Senior Associate Director, Strategic Initiatives and Campaigns

Department: Alumni Relations & Development | Grade: EXS/10

The target budgeted salary for this position is $90,000 to $98,000 annually. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

About the role

The Strategic Initiatives and Campaigns Team at Northwestern University develops, coordinates, and manages systems and processes to support the University’s next comprehensive campaign and select fundraising initiatives spanning the University’s academic and programmatic ecosystem. Working closely with the Alumni Relations and Development Executive Team, school and unit-based fundraising teams, and university leadership, the team serves as a key link between strategy and execution, responsible for planning and implementing coordinated structures that drive operational excellence in support of the University’s campaign ambitions.

Reporting to the Associate Vice President, Strategic Initiatives for Alumni Relations and Development (ARD), the Senior Associate Director, Strategic Initiatives and Campaigns (SADSIC) will provide oversight for the planning, tracking, and execution of the University’s next comprehensive campaign and select University-wide initiatives core to the campaign’s success. The role involves partnering with the AVP to align stakeholders, manage project plans, and drive successful campaign outcomes through integration, collaboration, and shared accountability.

This position will also manage the Program Assistant supporting the Strategic Initiatives and Campaigns Team and work closely with the ARD Executive Team to track and monitor progress across all key campaign metrics. The office operates in a hybrid model, offering the option of working three days in the office and two days remote, with occasional travel throughout the year.

Responsibilities

• Supports efforts to align campaign strategy and activity across campus, synthesizing and coordinating across departments to ensure integration of campaign principles, priorities, and messaging.
• Designs, implements, and maintains project management systems to track campaign planning workstreams and timelines.
• Works closely with the AVPSI to manage and engage the campaign committee and campaign volunteer leadership.
• Develops campaign resources to report and analyze progress toward campaign goals and university priorities in partnership with colleagues.
• Provides regular updates on campaign fundraising and engagement to key stakeholders, including ARD, units and divisions, volunteer and University leadership, and others as needed.
• Manages and oversees the Program Assistant for the Strategic Initiatives and Campaigns team.
• Serves as a campaign content expert and resource to ARD for all campaign-related matters.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• 6 years of operations, administration, development, or equivalent experience.

Qualifications

• Experience in higher education fundraising, strategic planning, campaign management, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success supporting large-scale comprehensive fundraising campaigns and institutional strategic initiatives.
• Experience collaborating with senior leadership, development officers, faculty leaders, alumni volunteers, and boards.
• Strong project management, analytical, and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including experience preparing executive-level presentations and reports.
• Proficiency with CRM systems and fundraising analytics.

Benefits

• Health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
• Paid vacation, holidays, medical/sick leave, and parental leave.
• Tuition benefits for the employee and dependents.
• Pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care.
• Retirement savings options.
• Wellness programs.
• Work-life and wellness support, including flexible work arrangements, childcare, and senior/adult care resources.
• Professional growth and development opportunities, including career development tools and educational resources.