March of Dimes leads the fight for the health of all moms and babies. We’re advocating for policies to protect them. We’re working to radically improve the health care they receive. We’re pioneering research to find solutions. We’re empowering families with programs, knowledge and tools to have healthier pregnancies. By uniting communities, we’re building a brighter future for us all.

We are dedicated to hiring a diverse workforce that fosters opportunities for personal and professional development. We provide a collaborative and supportive environment built upon our fundamental core principles where each employee is valued. Join us in the fight for healthy moms and strong babies.

About the position:

• Fully remote

The new Director of Strategic Initiatives will be a critical leader on the Innovation & Product Development Team, serving partner across internal and external stakeholders to maintain and strengthen corporate, foundation, and other partnerships invested in innovations that advance the mission of March of Dimes. This role will include regular collaboration with our Revenue Development and Market teams on large partnerships which fund our innovation pilots and drive new opportunities for product expansion efforts.

As an Innovation Team member, you’ll drive continuity between strategic innovation and product development work, working closely with Mission subject matter experts and product leaders to maintain a pipeline of Mission innovation priorities aligned to our strategic plan. This leader will collaborate on designing new projects and funding proposals and supervise a team of project managers/directors executing on innovation projects which are funded. As a Mission partner, you’ll work with account managers to maintain/strengthen funder relationships.

• Ensure objectives outlined in grant proposals and contracts are fulfilled and coordinate planning, implementation and evaluation of project activities.
• Communicate with cross-functional stakeholders and partner organizations to report on project successes and enhance replication/expansion efforts.
• Supervise staff to ensure projects supported by external entities are executed effectively, on schedule, achieving milestones, and on budget.

What you will do:

• Manage projects and initiatives within the Mission Department or organization wide projects/initiatives that have Mission influence or components.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with corporations, foundations, donors, volunteers, government employees, and others to ensure a project’s success over the course of the relationship.
• Serve as the organization’s leader (both internally and externally) of assigned projects and individual accountable for clearance of project deliverables in order to maintain a strong business relationship with funders.
• Develop work plans for projects that take it from start to completion. Ensure work plans stay on schedule, remain on budget and that key deliverables are met.
• Provide constructive feedback to project teams and senior leadership to meet deadlines and achieve desired results.
• Conceive, draft, and oversee development of written products, presentations and other materials.
• Drive continuity between strategic innovation and product development work, working closely with Mission subject matter experts and product leaders to maintain a pipeline of Mission innovation priorities aligned to our strategic plan.
• Work with other departments and potential donors in developing projects to support these innovation priorities, ensuring proposals are comprehensive and compelling, inclusive of budgets and work plans which are achievable. Assist others at March of Dimes in developing business plans for March of Dimes projects/programs and metrics to evaluate the success of projects as needed.
• Identify, develop, and establish accountability measures for each project for return on investment, outcomes, processes, timeliness, and customer service (in partnership with departments at March of Dimes and with external entities providing/considering funding projects as appropriate).

• Provide direction and guidance to March of Dimes project managers on coordinating projects and ensuring that the workload is distributed appropriately in order to effectively engage business partners in reporting progress on the entire project.

• Support senior leadership and/or represent the organization at public events, conferences, and meetings. Use quantitative and qualitative data, deliver cutting edge internal and external presentations on how March of Dimes can tackle local and global public health issues.

What we would like from you:

• 8 to 10 years experience
• Knowledge/Skills
  • Expertise in business, budget, and project management principles.
  • Possess deep understanding of, and curiosity about, the intricacies of the national healthcare system, social determinants of health, public health threats to mothers and children, health & economic justice, opioid threats, healthcare quality & delivery, maternity care deserts, etc.
  • Strong writing, editing, analytical, speaking and presentation skills, with comfort in representing the March of Dimes to executive audiences and funders.
  • Established contacts funders interested in the March of Dimes mission/goals a plus.
  • Knowledge of Human Centered Design and/or other innovation skills, with evidence of past success in designing and executing on innovations such as new programs/products/partnerships.
  • Apply vigorous leadership and organizational skills with careful attention to detail and ability to lead the coordination of various March of Dimes work streams.
  • Work closely with MOD senior leadership, identifying opportunities to carry out innovation, programmatic work and maximize resources.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office.
• Traits/Characteristics
  • Proven problem-solving skills and capacity to adapt quickly to changing and often challenging environments.
  • Have a proven track record of effectively leading and managing complex projects.
  • Ability to think critically and provide appropriate solution.

March of Dimes provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.