Exec Dir, Strategic Initiatives & Ops

University of Kentucky; Lexington (KY); On-site; USD 110,000 - 187,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

UK’s Exceptional Benefits

Job summary

The University of Kentucky is seeking an Executive Director, Strategic Initiatives & Operations to serve as a key partner to the Dean of the Rosenberg College of Law. This senior leadership role provides strategic, operational, and administrative leadership in support of the college’s mission and long-term goals.

Working with faculty, staff, university leadership, alumni, donors, and partners, the Executive Director translates strategic priorities into action while strengthening the college’s

Qualifications

• JD required with at least 6 years of related leadership experience.
• Proven ability to lead strategic initiatives and cross-functional teams.
• Strong writing, verbal communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Experience coordinating budgets, operations, and organizational planning.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the Dean to define and evaluate strategic priorities.
• Provide leadership for college operations and planning.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives across academic and administrative areas.
• Develop communication strategies to raise the college's visibility.
• Represent the Dean and college in university and community settings.
• Engage with alumni, donors, and legal community.
• Collaborate on budget planning and long-range strategy.
• Foster collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Judgment & discretion

Change management

Strategic thinking

Project management

Education

JD

Job description

University of Kentucky

Equal Employment Opportunity/M/F/disability/protected veteran status.

Posting Details

Job Title: Exec Dir, Strategic Initiatives & Ops

Requisition Number: RE55368

Working Title: Executive Director, Strategic Initiatives & Operations

Department Name: 8K000:College of Law

Work Location: Lexington, KY

Grade Level: 52

Salary Range: $110,157-187,262/year

Type of Position: Staff

Position Time Status: Full-Time

Required Education: JD

Required Related Experience: 6 yrs

Required License/Registration/Certification: None

Physical Requirements: sitting for long periods of time; some standing and walking; lifting objects up to 25 lbs.

Shift: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm; Some evenings and weekends

Job Summary

Help Shape the Future of a Leading Law School

The University of Kentucky is seeking an Executive Director, Strategic Initiatives & Operations to serve as a key partner to the Dean of the Rosenberg College of Law.

This senior leadership role provides strategic, operational, and administrative leadership in support of the college’s mission and long-term goals. Working closely with faculty, staff, university leadership, alumni, donors, and community partners, the Executive Director helps translate strategic priorities into meaningful action while strengthening the college’s reputation, effectiveness, and impact.

What You’ll Do

• Partner with the Dean to develop, implement, and evaluate strategic priorities and initiatives
• Provide leadership and oversight for college operations, administration, and organizational planning
• Lead cross-functional projects that support academic excellence, student success, research, and institutional growth
• Develop and coordinate communication strategies that advance the college’s mission and visibility
• Serve as a representative of the Dean and college in university, professional, and community settings
• Support engagement with alumni, donors, legal professionals, government leaders, and community stakeholders
• Collaborate on budget planning, resource allocation, and long-range operational strategies
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement

What You’ll Bring

• Experience leading strategic initiatives and complex organizational operations
• Strong leadership, relationship-building, and stakeholder engagement skills
• Exceptional written and verbal communication abilities
• Sound judgment, discretion, and problem-solving capabilities
• Experience managing organizational change and advancing institutional priorities
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with operational execution
• Strong organizational, planning, and project management skills

Minimum Requirements

• Juris Doctor (J.D.)
• 6 years of related experience

What’s In It for You

• Meaningful impact: Help guide the strategic direction and growth of the Rosenberg College of Law
• Executive leadership opportunity: Work closely with the Dean on high-priority initiatives and institutional decisions
• Broad influence: Engage with faculty, students, alumni, donors, legal professionals, and university leaders
• Dynamic work: Blend strategy, operations, communications, and external engagement responsibilities
• Collaborative environment: Partner with stakeholders across the university and legal community
• UK’s Exceptional Benefits

Why Now?

The legal profession and higher education landscape continue to evolve, creating new opportunities and challenges for law schools. As the Rosenberg College of Law advances its strategic vision, strong leadership and operational coordination are essential to turning ambitious goals into measurable outcomes.

In this role, you’ll help guide key initiatives, strengthen external partnerships, enhance organizational effectiveness, and support the college’s continued growth and reputation. Your leadership will contribute directly to the success of the college, its students, and the communities it serves.

Our University Community

We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients, and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.

The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.

Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.

Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Deadline to Apply: 08/12/2026

Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? Yes