Lead cross-functional annual planning processes, collaborating with senior leaders across Finance, Talent, Operations, School Operations, and Strategic Initiatives to shape the organization's direction
Own board governance responsibilities, including the nominating committee; manage ongoing committee work such as annual Board surveys and cultivation processes
Manage all Board of Trustees meetings, from agenda development and content creation to coordinating with the Executive Team and other departments for successful execution
Lead all Board of Trustees communications, including initiating communications, creating content, and managing input and review processes
Oversee the Board scorecard, managing regular updates, synthesizing takeaways, and driving recommendations for improvements based on Board and Executive Team input
Design and manage processes for sharing and cascading information between the Uncommon Board and regional boards to maximize efficiency and impact
Manage Co-CEO communications by proposing scope and sequence, drafting content, and engaging stakeholders on execution
Lead the annual "State of Uncommon" presentation in partnership with the Co-CEOs and Chief of Staff, managing all project execution and communications vehicles
Manage the calendar for organization-wide communications, creating systems and tools while collaborating with other teams to align messaging.
Manage and develop the Specialist supporting Strategic Initiatives and Executive Operations, providing coaching, professional development opportunities, and clear performance expectations.
Serve as a thought partner to the Senior Director on team strategy, planning, and execution