University of Notre Dame
Managing Director LEO
Location:
Notre Dame, IN, United States Employment type:
Full-time Title:
Dean of Arts and Letters M3
Company Description The University of Notre Dame is more than a workplace! We are a vibrant, mission-driven community where every employee is valued and supported. Rooted in a tradition of excellence and inspired by our Catholic character, Notre Dame is committed to fostering an environment of care that nurtures the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. Here, you will find a deep sense of belonging, a culture that prioritizes well‑being, and the opportunity to grow your career while being a force for good in the world. Whether contributing to world‑class research, shaping the student experience, or supporting the University’s mission in other ways, you will be part of a dedicated team working to make a meaningful impact on campus and beyond. At Notre Dame, your work matters, and so do you!
Job Description To submit recommendations or to express interest in this position, please direct inquiries to LEOMD@russellreynolds.com. Applications submitted through this posting will not be reviewed.
The Wilson Sheehan Lab for Economic Opportunities (LEO) is a mission‑driven, premier research organization focused on alleviating domestic poverty through rigorous, evidence‑based programs. As a domestic poverty lab housed within the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, LEO pairs top researchers with leaders in the social service sector to conduct impact evaluations that identify effective programs and policies that help people move permanently out of poverty. Partnering with service providers who want to disrupt the anti‑poverty space, LEO brings science into service by designing and executing randomized control trials (RCTs) and other evaluation methods, turning promising ideas into demonstrable solutions that can scale.
University of Notre Dame economists Bill Evans and Jim Sullivan co‑founded LEO in 2012 and the lab has already engaged in 110 active or completed research studies, up 300% from six years ago. From replicating effective programs to influencing state and national policy, LEO works in areas related to education, health, housing, criminal justice, and economic mobility.
A few examples of LEO’s work include:
Staying the Course – LEO’s research evaluating Catholic Charities Fort Worth’s program helped grow a small service into a robust community‑embraced initiative with plans to serve thousands of students. It has spurred a community of practice that has changed federal policy to focus on community college completion efforts, not just access.
Homelessness Prevention Call Center – LEO’s research documenting the benefits for homelessness prevention helped Catholic Charities Chicago maintain funding for this vital service, leading to a similar study with Santa Clara County’s Destination Home. As a result, the Destination Home model will be expanded to 10 other cities across the nation.
Excel Center – LEO’s research showed that graduating from the Excel Center led to a nearly 40 percent increase in earnings five years after applying. LEO testimony helped launch the program in the state of Arizona and expand it by an additional 1,650 students in Indiana with investment from the state legislature.
Padua – LEO’s research documented the ability for this program to increase employment. LEO is now partnering with a national franchising organization to prepare for expansion and has helped raise $9 million to launch the program in Chicago and South Bend.
LEO has an annual operating budget of $10 million which is supported by a mix of both endowed and expendable funding. The lab is comprised of a team of 46 members, including 9 faculty, 9 predocs, 4 graduate assistants, and 24 staff members, and is advised by a board and a group of visionaries that include academic experts, business leaders, former government leaders, philanthropists, and anti‑poverty practitioners who care deeply about LEO’s mission.
Role The Managing Director has the rare opportunity to shape the future of poverty alleviation in the United States by working at the intersection of social service, academia, and public policy. Reporting directly to LEO’s co‑founders, the Managing Director has responsibility and accountability for the strategic, programmatic, financial, and management operations of the organization.
Based on the campus of the University of Notre Dame, LEO’s Managing Director will help lead and scale the organization through its second decade of success and growth. Guided by LEO’s strategic plan that runs through 2031, the Managing Director will drive the excellence of a growing research lab, cementing its position as the premiere domestic anti‑poverty research lab in the nation.
The Managing Director’s direct reports include:
Director of Research
Senior Associate Director of Policy and Impact
Associate Director of Strategic Initiatives
Associate Director of Research Operations
Associate Director of Administration
Right at Home Project Director
Specifically, the Managing Director will:
Embody the organization’s mission as it works to alleviate poverty in the United States;
Provide inspirational organizational management and visionary leadership;
Assist in the maintenance of a culture of scholarly excellence and intellectual vibrancy;
Strengthen collaboration among and between research and operational departments;
Grow the institution’s reach and real‑world impact through its commitment to rigorous research, programming, and engagement with a range of audiences, including the University of Notre Dame community, national media, and federal, state, and local government;
Partner with the executive leadership team, University leadership, and the board to achieve unity of purpose;
Collaborate with the University’s development office to diversify the organization’s financial support by cultivating and stewarding private philanthropy as well as grant funding;
Maintain and build upon LEO’s reputation as a leading voice in the domestic anti‑poverty community;
Ensure that the organization is transparent, aligned with its stated vision, mission, and values, and led by dedicated, diverse, and creative staff; and
Advance the mission of the University of Notre Dame where researching poverty is both an academic priority and a moral imperative.
