Director of the Raftery Institute for Womens Leadership

Job Description

Job Description

Director of the Raftery Institute for Women’s Leadership

About Saint Elizabeth University:

Saint Elizabeth University (SEU), located in Morris County, New Jersey, offers convenient access to major highways including Routes 287, 280, 80, 10, and 24, as well as the nearby Convent Station train station. Established in 1899 by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, the University is situated on 150 scenic acres of rolling hills and wooded landscapes. Rooted in the Catholic liberal arts tradition, SEU provides a high-quality education that serves students of diverse ages, backgrounds, and cultures, fostering both academic excellence and personal growth.

SEU Mission & Commitment:

SEU is devoted to providing educational and career training opportunities to traditionally underserved communities and is characterized by small class sizes and a highly communal student-centered culture emphasizing individualized attention. SEU is a federally designated Minority-Serving and Hispanic-Serving Institution. Our traditional undergraduate population is 38 percent Black, and our total enrollment is 30 percent Hispanic, while 47 percent of our students are first-generation college students. In addition, 76 percent of our first-time freshmen are low-income students eligible for federal Pell funding; many come to us with unique challenges related to their financial, social, academic, mental, and physical health. Saint Elizabeth University seeks to foster and maintain a diverse campus community through inclusive excellence and equal opportunity. SEU has long preserved its legacy of providing quality education and access for underserved populations, particularly in fields and career paths traditionally beyond the reach of marginalized and often disenfranchised communities. In our traditional co-educational undergraduate enrollment today, women outnumber men two-to-one. SEU has a long legacy of educating women who thrive in STEM and healthcare professions and continues to produce diverse women and men as leaders equipped with a deeper appreciation of inclusion in its various forms. We strive to ensure that all graduates realize their potential through hard work and an exceptional education that is unimpeded by irrational self-doubt or societal biases.

The Winifred M. Johanson ’67 Director of the Raftery Institute for Women’s Leadership provides strategic, administrative, and visionary leadership for the Sister Francis Raftery Institute for Women’s Leadership. The Director is responsible for designing, implementing, and evaluating academic, co-curricular, and community-facing programs centered on women’s leadership; supporting student development initiatives; advancing fundraising through grants and annual appeals in partnership with University Advancement; and overseeing signature conferences and events that promote the Institute’s mission.

This role promotes the Institute as a premier catalyst for women’s leadership development, rooted in Catholic Social Teaching and committed to integrity, social responsibility, and advancing the common good. The Director also actively positions the Institute as a distinctive recruitment asset for prospective students and families seeking transformative women’s leadership education at Saint Elizabeth University.

Mission Alignment

The Director ensures all Institute programming reflects and advances the mission to prepare and position women for leadership roles through transformative personal and professional opportunities while amplifying the voices of future generations of women leaders. Guided by the principles of solidarity with the poor, service to the community, and the pursuit of systemic justice, the Director cultivates inclusive and empowering pathways for women from all backgrounds.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership and Administration

• Lead the strategic planning, growth, and ongoing evaluation of the Raftery Institute in alignment with University mission, values, and academic goals.
• Manage Institute budgets, reporting, assessment, and operational planning.
• Strengthen the visibility, reputation, and impact of the Institute on campus, regionally, and nationally.
• Build collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders to expand program reach and opportunities.

2. Academic and Student Programming

• Design, implement, and assess curricular and co-curricular programs that support women’s leadership development, including seminars, workshops, speaker series, leadership training, and mentoring initiatives.
• Partner with academic departments to integrate women’s leadership topics into academic courses, pathways, and experiential learning.
• Support student engagement through leadership fellowships, internships, student-led projects, and community engagement initiatives.
• Provide mentorship and development opportunities for students participating in Institute programs.

3. Fundraising and Grant Development

• Collaborate closely with University Advancement to develop, execute, and support fundraising strategies that sustain and expand Institute programs.
• Collaborate closely with Academic Affairs to prepare and submit grant proposals to foundations, corporations, and other funding bodies.
• Contribute to annual appeals by providing narratives, impact data, donor-facing program descriptions, and stewardship materials.
• Cultivate relationships with donors, alumnae, foundations, and community partners interested in women’s leadership initiatives.

