Senior Director of Global Programs and Strategic Initiatives

Department: Buffett Inst Global Affairs
Salary/Grade: EXS/13

The expected salary for this position is up to $125,000 per year, in alignment with departmental equity and market data.

Job Summary:

The Senior Director of Programs and Strategic Initiatives at the Roberta Buffett Institute for Global Affairs is responsible for strategic oversight of Buffett's full programs in partnership with the Faculty Director. The Senior Director is responsible for implementing the strategic planning and management of major programmatic initiatives and staffing. Reporting to the Faculty Director, the Senior Director of Programs and Strategic Initiatives plays a lead role in the growth and positioning of the Roberta Buffett Institute as both a world-class research institute and a powerhouse for undergraduate education at the intersection of academic study and real-world application. Further, the Senior Director helps to coordinate all programs and administrative units within Buffett, including the Keyman Program in Modern Turkish Studies; the Northwestern Security & AI Lab; the Equality, Development, and Globalization Studies (EDGS) initiative; and the Lal Global Entrepreneurship initiative.

The Senior Director leads coordination on all programs within Buffett across teams, with particular responsibility for complex programs such as the Scholars at Risk Program. The Senior Director is also the Institute's liaison to the Office of the Provost on policy implementation and other organizational issues as well as to the Office of Alumni Relations and Development, the Vice President for International Relations, and the Office for Research. The Senior Director is responsible for building strong relations and working collaboratively with Northwestern's Schools and units including the Weinberg College Center for International and Area Studies, the Roberta Buffett International Studies Program, the Havey Institute for Global Health, the Law School's Center for International Human Rights, and the Global Poverty Research Lab. The Senior Director of Programs and Strategic Initiatives also staffs the Buffett Board of Advisors, Global Council and Faculty Advisory Council and coordinates Buffett's leadership team of directors. The Senior Director works with the Faculty Director to benchmark Buffett's programs against those of our peer global affairs institutes and Schools in North America and worldwide.

The Senior Director's responsibilities will include the strategic expansion of Buffett's undergraduate initiative, with the aim of fostering new internationally-oriented courses in Northwestern's six undergraduate Schools; coordinating new opportunities for "Global Lab" courses; evaluating (in conjunction with the Director of Undergraduate Programs) new post-baccalaureate placement sites; and generally ensuring that the Buffett is offering students a set of unparalleled undergraduate experiences. The Senior Director will work with the Office of Admissions and Recruitment to ensure that the Buffett Institute is pitched to prospective students, and will coordinate strategy for reaching students early in their Northwestern careers. As Faculty Directors rotate in and out, the Senior Director will serve as the continuity figure, to ensure that students remain at the heart of Buffett's mission, according to Roberta Buffett Elliott's founding conception of the Institute.

Please note:

• Available for occasional evening and/or weekend events and/or meetings.
• Potential for infrequent domestic and/or international travel with advanced notice. Availability to participate periodically in programs and events outside of normal business hours.

Specific Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning and Implementation

• Serves as member of the Buffett Institute's senior leadership team, alongside Faculty Director and Deputy Director responsible for establishing strategic priorities. Provides continuity between Faculty Director appointments.
• Provides strategic oversight of all programs within Buffett
  • Advances the strategic vision of the Faculty Director and Faculty Advisory Council by developing and overseeing programs and new initiatives while ensuring that the budget, staff, and priorities are aligned with the Center's research and educational mission and the University's strategy.
  • Drives the development of evaluations attached to organizational priorities; proposes strategies to correct directions where necessary.
  • Works with the Faculty Director to prioritize among competing goals and initiatives, to identify and develop solutions to organizational challenges and to find creative and sustainable ways for the Buffett Institute to work with allied units to further university-wide globalization objectives.
  • Develops budgets with the Faculty Director and the Director of Finance & Administration and senior staff to ensure the organization is operating in a manner that supports the strategy and mission of the Institute and University, writ large.
  • Coordinates strategy among Buffett directors to ensure the development of a professional and efficient organization; establishes effective processes that will enable the Institute to achieve its long- and short-term goals and objectives.

Program Development

• Cultivates a strong working relationship with the Office of the Provost and other central units to further the Institute's international research and educational mission, and ensure open communication about financial, programmatic, and resultant impact toward strategic goals.
• Spearheads the expansion of the existing Buffett undergraduate initiative, developing School-specific opportunities for students to expand their international experiences and global reach.
• Works with the Faculty Director and Buffett Symposia Committee to develop topnotch convenings that serve the Northwestern and Chicago/Evanston community and increase the visibility and impact of the Buffett Institute globally.
• Coordinates the Institute's outreach to Schools and other allied research institutes at Northwestern to ensure opportunities for faculty and students.

