Associate Director of Strategic Initiatives | LEO

Company Description

The University of Notre Dame is more than a workplace! We are a vibrant, mission-driven community where every employee is valued and supported. Rooted in a tradition of excellence and inspired by our Catholic character, Notre Dame is committed to fostering an environment of care that nurtures the whole person-mind, body, and spirit. Here, you will find a deep sense of belonging, a culture that prioritizes well-being, and the opportunity to grow your career while being a force for good in the world. Whether contributing to world-class research, shaping the student experience, or supporting the University's mission in other ways, you will be part of a dedicated team working to make a meaningful impact on campus and beyond. At Notre Dame, your work matters, and so do you!

Job Description

LEO is seeking a strategic, relationship-driven, and mission-oriented leader to serve as its Associate Director of Strategic Initiatives - a high-impact role focused on advancing the organization's growth, partnerships, and long-term sustainability. Reporting directly to the Managing Director, this position will drive resource development efforts, steward high-level external relationships, lead strategic initiatives, and support executive priorities that expand LEO's reach and influence across philanthropic, university, nonprofit, and policy communities. Serving as an extension of LEO leadership, the Associate Director will oversee proposal development, stakeholder engagement, board operations, and cross-campus collaboration while helping strengthen the partnerships and infrastructure that support evidence-based solutions to poverty. Ideal candidates are seasoned professionals with exceptional communication, strategic planning, and relationship management skills who thrive in fast-paced, mission-driven environments and are energized by meaningful social impact.

Who we are

The Wilson Sheehan Lab for Economic Opportunities (LEO) at the University of Notre Dame is a research center dedicated to reducing poverty by partnering with service providers to conduct rigorous impact evaluations. LEO's mission is to improve lives through evidence-based programs and policies, empowering decision-makers with data that drives lasting social change.

As LEO continues to grow nationally, the opportunity to expand its reach, partnerships, and long-term impact continues to grow as well. The Associate Director of Strategic Initiatives will play a key role in advancing that momentum by supporting resource development efforts, stewarding high-level partnerships, coordinating strategic initiatives, and strengthening engagement across philanthropic, university, nonprofit, and policy communities. Positioned at the intersection of strategy, executive leadership, and external engagement, this role will help drive organizational growth, support board and stakeholder initiatives, and expand LEO's ability to advance evidence-based solutions that improve lives.

Who we need

LEO is seeking a strategic, relationship-driven, and mission-oriented professional to serve as its Associate Director of Strategic Initiatives. Reporting to the Managing Director, this role will help advance LEO's long-term growth and sustainability through prospect research, strategic partnerships, board engagement, executive-level project management, and high-impact external relations. The Associate Director will serve as a trusted partner to LEO leadership and a key liaison to benefactors, foundations, university stakeholders, and external partners while leading proposal development, stewardship efforts, strategic communications, and special initiatives that strengthen LEO's reach and organizational impact.

This role is ideal for a seasoned professional with exceptional written and verbal communication, relationship management, and strategic planning skills who thrives in fast-paced, mission-driven environments. Preferred candidates will be collaborative, proactive, and highly self-directed, with a proven track record of successfully procuring resources. They'll have the ability to manage complex initiatives, navigate executive-level engagement, and build meaningful partnerships that advance evidence-based solutions to poverty and expand LEO's long-term influence and effectiveness.

The Associate Director of Strategic Initiatives' top priorities will be:

Strategic Leadership & Organizational Planning

• Lead strategic initiatives and complex problem-solving efforts that require sound judgment and innovative thinking
• Independently plan and implement programs, projects, and organizational priorities aligned with LEO's long-term goals
• Develop and refine operational policies, procedures, and workflows that strengthen organizational effectiveness and impact

Resource Development & Stewardship

• Advance continued stewardship or resources through resource development efforts, proposal writing, and strategic funding initiatives
• Partner with the University of Notre Dame Development team to cultivate and steward relationships with benefactors and funding partners
• Support annual grant and partnership goals that sustain and expand LEO's long-term impact

Executive Partnership & External Engagement

• Serve as a strategic extension of the Managing Director in external engagement, partnership cultivation, and stakeholder relation
• Act as a key liaison across university and external partner networks, including Advancement, Corporate Relations, and Federal Relations teams
• Lead high-priority special projects that advance LEO's strategic and institutional goals

Board & Stakeholder Engagement

• Lead operations and engagement efforts for LEO's Board of Advisors, including meeting strategy, communications, and relationship management
• Cultivate strategic relationships with stakeholders, funders, and partners to strengthen organizational visibility and support
• Develop compelling proposals, presentations, and communications tailored to executive and external audience

Leadership & Professional Excellence

• Influence and coordinate across teams and stakeholders through collaboration, strategic communication, and relationship-driven leadership
• Manage multiple executive-level and cross-functional initiatives within a fast-paced, high-performing environment
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to the missions of the University of Notre Dame and Wilson Sheehan Lab for Economic Opportunities while independently driving initiatives from strategy to execution

Qualifications

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Minimum of 7+ years of relevant professional experience in strategic partnership development, stakeholder engagement, prospect research and resource procurement, executive-level project management, and cross-functional leadership, preferably within a nonprofit, higher education, policy, or mission-driven environment

Required:

• Deep commitment to the mission of the University of Notre Dame and a passion for advancing evidence-driven solutions that serve the common good
• Exceptional relationship-building skills with a demonstrated ability to cultivate meaningful partnerships
• Advance strategic resource development and stewardship efforts across diverse stakeholders and benefactors
• Proven ability to lead and execute multiple high-level, cross-functional initiatives within complex, fast-paced, and mission-driven environments
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to develop compelling proposals, presentations, and strategic communications for executive and external audience
• Ability to thrive in a rapidly growing organization with a strong culture of excellence, collaboration, accountability, and innovation
• Highly proactive, self-directed, and execution-oriented, with the ability to independently drive initiatives from strategy through successful completion

Preferred:

• Master's degree preferred
• Experience working within a university or higher education setting
• Familiarity with nonprofit, public sector, or social impact organizations

This is a five-year, limited-term position. Contingent on funding, the position may be extended.

Additional Information

Application Deadline : June 18, 2026

Hiring Pay Range : Up to $125,000 / Commensurate with experience.

Location : LEO is based at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana. Because we value the community, collaboration, and relationship-building that comes from in-person engagement, we anticipate an on-site presence for this position but remain open to flexible arrangements for exceptional candidates.

Term : This is a five-year, limited-term position. Contingent on funding, the position may be extended.

Required Application Materials : A resume and cover letter are required to be considered for this position. Please upload both documents in the Attachments section of your application.

The University of Notre Dame seeks to attract, develop, and retain the highest quality faculty, staff and administration. The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or age in employment. Moreover, Notre Dame prohibits discrimination against veterans or disabled qualified individuals, and complies with 41 CFR 60-741.5(a) and 41 CFR 60-300.5(a). We strongly encourage applications from candidates attracted to a university with a Catholic identity.