Qualifications The next Managing Director will be an inspirational and operationally driven leader who will have the respect of academics, policymakers, partners, experts, and leaders in civil society. The Managing Director will possess intellectual depth, practical experience, and a proven ability to build cross‑sector partnerships that deliver real‑world impact. Success in this role requires a leader who is goal‑oriented, persistent, and strategically agile.
Management and Organizational Leadership:
Relevant executive experience in managing people, organizations, and a variety of stakeholders, including staff, a board, the university community, policymakers, and the donor community. Inclusive, transparent leadership, internal communication, employee engagement, and shared ownership of LEO’s mission. Demonstrated ability to recruit, motivate, and retain professional staff and lead, mentor, and coach a high‑performing senior leadership team.
Visionary Leadership:
Ability to define and lead an inspiring vision for the organization, implement the strategic plan through 2031, and plan for the next one. Ability to confront current challenges and those that will emerge over the next decade. Transparency in decision‑making and collaboration with a broad array of internal and external stakeholders.
Credibility and Commitment to the Mission:
Credibility across the full range of LEO’s national areas of work and a well‑informed grasp of anti‑poverty issues and the importance of causal evidence in addressing these issues.
External Relations and Advancement:
Coordination of fundraising, cultivation, and stewardship efforts, driving relationships into meaningful gifts. Ability to work with the development office to raise public and private financial resources. Strategic ambassador for LEO, building relationships with policymakers, university leaders, and civil society partners.
Strategic Acumen and Judgement:
Strong sense of integrity and ethics, ability to make clear and timely decisions, listen, and build consensus and networks to accomplish objectives.
Professional Experience:
Minimum of ten years of senior executive leadership experience in a complex organization with at least 25–50 employees. Proven record of accomplishment in strategic planning, team leadership, operations, budgeting, and cross‑functional integration.
Additional Information Application Deadline to Apply:
December 31, 2025
Hiring Pay Range:
Commensurate with Experience
Application Instructions:
For more information, to submit recommendations, or if you are interested in applying to this position, please direct inquiries to: LEOMD@russellreynolds.com.
To apply, visit: https://jobs.smartrecruiters.com/UniversityOfNotreDame/3743990010142156-managing-director-leo
At Notre Dame, we know our impact depends on exceptional people, people like you. We are committed to fostering a vibrant, welcoming community. In keeping with our mission, we encourage applications from all who will help build and strengthen our beloved community. We strive to empower every employee to flourish, knowing your success propels Notre Dame to new heights of impact.
Copyright and Posting Copyright 2025 Jobelephant.com Inc. All rights reserved.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Notre Dame, IN, United States Employment type:
Full-time Title:
Dean of Arts and Letters M3
Company Description The University of Notre Dame is more than a workplace! We are a vibrant, mission-driven community where every employee is valued and supported. Rooted in a tradition of excellence and inspired by our Catholic character, Notre Dame is committed to fostering an environment of care that nurtures the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. Here, you will find a deep sense of belonging, a culture that prioritizes well‑being, and the opportunity to grow your career while being a force for good in the world. Whether contributing to world‑class research, shaping the student experience, or supporting the University’s mission in other ways, you will be part of a dedicated team working to make a meaningful impact on campus and beyond. At Notre Dame, your work matters, and so do you!
Job Description To submit recommendations or to express interest in this position, please direct inquiries to LEOMD@russellreynolds.com. Applications submitted through this posting will not be reviewed.
The Wilson Sheehan Lab for Economic Opportunities (LEO) is a mission‑driven, premier research organization focused on alleviating domestic poverty through rigorous, evidence‑based programs. As a domestic poverty lab housed within the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, LEO pairs top researchers with leaders in the social service sector to conduct impact evaluations that identify effective programs and policies that help people move permanently out of poverty. Partnering with service providers who want to disrupt the anti‑poverty space, LEO brings science into service by designing and executing randomized control trials (RCTs) and other evaluation methods, turning promising ideas into demonstrable solutions that can scale.
University of Notre Dame economists Bill Evans and Jim Sullivan co‑founded LEO in 2012 and the lab has already engaged in 110 active or completed research studies, up 300% from six years ago. From replicating effective programs to influencing state and national policy, LEO works in areas related to education, health, housing, criminal justice, and economic mobility.
