Senior Manager, Executive Projects & Initiatives

Description

About Us

The Cleveland Foundation, established in 1914 as the world’s first community foundation, continues to shape the future of place-based philanthropy more than a century later. With $3.9 billion in assets and a legacy of bold leadership, we are driven by a commitment to improve the lives of everyone who calls Greater Cleveland home, today and for generations to come.

Joining our team means becoming part of a culture that blends history-making impact with forward-looking innovation. Our vision is a vibrant Northeast Ohio where no Clevelander is left behind. Every team member plays a key role in advancing this vision by tackling Cleveland’s most critical issues, championing opportunities for all, and helping unlock the full potential of our region.

Our headquarters in the heart of MidTown places us at the center of a historic neighborhood and growing district, surrounded by partners, community leaders and residents who are reimagining what’s possible for our city. Here, you’ll work in a dynamic, collaborative environment designed to spark creativity, deepen relationships, and accelerate change.

At the Cleveland Foundation, you can be part of building a stronger future for every Clevelander.

About You

 You are a highly organized, proactive, and strategic professional who thrives in fast-paced, high-visibility environments. You bring exceptional project management skills, executive presence, and the ability to communicate with confidence across senior leaders, board members, and community stakeholders. Comfortable navigating ambiguity, you balance big-picture thinking with meticulous execution, seamlessly moving between strategic planning, executive communications, stakeholder coordination, and project delivery. You are a trusted relationship builder with strong judgment, high emotional intelligence, and a bias toward action, excelling at managing multiple priorities while delivering polished presentations, compelling visual storytelling, and results that advance organizational goals

Job Summary

The Senior Manager, Executive Projects & Initiatives, serves as a strategic partner within the Executive Office, helping advance the priorities of the CEO and SVP of Enterprise Strategy. This role leads and coordinates high-impact projects, manages key relationships, and ensures successful execution of organizational commitments. Working across the Foundation and community, the position bridges strategy and implementation while supporting senior leaders in achieving their goals. It is an opportunity for a highly organized, adaptable professional to contribute directly to executive decision-making and organizational impact.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Initiative Leadership

• Drive a portfolio of high-priority strategic initiatives that advance the CEO's and SVP's priorities and organizational goals.
• Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of complex projects, ensuring accountability, alignment, and measurable results.
• Create compelling executive presentations, visual communications, and strategic narratives that strengthen leadership engagement and influence key audiences.
• Deliver actionable insights, recommendations, and decision-support materials that enable informed executive decision-making.
• Facilitate collaboration across teams and stakeholders, building alignment around shared priorities and outcomes.

Executive Representation & Strategic Coordination

• Serve as a trusted representative of the Executive Office, fostering strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Extend the reach of executive leadership by representing priorities, perspectives, and interests in meetings, working sessions, and community engagements.
• Drive momentum on key initiatives by translating discussions into clear decisions, accountable actions, and meaningful progress.
• Ensure organizational responsiveness by identifying emerging opportunities, risks, and issues and coordinating appropriate action.Strengthen executive effectiveness by maintaining continuity, alignment, and follow-through across critical workstreams.

Executive Office Strategy & Special Initiatives

• Lead special projects, research efforts, and strategic analyses that inform organizational direction and executive priorities.
• Develop executive briefings, talking points, and communications that enhance leadership effectiveness and stakeholder engagement.
• Partner across the organization to advance high-impact initiatives, solve complex challenges, and accelerate strategic outcomes.
• Exercise exceptional discretion and sound judgment while managing sensitive information and confidential matters.
• Contribute as a strategic thought partner, bringing creativity, insight, and a solutions-oriented mindset to emerging opportunities and challenges.

Requirements

General Competencies

• Judgment
• Communication
• Teamwork & Collaboration
• Adaptability
• Problem-Solving

Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Project Management, Communications, Public Administration, or a related field. 

Experience:

• 3–5 years of experience in a fast-paced, high-output environment.
• 3–5 years of experience independently managing multiple concurrent projects and priorities.
• Minimum of 3 years supporting one or more C-suite executives or senior leaders.
• Minimum of 3 years of people management, project management, or equivalent leadership accountability.
• Demonstrated success leading cross-functional initiatives from planning through execution and completion.

Technical Skills: 

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, with exceptional PowerPoint presentation development capabilities.
• Advanced Canva and graphic design skills, including executive-level visual storytelling and presentation design.
• Proficiency with Salesforce and other business productivity technologies.

Communication & Leadership Skills: 

• Exceptional verbal, written, presentation, and public speaking skills.
• Strong executive presence and ability to communicate effectively with senior leaders, board members, and community stakeholders.
• Ability to synthesize complex information into clear, concise recommendations and executive-ready communications.
• Demonstrated ability to influence and build alignment across a matrixed organization without direct authority.

Core Competencies: 

• Strong organizational and project management capabilities.
• High emotional intelligence, sound judgment, and professionalism.
• Ability to thrive in ambiguity and adapt to changing priorities.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-support skills.
• High degree of ownership, initiative, discretion, and bias toward action.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in an Executive Office, Chief of Staff, Strategy, or Executive Operations environment. 
• Experience supporting a CEO, President, Executive Director, or other senior executive leader in a complex organization. 
• Experience developing executive communications, speeches, talking points, and leadership presentations. 
• Background in nonprofit, philanthropy, community development, public sector, or mission-driven organizations. 
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or comparable project management training. 
• Experience facilitating stakeholder engagement across internal teams, boards, community partners, and external leaders. 
• Demonstrated expertise in strategic planning, organizational initiatives, and executive-level special projects.

Work Environment

• The role is primarily office-based, involving frequent interaction with executives, staff, and external partners.
• The position may require prolonged periods of sitting, as well as occasional lifting of light office supplies and materials.
• Occasional extended hours to meet deadlines or support special events.
• Occasional travel may be required for meetings, events, or conferences.