Executive Director for Strategic Initiatives and Global Higher Education

Duke University:

Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

Occupational Summary

The Executive Director advises and supports the Associate Provost, coordinating initiatives and managing both short- and long-term priorities and activities. Representing the Associate Provost's interests in a highly matrixed and global research university, this role requires providing strategic and operational support, facilitating communication and collaboration among internal and external stakeholders, overseeing critical projects from start to finish, and adapting to the evolving needs of high-impact entrepreneurial projects with flexibility and resilience.

This position manages the daily logistical and operational needs of the office, ensuring efficiency and optimal use of resources. The Executive Director also coordinates projects that support the Associate Provost’s agenda, ensuring they progress according to objectives, milestones, and measurement criteria. Key responsibilities include collaborating on university-wide initiatives, supporting short-term consulting projects, and advancing global education programs and thought leadership strategies. Specific programs include but are not limited to, supporting the Provost’s Initiatives on Free Inquiry, Pluralism, and Belonging; on the Middle East; and on Teaching Excellence and Innovation. In the global education space, this role will also support the Global Alliance for Innovation and Access in Higher Education (GAIA); the Institute for Global Higher Education (IGHE); and Academic Strategy and Learning Innovation at Duke Kunshan University (DKU).

The ideal candidate will have exceptional organizational, communication, and management skills, and be adept at handling dynamic situations and motivating teams. This role involves close collaboration with Director-level direct reports to the Associate Provost and with Provost Office Senior Staff, as well as faculty and administrators across Duke University. Additionally, the candidate will work with Duke Kunshan University, members of domestic and global university consortiums, policymakers, foundations, and donors to develop program strategies, garner support for initiatives, and navigate various academic and administrative systems.

This role reports to the Associate Provost.

Work Performed

Strategic and Operational Support (35%)

• Provide insights and guidance to the Associate Provost on strategic decisions and initiatives and assist in decision-making processes by providing relevant information and analysis.
• Support, coordinate, and advance the work of direct reports to the Associate Provost in the U.S. and in China. Facilitate communication, organize meetings, assign tasks, and ensure that team members are aligned with project goals.
• Act as a bridge between the Associate Provost and Vice Provosts, Provost Office Senior Staff, Deans, the President’s Office and various internal teams and external partners.
• Streamline operations, implement efficient processes, take and distribute meeting minutes, and follow up on action items.
• Plan and coordinate events, including meetings, conferences, and workshops, ensuring all logistical details are managed effectively and taking direct responsibility when needed for routine operational details.
• Oversee the development and implementation of strategic initiatives, track and manage projects, providing regular updates and ensuring timely completion.
• Handle communications and preparing reports, both internal and external, to ensure clear and consistent messaging.
• Organize team building and professional development opportunities to enhance team skills and knowledge.
• Identify and address issues proactively, finding innovative solutions to challenges.

Program Development and Management (35%)

• Manage, coordinate, and collaborate on various programs and projects across multiple units and global campuses. Drive critical projects from conception to completion, ensuring high standards and alignment with university goals, policies and regulations.
• Establish new university initiatives and start-up programs by directly staffing the initial development phases and overseeing day-to-day operations to ensure smooth functionality during the early stages. Transition initiatives to other leaders as needed.
• Encourage and integrate innovative practices and technologies to keep programs dynamic and forward-thinking.
• Advise on and help develop policies related to program development and management. Provide guidance and training to faculty and staff involved in program development and management.

Communications and Outreach (15%)

• Develop and execute communication strategies to promote initiatives and engage stakeholders, ensuring all content is high-quality, accurate, and aligns with the thought leadership brand.
• Prepare and organize documents, reports, and presentations and collaborate on developing insightful articles, whitepapers, and social media posts to share innovative ideas and research.
• Ensure that conferences, webinars, and other events are well planned and staffed.
• Foster relationships with internal and external partners.

Financial Management and Fundraising (15%)

• Oversee an annual budget of ~$2.5M across a matrixed set of offices and units, guiding and assisting with budgeting, financial planning, and resource allocation.
• Coordinate with direct reports to the Associate Provost and with Provost Office Senior Staff to ensure preparation of annual budgets; monitor, verify and reconciles expenses; develop forecasts for future program growth and new efforts.
• Ensure that financial policies are set and followed to ensure that resources are used well and in accordance with university policy and donor intent.
• Support and coordinate relationship building with individual donors, foundations, and companies and conceive and investigate revenue-driving opportunities and services.

Job Requirements

Education/Training

Masters degree required in business administration, public sector administration, public policy, higher education, or other related field preferred.

Experience

Minimum of 8 years of management experience required, including program management and staff supervision experience, preferably in a highly complex, matrixed organization such as a research university.

Skills and Qualifications:

• Exceptional skills in executive support and strategic planning, adept at navigating dynamic situations, maintaining flexibility, and motivating teams.
• Proven experience in project management, overseeing and driving critical projects from conception to completion.
• Excellent verbal and written communication to effectively convey messages and interact with various stakeholders, edit documents and presentations, and support communication strategies across various platforms.
• Leads and communicates in a manner that fosters understanding, engagement and commitment to results.
• Ability to thrive in fast-paced, changing environments and to work within deadlines and as a team-player with the leaders of the organization.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a focus on innovation and problem-solving; Rely on extensive experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals.

Job Code: 00001962 EXEC DIR, STRATEGIC INITIATIVES
Job Level: 16

Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $76,628 to USD $153,254. Duke University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills; internal peer equity; as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

Your total compensation goes beyond the dollars on your paycheck. Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members. Learn more at: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability,gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.