Strategy & Divisional Affairs Advisor

Job Description

Background

The Strategy & Divisional Affairs Advisor is an integral part of the Charitable Giving division, which aims to increase and diversify the agency’s resources while committed to creating deep and meaningful relationships with donors and US constituents.

This position will lead processes across the division to enable to division to drive towards its strategic outcomes and increase operational excellence by ensuring the division optimizes its collective efforts for maximum impact.

Job Summary

The Strategy and Divisional Affairs Advisor is a single contributor role that will support divisional leadership and their teams in developing compelling and consistent strategies or roadmaps for its collective efforts. Additionally, this position is responsible for (1) orchestrating strategic planning processes in alignment with the broader agency strategic vision; (2) Coordinating areas for strengthened collaboration and integration of work between and among CG departments/units and related CRS divisions; (3) Developing and supporting internal processes and procedures to ensure an effective and efficient operating environment; (3) Supporting senior leadership in their divisional capacity strengthening and organizational development initiatives; (4) Strengthening the division’s knowledge management practices, collaboration and internal communications; (5) Championing a continual learning culture while providing staff development opportunities; and (6) Leading development of staff engagement plan for division based on staff engagement survey results.

Roles and Key Responsibilities

The Strategy and Operations position will be responsible for the following functions:

Strategy (20%)

1. Lead CG in its effort to craft meaningful, challenging and elegant strategies that deliver substantive outcomes.
2. Manage the requirements for agency-wide strategy implementation and related efforts within the division.
3. Support the alignment of agency strategic priorities down to divisional frameworks to unit level planning and finally to individual performance plan objectives.
4. Bring leadership to annual agreement on key performance indicators and overarching strategic targets for their departments.
5. Support CG reporting requirements requested by Executive Leadership Team, the agency strategy process and the CRS Board of Directors.

Project Management (40%)

1. Establish clear processes that motivate and engage staff in strategy development, and effective implementation of strategic goals within its operating systems.
2. With divisional leadership, facilitate superior business procedures, processes and systems across Leadership Giving, Annual Giving and Donor Services that advance CG’s strategic efforts and strengthen internal capacity.
3. Manage specific cross-divisional projects, such as Generational Marketing, that drive towards enhanced outcomes of the divisional action plan at the request of divisional leadership
4. Be proactive in identifying cross-divisional projects and proposing projects to divisional leadership for consideration.

Collaboration (10%)

1. Oversee the planning and facilitation of divisional and departmental meetings as well as their intersection with other divisions, including post event evaluations.
2. Be an advocate for staff when needed for the ongoing interdivisional collaboration efforts between M2, MarCom and other divisions, including: regional, HQ-based, senior directors and executive vice presidents.
3. Support cross-divisional collaboration by facilitating internal process development and other development activities that foster a more integrated work atmosphere.

Knowledge Management & Learning (15%)

1. Compose, edit, analyze and lead reflective thinking and summaries on CG’s progress towards goals, and pivot strategy and operations accordingly.
2. Manage and curate divisional documentation on MyCRS and other O365 apps and promote knowledge management practices to foster an atmosphere of continual learning.
3. Enhance internal communication practices, including myCRS divisional page, for stronger collaboration via various communication vehicles (e.g. Yammer, Microsoft Teams, etc.), facilitation, and more.

Staff Development and Engagement (15%)

1. Support staff learning on key department processes such as new staff onboarding, polarity management, business process mapping and human centered design.
2. Provide support for senior managers to develop systems to test, implement and institutionalize capacity strengthening strategies.
3. Strengthen CG managers’ capacities for effective two-way coaching and mentoring as an integral prerequisite for divisional learning.
4. Support divisional staff engagement strategies by implementing improvements from the staff engagement surveys that understand and improve the CRS work environment so that staff bring their best to work every day.
5. In collaboration with Human Resources, develop and maintain an onboarding guide for new CG staff and coordinate new staff orientation process with managers.

Other division or agency level support responsibilities as identified.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in non-profit management, business, organizational development, international development or another related field required. Master’s degree preferred or equivalent experience.
• Minimum five years’ experience in capacity strengthening, partnership, organizational learning and/or related work.
• Documented experience in strategic planning and strategy development.
• Broad knowledge of and/or experience with promoting organizational learning, knowledge management and internal communications.
• Willingness to travel within the United States on occasion.
• Strong understanding of supervising or coaching staff and managing budgets.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Collaborative, team management style.
• Significant capacity for strategic thinking and systems development; strong ability to build consensus for system review, adjustment and development.
• Flexibility to change based on evidence-based learning or client feedback.
• Individual must possess the ability to influence without direct authority.
• Ability and desire to work well with diverse employees in a cooperative and friendly manner.
• Must possess ability to handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proactively seek out organizational development opportunities and recommend ongoing improvements.

• Ability to think holistically and envision the big picture while maintaining strong attention to detail.
• Understanding of Catholic Church and its teachings preferred.
• Understanding of fundraising concepts preferred.
• Highly proficient with Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
• Ability to learn and work with computer systems and digital communications tools, including fundraising data base systems.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills.

Agency-wide Competencies

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Integrity
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Builds Relationships
• Develops Talent
• Strategic Mindset
• Accountability & Stewardship

Supervisory Responsibilities

None.

Work Conditions/Environment Conditions

This position will be based out of Baltimore/HQ but can accommodate telecommuting status. The individual will need to frequent HQ for facilitation and other in-person responsibilities.

What we offer

CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, generous retirement savings plan and the opportunity to work in a collaborative, mission-driven culture that is committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.

***Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

(if applicable) NOTE: All interested applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. at the time of application.

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

EOE/M/F/D/V - CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

About the Organization

CRS staff, alongside our partners and the people we serve, work daily to bring our mission and guiding principles to life. We share our stories of hope, compassion and solidarity to inspire others to join us in creating a more just and prosperous world for all.