Director Raftery Institute Womens Leadership

Director of the Raftery Institute for Women's Leadership

The Winifred M. Johanson '67 Director of the Raftery Institute for Women's Leadership provides strategic, administrative, and visionary leadership for the Sister Francis Raftery Institute for Women's Leadership. The Director is responsible for designing, implementing, and evaluating academic, co-curricular, and community-facing programs centered on women's leadership; supporting student development initiatives; advancing fundraising through grants and annual appeals in partnership with University Advancement;

and overseeing signature conferences and events that promote the Institute's mission.

This role promotes the Institute as a premier catalyst for women's leadership development, rooted in Catholic Social Teaching and committed to integrity, social responsibility, and advancing the common good. The Director also actively positions the Institute as a distinctive recruitment asset for prospective students and families seeking transformative women's leadership education at Saint Elizabeth University.

The Director ensures all Institute programming reflects and advances the mission to prepare and position women for leadership roles through transformative personal and professional opportunities while amplifying the voices of future generations of women leaders. Guided by the principles of solidarity with the poor, service to the community, and the pursuit of systemic justice, the Director cultivates inclusive and empowering pathways for women from all backgrounds.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic planning, growth, and ongoing evaluation of the Raftery Institute in alignment with University mission, values, and academic goals.
• Manage Institute budgets, reporting, assessment, and operational planning.
• Strengthen the visibility, reputation, and impact of the Institute on campus, regionally, and nationally.
• Build collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders to expand program reach and opportunities.

• Design, implement, and assess curricular and co-curricular programs that support women's leadership development, including seminars, workshops, speaker series, leadership training, and mentoring initiatives.
• Partner with academic departments to integrate women's leadership topics into academic courses, pathways, and experiential learning.
• Support student engagement through leadership fellowships, internships, student-led projects, and community engagement initiatives.
• Provide mentorship and development opportunities for students participating in Institute programs.

• Collaborate closely with University Advancement to develop, execute, and support fundraising strategies that sustain and expand Institute programs.
• Collaborate closely with Academic Affairs to prepare and submit grant proposals to foundations, corporations, and other funding bodies.
• Contribute to annual appeals by providing narratives, impact data, donor-facing program descriptions, and stewardship materials.
• Cultivate relationships with donors, alumnae, foundations, and community partners interested in women's leadership initiatives.

• Plan, organize, and execute major annual conferences, symposia, and summits focused on women's leadership, professional development, and social responsibility.
• Coordinate logistics, speakers, marketing, participant engagement, and post-event reporting.
• Develop signature events that enhance the Institute's profile and foster interdisciplinary dialogue.

• Position the Raftery Institute as a distinctive and compelling feature of the Saint Elizabeth University student experience to support undergraduate and graduate recruitment.
• Partner with the Office of Admission to showcase Institute programs, student outcomes, leadership pathways, and community impact during recruitment events, campus visits, and outreach campaigns.
• Develop materials, presentations, and stories that highlight the Institute's uniqueness and attract prospective students committed to women's leadership and social responsibility.
• Engage alumnae and current students to share their experiences as ambassadors for prospective students.

• Establish and sustain a vibrant Advisory Board for the Institute.
• Build partnerships with nonprofits, corporations, community organizations, and government agencies that expand leadership and service opportunities for women.
• Represent the Institute at regional and national organizations, networks, and conferences dedicated to women's leadership.
• Advance community-based initiatives centered on social responsibility, solidarity with marginalized groups, and systemic justice.

• Compile and analyze data on program participation, outcomes, and effectiveness.
• Produce annual reports that document progress toward…