Manager of Strategic Initiatives & Projects presso Newfields

Manager of Strategic Initiatives & Projects 

Reports To:     Chief of Staff

FLSA Status:    Exempt

Salary Range:  $70,000 - $75,000  annually  

Position Summary

The Manager of Strategic Initiatives and Projects plays a vital role in advancing Newfields’ institutional goals by supporting the successful development, coordination, and execution of strategic priorities and cross-departmental small to mid-level projects. Reporting to the Chief of Staff, this role ensures that key initiatives are delivered on time, within scope, and with measurable outcomes that advance Newfields’ mission and the President & CEO’s objectives.

Working collaboratively with the Executive Leadership Team and department heads, the Manager provides project management, analysis, process improvement, and facilitation that translate strategic objectives into actionable plans. This position also supports the implementation of the institutional strategic plan, monitors progress, and prepares reports and presentations for internal and Board audiences.

By developing project plans, coordinating resources, and maintaining accountability frameworks, the Manager of Strategic Initiatives and Projects enables leadership and staff to execute with clarity, efficiency, and impact—ensuring alignment between vision, strategy, and results across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

Project Planning & Execution

• Translate organizational priorities into actionable project plans with clear timelines, deliverables, and resource needs.
• Manage multiple cross-functional small to mid-level projects simultaneously, ensuring adherence to deadlines, budgets, and quality standards.
• Monitor progress, assess risks, and implement solutions to keep projects on track.
• Maintain project dashboards, reports, and KPIs to keep the Executive Leadership and Extended Leadership teams informed.

Board & Committee Support

• Coordinate preparation and delivery of Board and Committee materials, ensuring timely, accurate, and high-quality information.
• Maintain a system for tracking Board engagement, governance deliverables, and key institutional decisions.
• Serve as a point of coordination for special Board-related projects and events.
• Serve as Administrator for the Strategic Plan and Board technology

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Partner with departments to coordinate tasks, align efforts, and eliminate barriers to progress.
• Facilitate project meetings, prepare agendas and materials, and ensure follow-up actions are completed.
• Ensure consistency in project execution practices across teams.

Process Improvement & Organizational Performance

• Apply project management best practices to improve efficiency, workflows, and execution discipline.
• Support the Chief of Staff in embedding a culture of accountability and continuous improvement across leadership teams.
• Contribute to the implementation of organizational systems, processes, and structures that improve execution.
• Oversee business intelligence initiatives that integrate data from internal and external sources to enhance visitor experience and improve institutional performance.

Other duties may be assigned. To perform the job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required in business administration, project management, nonprofit management, or a related field.
• PMP or other project management certification preferred.
• Master’s degree preferred (MBA, MPA, MA in Organizational Leadership, or related field).

Qualifications

• 5–7+ years of progressive experience in project management, operations, or consulting—ideally in a mission-driven or nonprofit environment.
• Demonstrated success in managing complex, cross-functional projects from initiation through completion with measurable results.
• Strong knowledge of project management methodologies, tools, and software.
• Experience working in nonprofit, cultural institutions, higher education, or government is a plus.

Physical Demands of the Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/ or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the position. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.