Position Profile:
Director of Strategic Initiatives and Engagement 

Reports To:
President/CEO

Status:
Full-time, exempt

Location:
6785 Bobcat Way, Suite 200, Dublin, Ohio 43016

About the Foundation

The Osteopathic Heritage Foundation (the Foundation) is guided by a mission to improve health and quality of life in the community through education, research, and service consistent with its osteopathic heritage. Since 1999, the Foundation has advanced this mission through thoughtful stewardship, strategic philanthropy, and collaborative partnerships, while responsibly managing a $350 million endowment to support enduring and transformational impact.  As a private foundation, the Foundation annually invests at least five percent of its assets in mission-related priorities. The Foundation is governed by a seventeen-member Board of Directors.

While serving statewide and national interests, particularly related to osteopathic medical education and research, the Foundation’s philanthropic activities are concentrated in central and southeastern Ohio.

Core Values

• Respect and dignity for all people
• Thoughtful consideration and careful deliberation, speaking with one voice
• Integrity, ethical business practices and consistency
• A passion for excellence and pride in accomplishments
• Encouragement of innovation and leadership
• Stewardship and frugality of financial resources

Operating Model

The Foundation operates through an embedded operating model that integrates full-time employees, fractional leaders, and specialized consultants into a single, unified team. Regardless of employment arrangement, team members work collaboratively with shared accountability, common priorities, and mutual responsibility for advancing the Foundation’s mission.

This approach reflects the Foundation’s commitment to thoughtful stewardship by aligning talent, expertise, and resources with strategic priorities. Designed to remain lean, flexible, and fiscally responsible, the model enables the Foundation to engage specialized expertise, adapt to evolving priorities, and maximize the resources dedicated to advancing its mission.

As the Foundation continues to evolve and expand its portfolio of work, it is adding a new full-time position to its team. This newly created role reflects a deliberate investment in the capacity needed to move ideas into action, strengthen strategic relationships, and support the successful execution of the Foundation’s mission.

About the Role

The Director of Strategic Initiatives and Engagement serves as a strategic connector and relationship builder, partnering with the President/CEO and the team to translate organizational priorities into coordinated action. The role leads planning, implementation, and stewardship of key initiatives by aligning strategy, operations, communications, and stakeholder engagement in support of the Foundation’s mission and priorities.

Success in the role requires the ability to move comfortably between strategic planning and thoughtful execution. The position works across internal and external relationships, coordinating with team members, funding partners, and mission-aligned partners to ensure initiatives are well organized, effectively communicated, and aligned with organizational priorities. Communications, stewardship, and engagement are viewed not as separate functions, but as complementary elements that strengthen relationships, build trust, and communicate impact.

The role also provides strategic counsel to the President/CEO by anticipating needs, exercising sound judgment, and ensuring appropriate issues are elevated at the right time. It requires discretion, adaptability, and the ability to navigate evolving priorities with professionalism while maintaining momentum across multiple initiatives.

This is a hands-on leadership role that requires the ability to move comfortably between strategic thinking and direct execution. The Director is expected to both set direction and advance the work, including drafting communications, managing key relationships, coordinating events and convenings, and overseeing strategic initiatives. Consistent with the Foundation’s embedded operating model, the Director will also work collaboratively with full-time employees, fractional leaders, and specialized consultants to extend organizational capacity and ensure work is executed effectively. Candidates who thrive in lean, collaborative environments where senior leaders remain closely connected to day-to-day execution while leveraging external expertise will be best suited to this role.

This role offers the opportunity to contribute to work that is both strategic and mission-driven, helping to strengthen funding partnerships, advance innovative initiatives, and support the Foundation’s commitment to improving health through the advancement of osteopathic medicine.

