Director, Shared Services

Job Title:        Director, Shared Services

Department:   Institute of Capacity Building

Reports To:    Assistant Vice President, Transformation Support, ICB

FLSA Status:  Exempt 

JOB DESCRIPTION 

The Director of Shared Services will lead the design, launch, and scaling of cross-institutional shared-service models that strengthen institutional capacity across multiple domains, including but not limited to data, analytics, finance, operations, and student success.

This role is responsible for building a durable, scalable infrastructure for shared capacity—enabling institutions to access high-quality expertise, tools, and support that would be difficult to sustain independently.

Reporting to senior leadership, the Director will serve as the primary operator and integrator, translating strategy into execution by coordinating partners, engaging institutions, and building a high-functioning shared-services model that can expand over time.

This is a systems-building role focused on long-term institutional transformation, not a single initiative.

The Director will:

• Build and operationalize shared-service models that deliver capacity across institutions 
• Establish a repeatable framework for designing, launching, and scaling shared services in multiple domains 
• Coordinate across internal teams, external partners, and institutional stakeholders to drive execution 
• Create the foundation for a sustainable, multi-domain shared-services ecosystem

ABOUT UNCF 

The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) has been an engine of educational achievement for more than 80 years. UNCF’s mission is to build a robust and nationally recognized pipeline of HBCU students who, because of UNCF support, become highly qualified college graduates. In addition, UNCF ensures that its member institutions remain respected models of best practices in moving students to and through college. Since its inception in 1944, UNCF has raised over $6 billion in private support, distributed scholarships to help students attend school, and enabled more than 500,000 scholars and low-income students to graduate from UNCF’s member historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and launch professional careers. UNCF is committed to closing the educational attainment gap by increasing postsecondary access and success for student groups, particularly low-income and first-generation students.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES: 

Shared Services Model Design & Scaling

• Design and operationalize shared-service offerings that can evolve across domains (e.g., data, finance, operations, student success, workforce pathways) 
• Develop a modular service architecture that allows new capabilities to be added over time 
• Define service tiers, delivery models, and engagement structures that balance flexibility with consistency 
• Lead the transition from pilot efforts to scalable, repeatable models 

Cross-Domain Implementation

• Lead implementation of shared services across multiple functional areas, starting with initial domains and expanding over time 
• Ensure services are not siloed, but instead support integrated institutional decision-making and operations 
• Identify opportunities to extend shared services into new areas based on institutional need and strategic priorities 

Partner & Ecosystem Management

• Identify, procure, and manage a network of external partners and service providers 
• Coordinate across partners delivering technical, strategic, and operational support 
• Ensure alignment across partners so institutions experience a cohesive, integrated service model 
• Build a broader ecosystem of collaborators, including intermediaries, vendors, and subject matter experts 

Institutional Engagement & Delivery

• Lead engagement with participating institutions, including senior leadership and cross-functional teams 
• Oversee institutional assessments to determine readiness, capacity, and opportunity areas 
• Support institutions in adopting shared services and integrating them into core operational and strategic processes 
• Ensure institutions move from engagement → adoption → sustained use → measurable impact 

Shared Services Team Leadership

• Build and manage a cross-functional, multi-domain team, including internal staff and fractional external experts 
• Establish team structure, workflows, and service delivery standards 
• Oversee a model that may include pooled or fractional expertise across institutions 
• Ensure consistent, high-quality service delivery across multiple institutions simultaneously 

Operational Infrastructure & Sustainability

• Develop the operating model for shared services, including: 
  • Governance structures 
  • Decision-making frameworks 
  • Service-level expectations 
• Contribute to the development of long-term sustainability models, including: 
  • Subscription or membership structures 
  • Pooled funding approaches 
  • Blended philanthropic and institutional support 
• Identify opportunities for cost efficiency, scale, and long-term viability 

Strategy Execution & Internal Coordination

• Align work across internal teams to ensure coordination between strategy, implementation, and external engagement 
• Track progress against milestones, deliverables, and outcomes 
• Identify risks and dependencies and proactively manage through them 
• Ensure the work progresses with clarity, discipline, and pace 

Knowledge Development & Field Building

• Develop and document: 
  • Shared-services playbooks 
  • Implementation frameworks 
  • Institutional readiness models 
• Capture lessons learned and translate them into scalable approaches for broader adoption 
• Support efforts to position shared services as a core strategy for institutional capacity building

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

No supervisory responsibilities. 

QUALIFICATIONS: 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred. 8–12 years of experience in: 

• Complex program, product, or service delivery environments 
• Consulting, higher education, technology, or operational transformation 
• Multi-stakeholder initiatives spanning organizations or institutions 

Demonstrated experience building and scaling new capabilities, services, or operating models.

Required Capabilities

Ability to move from concept to execution in complex, evolving environments.

Experience managing cross-functional teams and external partners. 

Strong systems thinking and ability to connect work across domains.

Comfort engaging senior institutional leaders and navigating complex organizations. 

Excellent project management and organizational skills.

Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred

Experience with shared services, consortia, or network-based models.

Familiarity with institutional operations (e.g., finance, student success, academic affairs, workforce pathways).

Experience in capacity-building or intermediary organizations. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Benefits include:

Medical, Dental & Vision

Vacation, Sick & Personal Leave 

Life Insurance (Basic & Optional)

Flex Spending Accounts

403(b) Retirement Account

Holiday Savings Plan

Annual Incentive Pay 

Salary Range: $100,000.00 To $120,000.00 per year (Salary is commensurate with experience.) This is a hybrid position: 4 days in-person, 1-day remote work schedule, located in UNCF’s Atlanta, GA building.

Background checks required.

UNCF is EOE M/F/D/V