Description

Posting Details

Posting Summary

Job Title Senior Director of Executive Strategy & Operations
Division Division of Institutional Advancement
Department VP Institutional Advancement
Work Status Full Time
Position Category Staff
FLSA Exempt
Pay Range Exempt
Salary Range $120,000 - $135,000 / year
Fund Source Federal/Grant
Job Summary
The Senior Director for Executive Strategy and Operations serves as a strategic advisor and operational partner to the Vice President for Institutional Advancement (VPIA). This leadership position supports the planning, coordination, and execution of divisional priorities, strategic initiatives, and fundraising objectives while ensuring effective collaboration across Institutional Advancement units.

Working closely with the VPIA and senior leadership team, the Senior Director helps translate strategic priorities into actionable plans, facilitates cross-functional initiatives, monitors progress toward divisional goals, and supports organizational effectiveness across the division. The position serves as a key resource in coordinating major projects, advancing campaign readiness efforts, and ensuring timely execution of initiatives that support fundraising, alumni engagement, stewardship, communications, advancement services, and foundation operations.

The Senior Director provides leadership for strategic projects and special initiatives, develops executive-level reports and analyses, facilitates communication among stakeholders, and assists in tracking performance metrics and outcomes. The position also supports comprehensive campaign planning and implementation by coordinating campaign-related activities, monitoring milestones, and helping ensure alignment across advancement functions.

The Senior Director exercises independent judgment in managing projects and stakeholder relationships and serves as a trusted advisor to the VPIA on matters related to strategy, operations, and organizational priorities. This position requires exceptional project management skills, strategic thinking, sound judgment, and the ability to build effective relationships across a complex higher education environment.

Job Duties
Executive Strategy and Organizational Leadership

• Serve as a principal strategic advisor to the Vice President for Institutional Advancement (VPIA) on matters related to fundraising, campaign planning, organizational effectiveness, operational performance, and institutional priorities.
• Support the development, implementation, and monitoring of divisional strategic plans, annual goals, key performance indicators (KPIs), and performance dashboards to advance Institutional Advancement priorities and institutional objectives.
• Drive execution of the VPIA's strategic agenda by translating priorities into actionable plans, coordinating implementation efforts, monitoring progress, and recommending strategies to enhance effectiveness and outcomes.
• Lead high-priority strategic initiatives, special projects, and cross-functional efforts that support divisional and institutional goals.
• Conduct research, benchmarking, and strategic analysis to inform planning, decision-making, and organizational improvement efforts.
• Facilitate collaboration across Institutional Advancement units to promote alignment, accountability, and successful execution of strategic priorities.
• Develop executive briefings, reports, presentations, and recommendations for senior leadership, Foundation leadership, and other key stakeholders.
• Represent the VPIA in meetings, committees, and strategic discussions with internal and external stakeholders, as designated.
• Monitor emerging trends, best practices, and innovations in higher education advancement, fundraising, and philanthropy to support continuous improvement and strategic planning.
• Support the assessment and enhancement of divisional processes, initiatives, and organizational effectiveness to ensure achievement of established goals and objectives.

Strategic Project Management and Special Initiatives

• Lead and manage strategic projects on behalf of the VPIA, including defining project scope, establishing timelines, coordinating stakeholders, and monitoring outcomes.
• Coordinate implementation of divisional initiatives that require collaboration across multiple departments and stakeholder groups.
• Ensure timely follow-up on key action items, project milestones, and strategic priorities.
• Identify potential challenges and develop recommendations to support successful project execution.
• Support organizational change initiatives and process improvement efforts that strengthen divisional effectiveness and efficiency.

Campaign Readiness and Advancement Initiatives

• Coordinate activities related to campaign planning, readiness, implementation, and ongoing strategic advancement initiatives.
• Monitor campaign timelines, milestones, and deliverables to ensure progress toward established objectives.
• Facilitate collaboration among Development, Alumni Relations, Communications, Stewardship, and Advancement Services teams to support campaign success.
• Prepare campaign reports, presentations, briefing materials, and progress updates for leadership and stakeholders.
• Coordinate campaign-related meetings, planning sessions, and working groups and ensure timely follow-up on assigned actions.
• Assist in tracking campaign performance metrics and identifying opportunities to strengthen engagement and fundraising outcomes.

Strategic Initiatives and Change Management

• Lead complex cross-functional initiatives that require coordination among multiple departments, stakeholders, and external partners.
• Identify opportunities to improve organizational effectiveness, operational efficiency, and resource utilization.
• Support implementation of organizational change initiatives and foster alignment with institutional priorities.
• Conduct research, benchmarking, and environmental analysis to inform strategic planning and decision-making.