Key Accountabilities

Strategic Initiatives, Events, and Convenings

• Own the planning and coordination of Foundation events, meetings, and convenings, including the Foundation’s participation in events, ensuring consistency, quality, and alignment with strategic priorities.
• Provide strategic oversight for complex events, such as multi-day or off-site meetings, engaging specialized consultants for planning and execution while retaining accountability for outcomes and serving as the Foundation’s primary point of contact.
• Manage relationships with external partners, consultants, and vendors involved in Foundation initiatives and events.
• Provide project management for strategic initiatives, ensuring priorities remain organized, aligned and on track.

Strategic Relationships and Organizational Alignment

• Cultivate and manage relationships that advance the Foundation’s philanthropic priorities and strengthen engagement with key partners and stakeholders.
• Coordinate stewardship activities, including sponsorships and other engagement opportunities, that reinforce long-term relationships and promote the Foundation’s mission.
• Strengthen relationships with osteopathic physicians, osteopathic medical students, and other individuals and organizations connected to the Foundation’s mission.
• Lead the development, implementation and ongoing management of a customer relationship management (CRM) system to support relationship tracking, stewardship, and the preservation of institutional knowledge.
• Represent the Foundation at local, state, regional, and national meetings and events, strengthening relationships, fostering strategic partnerships, and advancing the Foundation’s mission.
• Strengthen the Foundation’s embedded operating model by promoting effective communication, organizational alignment, and collaboration across a team that includes full-time employees, fractional leaders, and specialized consultants.
• Identify, evaluate, and implement tools, systems, and processes that improve organizational effectiveness and support the successful execution of strategic priorities.

Required Skills and Experience 

• Eight to ten years of progressively responsible experience in strategy, operations, communications, philanthropy, healthcare, higher education, or a related field.
• Strong business acumen and organizational judgment, with the ability to understand how governance, operations, communications, finance, and stakeholder relationships work together to advance organizational priorities.
• Experience managing budgets with accuracy and accountability.
• Demonstrated ability to serve as a strategic partner to leadership, translating ideas into action, anticipating needs, and exercising sound judgment about when to seek guidance and when to act independently.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including experience drafting and editing executive-level communications, presentations, briefing materials, talking points, and other strategic communications.
• Executive presence and the confidence to represent the Foundation with Directors, funding partners, university leaders, physicians, community partners, and other key stakeholders.
• Exceptional organizational, project management, and relationship management skills, with the ability to balance strategic thinking with disciplined execution while managing multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate collaboration, build consensus, and promote organizational alignment across diverse teams and stakeholders.
• Experience planning and executing meetings, retreats, convenings, or events, including the management of consultants, contractors, vendors, and external partners.
• Discretion and professionalism in handling confidential information, sensitive organizational matters, and relationships requiring sound judgment.
• Ability to thrive in a lean, highly collaborative environment where flexibility, adaptability, initiative, hands-on execution, and shared accountability are essential.
• Technologically proficient and comfortable learning and leveraging new systems and platforms, including AI and other emerging technologies, to improve organizational effectiveness, communications, collaboration, and knowledge management.
• Bachelor’s degree required.

Preferred Experience

• Experience selecting, implementing, or managing a CRM system.
• Interest in and ability to develop a working knowledge of osteopathic medicine, medical education, biomedical and translational research, and health systems. Prior experience in these areas is valued but not required.
• Experience using AI and other emerging technologies to improve organizational effectiveness, collaboration, communications, and knowledge management.
• Experience collaborating with and developing team members, including setting priorities, providing feedback, and supporting professional growth.

Position Details

This is a full-time, exempt hybrid position based in Dublin, Ohio. The position requires periodic travel within Ohio and nationally to support Board meetings, Foundation initiatives, and partner relationships.

Evening and weekend availability is required to support Board meetings and Foundation and partner events and meetings.

The salary range for this role is $150,000 – $200,000 annually, based on qualifications and experience.

The Foundation offers a competitive benefits package, including health insurance, 401k benefits, vacation and medical leave, and professional development opportunities.

How to Apply

Complete the form to below to apply.
Priority deadline for consideration: October 1, 2026.