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Director, Strategic Initiatives

DePaul Talent Acquisition
Chicago, IL Full Time
POSTED ON 9/7/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 11/7/2026


The Highlights:

Reporting to the Senior Vice President, the Director of Strategic Initiatives will manage Senior Vice President's (SVP) special projects and outreach related to the SVP’s portfolio of donors. Coordinate with faculty, staff, students, families, alumni, donors and the public on behalf of the SVP and university. Collaborate closely with university administrative and academic leadership.

Serve the SVP as a resource to and liaison with external agencies as well as internal constituencies including the SVP’s portfolio of donors, vice presidents, deans, faculty, staff, students, parents, alumni, donors, and members of the Congregation of the Mission communities. Works closely with the Senior Vice President, senior leadership team and with colleagues across the institution including Office of the President, Office of the Provost, Finance, Financial Aid, the General Counsel's Office, Marketing and Communications, DePaul Athletics and Student Affairs.  

What You'll Do:

1. Serve as a high level project manager for the division, coordinating and communicating the division’s planning and priorities. Develop project plans and ensures projects and priorities are moving ahead, on-schedule, and up-to-date. Holds leadership team accountable for results. Work with others on decision-making and progress towards goals. Provide necessary follow-up and communication of planning and leadership activities with various divisional and university constituencies. 

2. Coordinate meetings and activities for the Board of Trustees Philanthropy Committee. Attend to all details for committee communications, meetings, and events, including but not limited to: preparing communications to the committee, and at times the full Board, and executing three committee meetings. Coordinate Trustee participation in university events. Work with the SVP to analyze related reports, research, and other content to develop presentations and materials for the Philanthropic Committee and others such a Board of Trustees and President's office. 

3. Work on a variety of tasks to ensure the Advancement division operates efficiently and successfully. Creates and manages business processes, including campaign development processes. Assist SVP in policy and strategy development.
Conduct proposal writing, including pre-proposals and design elements for significant gift asks. Develop and executive communication to send to university. 

4. Oversee the administration of the SVP office. Work closely with SVP to ensure philanthropic commitments are made by members of the Board of Trustees. Call donors, coordinate activity relating to fundraising, works with financial planners and other stakeholders to ensure commitments are made and gifts are closed. Manage the calendar, schedule meetings and arrange travel for the SVP. Prepare and submit expense reports and pro-card reconciliations for the SVP. 

What You'll Need:

• Baccalaureate degree, required. 
• Minimum of 5 years progressive development experience including involvement in campaign planning and execution for academic institutions. 
• Excellent communications skills, coupled with strong writing and presentation skills.
• Experience building and communicating campaign strategies.  
• Significant experience working with volunteers and volunteer groups. 
• Sound organizational ability, a high degree of energy creativity and initiative.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills with ability to initiate, analyze, monitor, evaluate and advance strategic plans and programs. 
• Demonstrated ability to develop good working relationships with internal and external constituency groups. 
• Discretion and an ability to interact with high-level donors. 
• Ability to project the unique aims and values of DePaul University and its donors and alumni. 
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities and meet challenging and changing deadlines. 
• Demonstrated ability to develop plans, support implementation of programs, manage and implement change. 
• Ability to maintain highly confidential information on a variety of sensitive subjects.

The anticipated hiring range for this position is: $64,662 to $85,000. 

The salary range provided in this posting reflects what we reasonably expect to pay for this position. Actual compensation offered or earned is dependent on experience, education and other factors including departmental budget.


Perks:

  • Working for a stable and well-known University.
  • Top choice medical, dental, and vision benefits.
  • Retirement plan matching contribution of 8%.
  • Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.
  • Generous paid time off, sick time, holidays, floating holidays, and more!
  • Full-Time Benefits

For consideration, please include a resume and cover letter.

Vincentian Mission:
Guided by an ethic of Vincentian personalism and professionalism, DePaul compassionately upholds the dignity of all members of its diverse, multi-faith, and inclusive community. We seek to hire collaborative, open-minded, and dedicated professionals who are committed to advancing our university mission to making education accessible to all, with special attention to including underserved and underrepresented communities. Successful candidates thrive in an environment where ideas and perspectives representing a wide variety of cultures, backgrounds and experiences are welcome and supported.

Required Background Check:

Employment at DePaul University is contingent on passing a background check. Only final candidates who are extended an offer of employment will undergo a background check.


DePaul University is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, genetic information or any other legally protected status, in accordance with applicable federal, state and local EEO laws.

 


 

Salary : $64,662 - $85,000

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