Management - Educational and Research Programs

• Drives the planning, development, and allocation of resources for Institute activities to ensure the delivery of high quality, interdisciplinary educational, research and programming while managing for current and future growth. Oversee the administrative support for these programs, some of which include:
  • Provides day-to-day mentorship and guidance to directors on staffing, budget, risk management and organizational challenges
  • Serves as the chief administration lead for all Buffett staff- and faculty-led activities, including affiliated programs, the Buffett Global Working Groups, the Global and Faculty Advisory Councils, the Keyman Modern Turkish Studies program, the Equality Development and Globalization Studies program, the Northwestern Security & AI Lab and the new Lal Global Entrepreneurship Initiative.
  • Establishes and implements processes as they relate to new or ongoing programs and initiatives.
  • Leads the senior staff team of the Institute to ensure coordination among programs and to drive strategic results and advance new initiatives.

Board Relations and Development

• Serves as primary liaison to ARD, oversees all annual reporting on grants, including the Buffett Endowment Funds, the Daniels Fund and the Lal Fund.
• Supports the work of the Buffett Faculty Advisory Council, the Global Council, and external Board of Advisors; oversees the implementation of their decisions.
• Provides strategic input and supports the director in donor relations and alumni and development activities.

Management - Staff

• Oversees the attraction, retention, and development of high-performance staff throughout the Institute. Develops and implement professional development plans as appropriate for each individual.
• Supports the organization's staff, to contribute to the success of Institute programs, research and activities.
• Guides training and development of staff throughout the Institute. Develops and models a culture of ethical conduct in operations and personal interactions.
• Facilitates collaboration and strong internal communications with faculty and staff leaders throughout the organization.
• Creates and promotes a positive work environment that supports consistency throughout the organization's strategy, operational methods, and evaluation.

Management - Space Resources

• Works collaboratively with the Buffett business team, the Office of the Provost and Facilities to plan for growth and the associated need for additional space. Oversee the development of plans for the reassignment of space, movement of faculty/staff/student offices, etc. This will be especially important as Institute operations move into the Jacobs Center.
• Oversee the development of optimal processes for the use of conference/event, shared office, and classroom spaces assigned to the Institute.

Representation of Buffett Institute Outside Northwestern

• Serves as the Buffett Institute's liaison to external partner institutions and foundations or prospective donors
• Deputized when necessary to represent the Buffett Institute to external stakeholders, including meetings of peer global institutes/schools; U7+ Alliance; Big Ten Academic Alliance.
• Participates in the development of Northwestern's global strategy; works with key partners across the University to elevate the University's global rankings.
• Identifies opportunities and implements strategies to engage community partners and other key stakeholders in Buffett activities.
• Coordinates international outreach and engagement strategies across Buffett's programs/initiatives with the Director of Communications and Outreach.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Ph.d. in international education, international affairs or related field

• 10+ years' work experience with progressively larger managerial responsibilities, or equivalent of education and experience.

• Strategic planning experience in international fields, globalization, and/or research.

• Outstanding understanding of the landscape of international education; institutes and schools for global/international affairs.

• Demonstrated leadership ability and excellence in organizational management with the proven ability to manage high-performance teams in a higher education context.

• Culturally competent: associates effectively with people from different cultures, ethnicities, backgrounds, and identities. Able to create an environment of understanding and acceptance.

• Experience in developing curriculum for undergraduates as well as mentorship programs for international students.

• Demonstrated ability to set and achieve strategic objectives.

• Able to work independently and also be an accomplished team player.

• Excellent analytical and abstract reasoning skills: demonstrated ability to think creatively, solve problems, plan directions, overcome obstacles and successfully manage multiple projects from concept through final delivery.

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with a wide variety of stakeholders including faculty, university administrators, staff, alumni, students, benefactors, and external partners.

• Able to maintain confidentiality, act diplomatically, and handle difficult situations.

• Adept at developing and improving processes; proficient in project management.

• Able to work under pressure, prioritize, and meet deadlines.

• Proactive, energetic, innovative.

• Exceptional writing and interpersonal communication skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in the higher education and/or non-profit sectors.

• Experience in international arenas, including programs for visiting scholars.

• Classroom teaching experience and experience in coordinating student travel/work abroad.

• Experience in career development for new graduates.

• Research experience in international and global issues.

• Experience building international partnerships.

• Experience in supporting philanthropic development.

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.

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