Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives

Scion Executive Search; Appleton (WI); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Schedule flexibility

Collaborative culture

Direct exposure to executive leaders

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Scion Executive Search is partnering with a respected philanthropic organization to recruit a Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives in Appleton, WI. This full-time, hybrid role focuses on advancing high-impact initiatives, building partnerships, and guiding complex projects from concept to implementation.

The ideal candidate translates vision into actionable priorities, leads cross-functional efforts, and strengthens community impact through collaborative leadership, strategic thinking, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, public administration, business administration, public policy, organizational leadership, or related field.
• An advanced degree is preferred.
• Significant progressive leadership experience in strategic initiatives, organizational strategy, program development, community impact, nonprofit management, philanthropy, consulting, or closely related field.
• Demonstrated success leading complex, cross-functional initiatives with multiple stakeholders and measurable outcomes.
• Strong understanding of nonprofit organizations, community development, philanthropy, and collaborative approaches.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the CEO to advance organizational strategy and lead high-impact initiatives.
• Direct cross-functional projects from concept to execution, evaluation, and improvement.
• Identify emerging community needs and opportunities for strategic investment and collaboration.
• Develop relationships with nonprofits, community leaders, philanthropic partners, and public-sector stakeholders.
• Facilitate collaborative initiatives that align resources and address complex challenges.
• Ensure initiatives align with objectives, capabilities, and available resources.
• Set goals, plans, timelines, and accountability structures for successful execution.
• Provide strategic analysis and recommendations for executive decision-making.
• Prepare strategic presentations and reports for the Board and key stakeholders.
• Evaluate impact and scale successful approaches; lead organizational change.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Relationship building

Project management

Change management

Executive communication

Analytical thinking

Cross-functional collaboration

Influence skills

Emotional intelligence

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

Scion Executive Search is excited to partner with a highly respected, community-focused philanthropic organization in the search for an accomplished Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives . This leadership opportunity offers the chance to shape and advance high-impact initiatives that strengthen communities, foster collaboration, and create lasting regional impact. The ideal candidate is a strategic, relationship-driven leader with a demonstrated ability to translate organizational vision into actionable priorities, lead complex projects, and build meaningful partnerships across the nonprofit, philanthropic, public, and private sectors. This is a full-time, hybrid position based in Appleton, WI offering a flexible schedule and a collaborative, mission-driven working environment.

About the Role

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives will serve as a key strategic partner in advancing organizational priorities, leading special initiatives, and strengthening the organization's ability to respond to evolving community needs and opportunities. This leader will work across organizational functions and with external stakeholders to design, coordinate, and execute strategic projects that advance the organization's mission and long-term objectives. The position requires a sophisticated understanding of organizational strategy, community engagement, partnership development, and change management, coupled with the ability to move seamlessly between big-picture thinking and hands-on implementation. The ideal candidate is a collaborative and resourceful leader who thrives in a dynamic environment, exercises sound judgment, and brings the credibility and interpersonal skills necessary to influence diverse stakeholders. This individual will play an important role in helping the organization identify emerging opportunities, navigate complex challenges, and translate ambitious ideas into sustainable community outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Partner closely with the CEO to advance organizational strategy, establish priorities, and lead the implementation of high-impact strategic initiatives.
• Direct complex, cross-functional projects from initial concept and planning through execution, evaluation, and continuous improvement.
• Identify emerging community needs, philanthropic trends, and opportunities for strategic investment, collaboration, and organizational innovation.
• Develop and strengthen relationships with nonprofit organizations, community leaders, philanthropic partners, businesses, and public-sector stakeholders to advance shared priorities.
• Facilitate collaborative initiatives that bring together diverse stakeholders, align resources, and address complex community challenges.
• Work across internal departments to ensure strategic initiatives are aligned with organizational objectives, operational capabilities, and available resources.
• Establish clear project goals, implementation plans, timelines, performance measures, and accountability structures to support successful execution.
• Provide strategic analysis, research, and recommendations to inform executive decision-making and long-term organizational planning.
• Support the CEO in preparing strategic presentations, reports, proposals, and communications for the Board of Directors and other key stakeholders.
• Evaluate the effectiveness and impact of strategic initiatives, identifying opportunities to strengthen outcomes, improve processes, and scale successful approaches.
• Lead organizational change and continuous improvement efforts that enhance collaboration, efficiency, and mission delivery.
• Represent the organization in strategic meetings, community forums, and collaborative partnerships, serving as a credible and thoughtful ambassador for its mission.
• Manage competing priorities, navigate ambiguity, and proactively resolve challenges to maintain momentum on critical organizational initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, public administration, business administration, public policy, organizational leadership, or a related field.
• An advanced degree is preferred.
• Significant progressive leadership experience in strategic initiatives, organizational strategy, program development, community impact, nonprofit management, philanthropy, consulting, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated success leading complex, cross-functional initiatives involving multiple stakeholders, competing priorities, and measurable organizational or community outcomes.
• Strong understanding of nonprofit organizations, community development, philanthropy, and collaborative approaches to addressing complex social and regional challenges.
• Proven ability to build and sustain productive relationships with executive leaders, nonprofit partners, community stakeholders, and other influential decision-makers.
• Exceptional strategic thinking, analytical reasoning, project management, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Experience translating broad strategic objectives into practical implementation plans, measurable milestones, and sustainable results.
• Strong executive communication and presentation skills, including the ability to synthesize complex information and provide clear recommendations to senior leadership and governing boards.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through influence, build consensus, and navigate organizational change in collaborative, mission-driven environments.
• High degree of emotional intelligence, political acumen, discretion, and sound professional judgement.
• Self-directed and adaptable leadership style, with the ability to balance long-term strategic priorities with immediate operational needs.
• Genuine commitment to community impact, equitable access to opportunity, and the role of philanthropy in strengthening communities.
• Ability to participate in occasional evening meetings, community events, and other professional engagements as needed.

Compensation & Benefits

• Annual salary of $100,000-$110,000 DOE
• Full-time, hybrid work arrangement with scheduling flexibility
• Collaborative, mission-driven organizational culture
• Opportunity to work directly with executive leadership and influence high-impact organizational priorities
• Comprehensive employee benefits package (details to be provided during the interview process)

Scion Executive Search is an equal opportunity employer and service provider and does not discriminate based on race, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, political affiliation, or any other protected class. We are committed to the principles of Equal Opportunity Employment and are dedicated to making employment decisions based on merit and value, for ourselves, our client companies, and the candidates we represent. For opportunities located in a region that has enacted fair chance, arrest, or conviction-based employment ordinances, Scion Executive Search proactively follows the enacted guidance and considers for employment all qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. We engage in socially conscious business practices and believe that diverse, inclusive, and non-biased talent and recruitment processes are foundational to the success of Scion as well as every client organization with whom we partner.