What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Project Management & Organizational Effectiveness position at Make-A-Wish Foundation of America and Careers?
Department: Executive Office
Reports to: President & CEO
Status: Full-time, Exempt
Location: Southfield, MI
About Make-A-Wish Michigan
At Make-A-Wish Michigan (MAWMI), we transform lives every day. Together, we create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. When a wish comes true, it sparks strength, hope, and transformation not only in a child, but throughout families and communities. We are a collaborative, mission-driven team committed to making a lasting impact across the state.
Position Summary
The Director of Project Management & Organizational Effectiveness serves as a trusted strategic partner to the President & CEO and a key connector across departments and our Board of Directors. This role supports the seamless flow of information, communication, and organizational priorities through the executive office and across the organization.
A core component of this position is exceptional writing and communication producing high-quality correspondence, presentations, briefings, strategic reports, board materials, and leadership messaging that reflect the voice, values, and mission of Make-A-Wish Michigan.
This role is ideal for a highly organized, proactive, emotionally intelligent professional who loves bringing structure to complex initiatives, translating ideas into action, and ensuring strategic priorities stay on track.
Key Responsibilities
Executive & Operational Support
- Track progress on organizational strategic priorities, ensuring timely follow-up and accountability across teams.
- Manage and prioritize the CEO’s communications, commitments, and executive-level project workflow with professionalism and discretion.
- Coordinate planning and execution of cross-functional priorities and special initiatives originating from the executive office.
- Support the Board of Directors through communication, meeting preparation, and major board initiatives/projects.
- Prepare, edit, and finalize executive correspondence, presentations, reports, and briefings with strong attention to tone, clarity, and impact.
- Support the development and organization of board meeting agendas, materials, and minutes.
- Plan, execute, and host special events and executive-level engagements as assigned.
Writing & Communications
- Draft internal and external communications, including CEO updates, talking points, donor correspondence, strategic narratives, and organizational messaging.
- Translate complex information into clear, mission-driven language for a variety of audiences (staff, board, donors, partners, etc.).
- Maintain consistency of voice, brand, and professionalism across written materials.
- Partner with the communications team to support leadership storytelling, impact reporting, and mission-based messaging.
Project & Process Management
- Lead and/or coordinate key executive-level projects and cross-functional initiatives.
- Streamline workflows and improve systems that increase efficiency, communication, and alignment.
- Anticipate leadership and organizational needs; proactively identify opportunities to improve effectiveness across teams.
- Capture key decisions and action items in fast-paced meetings and ensure follow-through and completion.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred (communications, nonprofit management, public administration, or related field).
- 8–10 years of progressive experience in executive operations, project management, communications, or related roles.
- Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills with the ability to shift voice and tone based on audience.
- Strong project management, organizational, and prioritization skills with excellent attention to detail.
- Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.
- Ability to listen, synthesize, and create clear action plans in fast-paced settings.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; experience with project management tools and CRM systems preferred.
- Experience in experiential marketing is a plus.
Personal Attributes
- Polished, persuasive communicator with strong emotional intelligence.
- Highly organized, proactive, and comfortable managing multiple priorities simultaneously.
- Collaborative, adaptable, and thrives in a mission-driven, fast-paced environment.
- Passionate about Make-A-Wish and the families we serve.
Why Join Make-A-Wish Michigan?
This is an opportunity to work in a high-trust leadership role that directly supports the CEO, Board, and strategic priorities of the organization with meaningful mission impact, strong cross-department collaboration, and the ability to shape how work gets done across Make-A-Wish Michigan.