Johns Hopkins, founded in 1876, is America's first research university and home to nine world-class academic divisions working together as one university.

We are seeking an Executive Director, Strategic Solution Teams to serve as the senior leader responsible for the operational execution of strategies and policies set forth by JHU senior leadership to reduce administrative burdens on all University divisions, streamline high-volume transactional functions, and foster efficiency across the University. Initial areas of scope include finance, procurement, and human resources (HR).

Reporting jointly to the CFO and CHRO, the Executive Director is responsible for building and leading University-wide shared service delivery in areas of finance, procurement, and HR. The Executive Director partners with other members of the JHU Operating Model leadership team and the Directors of HR and Finance Solution Teams, to ensure implementation of a forward-looking operational strategy that enhances efficiency, innovation, and service across the university. Closely collaborating with the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Sightline Program Executive, Chief Procurement Officer (CPO), Deans, and Divisional Business Officers (DBOs), the Executive Director ensures seamless integration of administrative operations across operational teams and digital capabilities, in line with the university’s mission, long-term goals, and institutional priorities.

This role fosters cross-functional and cross-organizational collaboration, co-leads operational governance, and cultivates a high-performing service-oriented culture. This role works to build and integrate emerging technologies (including AI) to leverage their team to provide world-class service to the Johns Hopkins University community.

Scope / Complexity

The Executive Director holds broad responsibility for the university’s service delivery strategy and execution across HR, Finance, and Procurement, overseeing multiple high-impact functions and driving enterprise-wide initiatives.

This includes:

Strategic Leadership - In collaboration with the CFO, CHRO and Divisional Business Officers (“DBOs”), aligning priorities and operational direction with institutional goals.
Scale - Managing a large and complex portfolio of service delivery units, including the newly formed Solution Teams overseeing HR and finance operations, which will be comprised of approximately 200 staff who are internally shifting to fill these new roles.
Innovation - Leading the creation, integration, and deployment of advanced digital capabilities (including AI technology) to support and augment Solution Teams and broader operations to drive operational efficiency and enhanced service delivery.
Change Management - Leading the transition to the new operating model, which includes bringing together 170+ staff from across the University to form new Solution Teams, modernizing processes, and implementing enterprise-wide operational improvements.
Stakeholder Engagement - Acting as a trusted advisor to executive leadership, Deans, faculty, and staff, while building strong partnerships with other University constituents. Serve as a key liaison with governance bodies, providing actionable data, insights, and recommendations.
Risk Management & Compliance - Aligning operational capabilities and service delivery to university policies, federal regulations, and best practices in finance, and HR operations.

This role requires exceptional organizational leadership, the ability to manage complex cross-divisional initiatives, and a commitment to measurable outcomes and data-informed decision-making.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership and oversight for all operational functions under their purview.
Foster a culture of first-class service, excellence, collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement across the solution centers and divisions.
Establish and standardize business processes across the University using data analytics, quality metrics, and stakeholder input.
Develop and implement a university-wide operational vision and strategy that defines how digital assets and capabilities will augment and extend human resources to support JHU’s mission and long-term institutional priorities.
Lead transformational initiatives, including the transition to Solution Teams, driving efficiency, innovation, and excellence in service delivery.
Supervise and mentor the Finance and HR Solution Teams directors.
Partner with HR, finance, and other leaders to ensure seamless cross-functional operations.
With the new governance structure, establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure operational performance, efficiency, and effectiveness.
Identify trends and best practices in the administration of finance and business operations, and HR, and collaborate with the functional leaders to ensure JHU policies, procedures, and initiatives are updated accordingly.
Serve as the primary liaison between operational units and the JHU executive team, influencing key decisions and initiatives. Promote transparency and accountability through timely communication and regular stakeholder engagement.
Promote innovation through process improvement, digital transformation, and data-driven operational strategies.
Foster a learning culture within the solution center by supporting staff development, professional certifications, and process improvement training (e.g., Lean Six Sigma).
Provide crisis and continuity leadership for solutions center operations during emergencies or unexpected disruptions, ensuring service delivery and communication protocols are maintained.
Ensure compliance with university policies, federal regulations, and other applicable standards and support internal and external audits, risk assessments, and compliance initiatives by ensuring proper controls, documentation and accountability mechanisms are in place.
Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, or related field.
Ten plus years of progressive leadership experience in operations, administration, or related areas within a complex organization.
Proven ability to lead effectively within and across functional areas using collaboration, strong listening skills, and persuasion to guide decision making and influence critical operations.
Strong knowledge of compliance, policy development, and operational best practices.
Demonstrated experience driving transformational change and building a high-performing organizational culture.
Executive-level problem solving and organization skills and ability to function in a high demand environment.
Outstanding diplomatic, negotiation and communication skills.
Additional education may substitute for required experience, and additional related experience may substitute for required education beyond a high school diploma/graduation equivalent, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

Preferred Qualifications

Master's Degree in Business Administration or related field.
Experience in higher education or large-scale research institutions.
Record accomplishment of implementing operational improvements, innovation, and strategic initiatives.
Familiarity with JHU systems, processes, and Solution Team models.
Experience leading diverse teams and fostering inclusive workplace practices.
Ability and desire to innovate and apply creative problem-solving to the complex challenges facing the University and higher education.
Project development expertise to lead (or assist staff in leading) new initiatives on a broad scale.

Technical Skills and Expected Level of Proficiency

Business Acumen - Authority
Confidentiality and Discretion - Advanced
Change Management - Authority
Data Extraction and Reporting - Advanced
Interpersonal Skills - Advanced
Policy Development and Implementation - Advanced
Project Management - Authority
Staff Training and Development - Authority
Stakeholder Engagement - Authority

The core technical skills listed are most essential, additional technical skills may be required based on specific division or department needs.

The expected base pay salary range for this position is $250,000.00 - $300,000.00

Executive Director, Strategic Solution Teams

Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA