Executive Director of Operations and Strategic Priorities, Fuqua School of Business

Duke Careers • Durham, NC

1d • $78,161 - $156,319

About The Position

At Duke, we celebrate individuality and the unique perspectives that each member of our community brings. As the Executive Director of Operations and Strategic Priorities (Level 16), you will serve as an essential leader in the Fuqua School of Business—guiding complex initiatives, shaping operational strategy, and supporting academic excellence across the institution. In this role, you will build connections across diverse teams, promote integrated decision‑making, and elevate the experience of our faculty, staff, and students.

The Executive Director of Operations and Strategic Priorities plays a pivotal role in advancing Fuqua’s enterprise‑level objectives. You will partner closely with the Dean and Senior Associate Deans to translate institutional goals into coordinated execution, ensuring that academic operations, strategic initiatives, and cross‑functional systems work in harmony.

Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business is more than an academic institution—it is a global community of bold thinkers, industry innovators, and purpose‑driven leaders. Joining Duke as a Level 16 Executive Director means stepping into a role where your leadership will shape systems, influence strategic direction, and create lasting institutional impact.
Here, you won’t just manage operations—you will help architect the future of a top‑ranked business school during a dynamic period of innovation and growth. You will work alongside internationally recognized faculty, visionary academic leaders, and a collaborative network of partners across Duke who share a commitment to excellence, innovation, and global relevance.
At Duke, your expertise is valued, your perspective is sought out, and your leadership can transform programs, elevate the student experience, and strengthen the school’s global reputation. This is an opportunity to lead with purpose, drive strategic change, and contribute to a mission that shapes the next generation of business leaders.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Business, Public Administration, Policy, or a related field; PhD preferred.
• Expertise in academic operations, higher education structures, or institutional governance.
• Eight or more years of progressive leadership experience in academic operations, strategic programs, faculty affairs, or institutional management.
• Proven success advising senior executives and shaping enterprise‑level strategies.
• Experience leading complex, cross‑functional initiatives in a matrixed environment.
• Advanced analytical capabilities with experience in financial modeling, behavioral data, or institutional metrics.
• Ability to design systems and processes that improve operational efficiency and organizational performance.
• Deep familiarity with faculty lifecycle processes, academic program structures, and student‑facing operations.
• Ability to assess risk, interpret policy, and ensure operational alignment across diverse units.
• Exceptional presentation and writing skills with the ability to produce executive‑ready briefs and strategic documents.
• Strong interpersonal skills with a proven track record of building trust across faculty, staff, and senior leadership.
• Demonstrated discretion and sound judgment when managing sensitive HR or institutional data.
• Leadership style defined by empathy, accountability, clarity, and collaboration.
• Experience supporting program innovation, AI‑enabled enhancements, or transformative academic initiatives.
• Ability to implement sustainable change and help teams adopt new approaches.

Nice To Haves

• PhD preferred.

Responsibilities

• Drive execution of the Dean’s strategic priorities through advanced data analysis, financial modeling, and institutional coordination.
• Prepare executive‑level communications, briefings, and strategic documents to support senior leadership.
• Advise on policy, compliance, organizational risk, and long‑term planning.
• Lead development of Fuqua’s school‑wide teaching schedule, ensuring alignment between academic needs, faculty capacity, and program goals.
• Oversee the onboarding, evaluation, and management of non‑regular rank (NRR) faculty.
• Support academic leadership in synthesizing data for accreditation, assessment, and rankings.
• Strengthen consistency and operational rigor across academic programs by collaborating with the Senior Associate Dean of Programs.
• Investigate policy challenges and develop institutionally aligned procedures that enhance student experience and schoolwide operations.
• Create scalable processes that improve efficiency, transparency, and decision‑making.
• Partner with the Senior Associate Dean of Innovation to implement curricular redesigns, AI‑enabled enhancements, and new academic programs.
• Align teaching‑focused centers (HSM, COLE, CASE, EDGE) and curricular initiatives (FCCP, MCC) with Fuqua’s academic mission and market needs.
• Integrate innovation efforts with operational readiness and long‑term sustainability.
• Partner with Finance and Administration to maintain systems for HR documentation, performance metrics, and operational data.
• Provide leadership for cross‑functional committees including CRM strategy, admissions analytics, and demographic reporting.
• Implement evidence‑based interventions to improve organizational effectiveness and culture.
• Represent Fuqua in university‑level discussions regarding student services, registrar functions, and policy alignment.
• Advocate for Fuqua’s strategic priorities across Duke’s academic and operational systems.
• Build strong partnerships that ensure cohesive service delivery and institutional alignment.

Benefits

• Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive