Senior Director, Strategic Initiatives

THE V FOUNDATION•Cary, NC

2d•$110,000 - $140,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Director, Strategic Initiatives serves as a trusted advisor and execution partner to the CEO, driving high-priority initiatives for the V Foundation from concept through completion. This role sits at the intersection of strategy and delivery by translating the CEO’s priorities into structured plans, coordinating execution across departments, and ensuring that mission-critical work moves forward with clarity, accountability, and pace. This role is suited for someone who is equally comfortable thinking strategically alongside executive leadership and rolling up their sleeves to manage complex, cross-functional work in a resource-conscious nonprofit environment. The Senior Director will often be the single accountable owner for initiatives that do not have a natural home in one department and bridge gaps to build alignment among staff. The role will also serve as a key architect of organizational culture and cohesion, planning all-staff convenings and other org-wide initiatives that keep the V Foundation’s mission-driven team engaged and working well together to continue advancing its vision to achieve Victory Over Cancer.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required
10+ years of professional experience
Demonstrated success leading complex, cross-functional projects at the organizational level.
Proven ability to work directly with executive leadership and board-level audiences.
Experience designing, organizing and facilitating internal meetings and external events and establishing rapport with diverse stakeholders.
Exceptional project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple concurrent priorities amid shifting needs.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with comfort making sound recommendations.
A belief in the value of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace and action that demonstrates this commitment.

Nice To Haves

MBA or relevant advanced degree a plus.
Genuine commitment to the organization's mission and demonstrated ability to lead with empathy in a mission-driven environment.
High emotional intelligence, organizational awareness and sound judgment in navigating complex organizational dynamics.
Strong executive presence and communication skills — able to influence and align stakeholders without formal authority.

Responsibilities

Partner directly with the CEO to shape, prioritize, and refine organizational strategic priorities to include the annual strategic plan.
Conduct research and internal assessments (programmatic, operational, or funding-related) to inform executive decision-making.
Prepare board materials, executive briefings, and presentations to clearly communicate strategy, progress, and recommendations to the Board of Directors and other volunteer leadership.
Serve as a thought partner to the CEO and executive leadership team on emerging opportunities, risks, and organizational challenges.
Track progress against the organization's strategic plan and provide regular reporting to the CEO, executive leadership team, and, as needed, the Board of Directors.
Represent the CEO in select cross-departmental or external stakeholder meetings when appropriate.
Serve as the single accountable owner for CEO- and Board-directed strategic projects, driving them from scoping through successful completion, mindful of the organization's staff capacity and budget realities.
Develop project plans, timelines, milestones, and resource requirements; proactively identify and resolve roadblocks.
Lead and coordinate cross-functional project teams, garnering support and holding stakeholders accountable without direct authority over them.
Navigate ambiguity — many projects will lack existing playbooks, requiring the Senior Director to define scope, structure, and process from the ground up.
Monitor and report on the status of active strategic initiatives, flagging risks and course-correcting as needed.
Manage relationships with external consultants, facilitators, or partners engaged in support of strategic initiatives, as applicable.
In collaboration with departmental leadership, plan and facilitate staff retreats, all-staff meetings, and other org-wide convenings that build alignment, strengthen culture, and reinforce the organization's mission and values.
Design retreat and meeting agendas in partnership with the CEO, incorporating strategic planning, team-building, and professional development as appropriate.
Facilitate working sessions and workshops on cross-departmental initiatives, ensuring diverse staff voices are heard and incorporated into planning.
Gather staff feedback and input to inform strategic planning and organizational decision-making, serving as a bridge between frontline staff and executive leadership.
Evaluate the effectiveness of retreats and org-wide initiatives, incorporating lessons learned into future planning.
Streamline employee communication channels and practices to reduce redundancy and ensure staff receive timely, relevant information efficiently and effectively.