Assistant Director of Executive Affairs

The Talent Acquisition department hires qualified candidates to fill positions which contribute to the overall strategic success of Howard University. Hiring staff “for fit” makes significant contributions to Howard University’s overall mission.

At Howard University, we prioritize well-being and professional growth.

Here is what we offer: 

• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus mental health support
• Work-Life Balance: PTO, paid holidays, flexible work arrangements
• Financial Wellness: Competitive salary, 403(b) with company match 
• Professional Development: Ongoing training, tuition reimbursement, and career advancement paths
• Additional Perks: Wellness programs, commuter benefits, and a vibrant company culture

Join Howard University and thrive with us! 

https://hr.howard.edu/benefits-wellness

We are looking for our next Assistant Director (A/D) for Executive Affairs for Research serves as a strategic advisor and institutional performance lead for the Office of Research.  The role is responsible for enterprise-level analysis, strategic planning, cross-functional governance and responsiveness, enabling executive leadership to make informed decisions that advance the Office of Research. 

SUPERVISORY ACCOUNTABILITY 

The A/D of Executive Affairs may have supervisory authority over support staff who coordinate and execute strategies and initiatives of the Office of Research.   

NATURE AND SCOPE 

The A/D of Executive Affairs operates at the enterprise and institutional level, focuses on strategy, performance, governance, organizational effectiveness, exercises independent judgement in diagnosing issues, evaluates trade-offs, recommends solutions, acts as a connector between strategy and execution, directly impacts responsiveness and supports issue escalation resolution, ensuring that the leadership priorities translate into measurable outcomes across the Office of Research.   

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES 

Strategic Analysis and Institutional Insight 

• Lead enterprise-level, strategic, and predictive analysis of the institutional research portfolio, funding trends, capacity constraints, and performance indicators.  

• Authors and synthesizes strategic content and recommendations from executive-level briefs, dashboards, and decision-support materials to provide actionable insight. 

• Evaluate internal and external research trends and benchmark institutional positioning.  

Cross-Functional Coordination and Issue Resolution  

• Facilitates cross-unit decision-making of complex, problems involving research administration, academic leadership, and external partners. 

• Lead issue triage and escalation analysis, recommending resolution pathways to senior leadership and stakeholders. 

• Clarify ownership, decision rights, and accountability across organizational boundaries to stakeholders. 

Process Optimization and Organizational Effectiveness 

• Lead enterprise-level process assessments related to research administration and grants management. 

• Identify root causes of systemic inefficiencies and propose structural or procedural reforms. 

• Support pilot initiatives and change management efforts tied to improved institutional performance. 

Strategic Planning and Performance Management 

• Lead and maintain the Office of Research strategic plan and associated performance framework.  

• Translate executive priorities into measurable objectives, milestones, and accountability structures.   

• Monitor progress against strategic goals and identify risks requiring executive attention. 

Executive Initiative Oversight  

• Own the strategic oversight and performance evaluation of executive initiatives by assessing alignment, risk, and impact. 

• Provides status analysis and executive recommendations. 

• Ensure initiatives remain aligned with institutional priorities and capacity realities. 

Perform other duties as assigned by the Vice President of Research and Chief Research Officer (VPR/CRO). 

CORE COMPETENCIES  

• Basic knowledge of grants management and business operations, organization analysis, and institutional strategy. 

• Executive-level analytical writing, briefing, and verbal communication. 

• Basic performance measurement and dashboard development. 

• Cross-functional facilitation and process improvement. 

• Political and organizational acuity in complex environments. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant professional experience of at least seven (7) years or more. 

• A minimum of two (2) years experience in a progressively responsible administrative or executive support role, preferable in higher education or a complex organizational environment with demonstrated experience supporting senior mangers. 

Compliance Salary Range Disclosure

Compensation Range: $110,000 - $120,000