Campaign Communications, Executive Reporting, and Strategic Engagement

• Develop and coordinate executive-level campaign communications, presentations, briefing materials, and reports that support fundraising priorities, institutional advancement initiatives, and strategic engagement efforts.
• Prepare campaign updates, leadership briefings, donor communications, stewardship materials, proposals, talking points, and presentations that effectively communicate campaign priorities, progress, and impact.
• Partner with Development, Alumni Relations, Communications, and Foundation teams to ensure consistent messaging, alignment of campaign narratives, and effective communication of philanthropic priorities and institutional impact.
• Support the development of materials for the President, Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Foundation Board, campaign committees, volunteers, donors, and key stakeholders.
• Coordinate the preparation of campaign dashboards, progress reports, and performance updates to monitor advancement goals, engagement activities, and campaign milestones.
• Translate complex advancement data, fundraising outcomes, and institutional priorities into compelling reports and communications that support decision-making, donor engagement, and stakeholder confidence.
• Ensure all executive and campaign communications accurately reflect institutional priorities, fundraising objectives, campaign progress, and the impact of philanthropic investments.

Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Management

• Serve as a liaison with internal and external stakeholders on strategic initiatives and special projects.
• Support donor engagement, stewardship, and cultivation activities as assigned.
• Coordinate executive-level meetings, engagement opportunities, and stakeholder communications.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with university leadership, Foundation representatives, consultants, volunteers, and external partners.
• Facilitate communication and collaboration among stakeholders to advance divisional priorities and institutional objectives.

Leadership and Supervision

• Provide leadership and direction to assigned staff, interns, student employees, and project teams as appropriate.
• Foster a collaborative, service-oriented, and results-focused work environment.
• Support professional development and continuous learning opportunities for staff.
• Promote accountability, teamwork, and excellence in the execution of assigned responsibilities.

Requested Minimum Qualifications
Education:

• A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution is required.
• Master's degree in Higher Education Administration, Business Administration, Public Administration, Nonprofit Management, Communications, Organizational Leadership, or a related field preferred.

Experience:

• At least seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in higher education, institutional advancement, nonprofit management, strategic planning, project management, fundraising, or a related field.
• Experience supporting senior executives and working collaboratively with leadership teams.

Other Preferences for Consideration
Preferences:

• A Master's Degree in Higher Education Administration, Business Administration, Public Administration, Nonprofit Management, Communications, Organizational Leadership, or a related field is preferred.
• Experience in fundraising, campaign planning, donor relations, or advancement operations preferred.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex projects and strategic initiatives involving multiple stakeholders.
• Knowledge of higher education advancement, fundraising, alumni engagement, stewardship, and nonprofit operations.
• Strong strategic planning, organizational leadership, and project management skills.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
• Ability to analyze complex issues, synthesize information, and develop actionable recommendations.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships and work effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and handle sensitive matters with discretion.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and advancement-related systems and technologies.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Knowledge, skills, & Abilities:

• Occasional evening and weekend work may be required.
• Occasional travel may be required in support of divisional priorities, donor engagement activities, and university events.
• Ability to work in a dynamic environment with multiple competing priorities and deadlines.
• Strategic thinking and executive presence
• Superior discretion and integrity with confidential information
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities
• Ability to lead, facilitate, and drive outcomes in meetings and across teams
• Proficiency in Google, MS Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Collegial, professional, and effective across all levels of an organization
• Commitment to the mission and values of Morgan State University

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number ST01601
Number of Vacancies 1
Job Open Date 07/21/2026
Application Review Date
Job Close Date 08/15/2026
Special Instructions to Applicant

• Please enter two professional and one personal reference in the References page of the application.
• Occasional evening and weekend work may be required.
• Occasional travel may be required in support of divisional priorities, donor engagement activities, and university events.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. * Do you have a bachelor's degree?
   • Yes
   • No
2. What is the highest level of education attained?
   • GED
   • High School Diploma
   • Associates Degree
   • Bachelors Degree
   • Masters Degree
   • PHD
3. * How many years of experience do you have in this type of position?
   • 0-1
   • 1-3
   • 3-5
   • 5-7
   • 7+
4. * Do you have at least seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in higher education, institutional advancement, nonprofit management, strategic planning, project management, fundraising, or a related field?
   • Yes
   • No
5. * Are you a current, past, or retired Morgan State University employee?Are you a current, past, or retired State employee?If YES to current, past, or retired STATE employee, please state the agency.If not applicable, put N/A.
   (Open Ended Question)

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

1. Resume
2. Cover Letter
3. Transcripts (unofficial )

Optional Documents

1. Curriculum Vitae
2. Writing Sample
3. Supporting Document