Senior Director of Strategy

Description

Position Summary

The Senior Director of Strategy leads cross-functional collaboration and project management at Arkansas Foodbank. Reporting to the CEO, the Senior Director of Strategy ensures that strategic initiatives move forward efficiently and deliver measurable results. Working closely with leaders in Programs, Development, Finance, Operations, and Information Technology, the Senior Director of Strategy translates ideas into action by coordinating deliverables, tracking timelines, and supporting effective communication across teams. As a subject-matter expert, the Senior Director of Strategy leads continuous improvement in project management capabilities and capacity organization-wide, leading innovation in culture, practices, and systems. The Senior Director of Strategy also directly manages the Executive Assistant who supports the executive leadership team, ensuring alignment of priorities, effective cross-functional assignments, and optimal use of executive time.

Requirements

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The statements below describe the general nature and level of work performed and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties.

Strategic initiatives

The Senior Director of Strategy oversees the effective and efficient implementation of strategic initiatives at the food bank, with focus on the recently developed strategies around: food sourcing; pantries and community resource centers; children and schools; and education and engagement.

· Provide strategic oversight to strategic initiative implementation.

· Anticipate, identify, and address challenges and barriers. 

· Ensure alignment between departmental goals and strategic initiatives.

· Ensure that all team members understand their roles, priorities, and next steps.

· Provide proactive and supportive accountability to team members to ensure timely follow-through on action items.

· Facilitate cross-functional meetings to bolster alignment and collaboration.

· Maintain up-to-date project plans, define deliverables, assign responsibilities, and monitor progress.

· Communicate progress to leadership and internal stakeholders.

CEO support

The Senior Director of Strategy provides proactive, forward-looking support for the CEO’s roles, projects, and tasks related to strategic initiatives and other priorities.

· Serve as a liaison between the CEO and department leaders to ensure effective communication, collaboration, and timely progress. 

· Lead select initiatives on behalf of the CEO, such as innovation pilots, partnership projects, or internal process improvements.

· Support the CEO in preparing materials and talking points for key meetings with internal and external audiences.

· Collaborate with the Executive Assistant to ensure effective use of CEO time.

Project management capacity-building

The Senior Director of Strategy leads efforts to enhance the culture, practices, and systems related to project management organization-wide.

· Develop and continually enhance project management strategies, systems, and resources.

· Collaborate with teams across the organization to strengthen communication, streamline processes, and improve organizational efficiency.

· Collaborate with IT and other internal stakeholders to select, develop, and continually enhance technology platforms that support effective project management.

· Provide training and resources that build organization-wide project management capabilities and capacity.

Qualifications

· Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Nonprofit Management, or related field preferred.

· At least five years of project management, operations, or strategic planning experience, preferably in a nonprofit or mission-driven environment.

· Proven ability to manage complex, cross-functional projects and balance multiple priorities.

· Strong communication, facilitation, and problem-solving skills.

· Analytical thinker who can translate data into actionable insights and clear decisions.

· Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and project management tools such as Asana, Smartsheet, or similar.

· Collaborative, adaptable, and capable of building trust across teams.

· Valid Arkansas driver’s license and proof of insurance required.

· Must pass a background check and pre-employment drug screening.