4. Conference and Event Planning

• Plan, organize, and execute major annual conferences, symposia, and summits focused on women’s leadership, professional development, and social responsibility.
• Coordinate logistics, speakers, marketing, participant engagement, and post-event reporting.
• Develop signature events that enhance the Institute’s profile and foster interdisciplinary dialogue.

5. Student Recruitment and Institutional Visibility

• Position the Raftery Institute as a distinctive and compelling feature of the Saint Elizabeth University student experience to support undergraduate and graduate recruitment.
• Partner with the Office of Admission to showcase Institute programs, student outcomes, leadership pathways, and community impact during recruitment events, campus visits, and outreach campaigns.
• Develop materials, presentations, and stories that highlight the Institute’s uniqueness and attract prospective students committed to women’s leadership and social responsibility.
• Engage alumnae and current students to share their experiences as ambassadors for prospective students.

6. Community Partnerships and Outreach

• Establish and sustain a vibrant Advisory Board for the Institute.
• Build partnerships with nonprofits, corporations, community organizations, and government agencies that expand leadership and service opportunities for women.
• Represent the Institute at regional and national organizations, networks, and conferences dedicated to women’s leadership.
• Advance community-based initiatives centered on social responsibility, solidarity with marginalized groups, and systemic justice.

7. Assessment and Reporting

• Compile and analyze data on program participation, outcomes, and effectiveness.
• Produce annual reports that document progress toward strategic goals, fundraising achievements, and community impact.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in education, leadership studies, social sciences, nonprofit management, or a related field.
• Three – Five years of higher education or related non-profit experience
• Demonstrated experience developing programs related to leadership development, women's studies, student engagement, or related areas.
• Proven success in grant writing, fundraising, or advancement partnerships.
• Experience planning and executing conferences or large-scale events.
• Strong understanding of Catholic Social Teaching, social justice principles, and mission-driven education.
• Exceptional communication, organizational, and relationship-building skills.

Salary Range: $90,000 to $100,000

Why Choose Saint Elizabeth University?

Saint Elizabeth University offers a positive work environment, dedicated leadership, faculty, and staff who are committed to excellence, and an attractive benefits and compensation package.

Full-time Faculty and Staff Benefits Include:

• Employer-Subsidized Health Care Plan
• Dental and Vision Plan – (Paid by employee)
• Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts
• 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan with Employer Match
• Group Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance (No cost to employee)
• Supplemental Insurance Available for Employee, Spouse, and Dependents
• Other Voluntary Plans (Legal, Identity-Theft, Accident, Critical Care, etc.)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Tuition Remission for Employee, Spouse, and/or Dependents
• Tuition Exchange Program offering Reciprocal Scholarships Nationwide at 600+ Colleges and Universities
• Paid State and Federal holidays, as well as the week before and the week after Christmas off with pay
• Paid Days Off on Fridays in the Summer Months
• Birthday as a Paid Day Off
• Vacation Days
• Sick Days
• Employee Discount Program

How to Apply

• Applications should consist of a cover letter, resume, and three professional references with email addresses and/or telephone numbers.
• Saint Elizabeth University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.
• Applicants from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
• Saint Elizabeth University is a designated minority serving undergraduate institution.

EEO/AA Statement:

Saint Elizabeth University is committed to fostering a community grounded in collaboration, innovation, creativity, and a strong sense of belonging. Our collective success is driven by the open and respectful exchange of ideas—an exchange that is enriched by the diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences. We believe that this environment thrives when all individuals feel welcomed, safe, secure, and heard.

In support of this commitment, Saint Elizabeth University provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

Any information collected for Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) or Affirmative Action reporting purposes will be used solely in compliance with applicable regulations. Providing this information is voluntary and will not affect an applicant’s opportunity for employment or the terms and conditions of employment.