A few examples of LEO’s work include:
Staying the Course – LEO’s research evaluating Catholic Charities Fort Worth’s program helped grow a small service into a robust community‑embraced initiative with plans to serve thousands of students. It has spurred a community of practice that has changed federal policy to focus on community college completion efforts, not just access.
Homelessness Prevention Call Center – LEO’s research documenting the benefits for homelessness prevention helped Catholic Charities Chicago maintain funding for this vital service, leading to a similar study with Santa Clara County’s Destination Home. As a result, the Destination Home model will be expanded to 10 other cities across the nation.
Excel Center – LEO’s research showed that graduating from the Excel Center led to a nearly 40 percent increase in earnings five years after applying. LEO testimony helped launch the program in the state of Arizona and expand it by an additional 1,650 students in Indiana with investment from the state legislature.
Padua – LEO’s research documented the ability for this program to increase employment. LEO is now partnering with a national franchising organization to prepare for expansion and has helped raise $9 million to launch the program in Chicago and South Bend.
LEO has an annual operating budget of $10 million which is supported by a mix of both endowed and expendable funding. The lab is comprised of a team of 46 members, including 9 faculty, 9 predocs, 4 graduate assistants, and 24 staff members, and is advised by a board and a group of visionaries that include academic experts, business leaders, former government leaders, philanthropists, and anti‑poverty practitioners who care deeply about LEO’s mission.
Role The Managing Director has the rare opportunity to shape the future of poverty alleviation in the United States by working at the intersection of social service, academia, and public policy. Reporting directly to LEO’s co‑founders, the Managing Director has responsibility and accountability for the strategic, programmatic, financial, and management operations of the organization.
Based on the campus of the University of Notre Dame, LEO’s Managing Director will help lead and scale the organization through its second decade of success and growth. Guided by LEO’s strategic plan that runs through 2031, the Managing Director will drive the excellence of a growing research lab, cementing its position as the premiere domestic anti‑poverty research lab in the nation.
The Managing Director’s direct reports include:
Director of Research
Senior Associate Director of Policy and Impact
Associate Director of Strategic Initiatives
Associate Director of Research Operations
Associate Director of Administration
Right at Home Project Director
Specifically, the Managing Director will:
Embody the organization’s mission as it works to alleviate poverty in the United States;
Provide inspirational organizational management and visionary leadership;
Assist in the maintenance of a culture of scholarly excellence and intellectual vibrancy;
Strengthen collaboration among and between research and operational departments;
Grow the institution’s reach and real‑world impact through its commitment to rigorous research, programming, and engagement with a range of audiences, including the University of Notre Dame community, national media, and federal, state, and local government;
Partner with the executive leadership team, University leadership, and the board to achieve unity of purpose;
Collaborate with the University’s development office to diversify the organization’s financial support by cultivating and stewarding private philanthropy as well as grant funding;
Maintain and build upon LEO’s reputation as a leading voice in the domestic anti‑poverty community;
Ensure that the organization is transparent, aligned with its stated vision, mission, and values, and led by dedicated, diverse, and creative staff; and
Advance the mission of the University of Notre Dame where researching poverty is both an academic priority and a moral imperative.
Qualifications The next Managing Director will be an inspirational and operationally driven leader who will have the respect of academics, policymakers, partners, experts, and leaders in civil society. The Managing Director will possess intellectual depth, practical experience, and a proven ability to build cross‑sector partnerships that deliver real‑world impact. Success in this role requires a leader who is goal‑oriented, persistent, and strategically agile.
Management and Organizational Leadership:
Relevant executive experience in managing people, organizations, and a variety of stakeholders, including staff, a board, the university community, policymakers, and the donor community. Inclusive, transparent leadership, internal communication, employee engagement, and shared ownership of LEO’s mission. Demonstrated ability to recruit, motivate, and retain professional staff and lead, mentor, and coach a high‑performing senior leadership team.
Visionary Leadership:
Ability to define and lead an inspiring vision for the organization, implement the strategic plan through 2031, and plan for the next one. Ability to confront current challenges and those that will emerge over the next decade. Transparency in decision‑making and collaboration with a broad array of internal and external stakeholders.
Credibility and Commitment to the Mission:
Credibility across the full range of LEO’s national areas of work and a well‑informed grasp of anti‑poverty issues and the importance of causal evidence in addressing these issues.
External Relations and Advancement:
Coordination of fundraising, cultivation, and stewardship efforts, driving relationships into meaningful gifts. Ability to work with the development office to raise public and private financial resources. Strategic ambassador for LEO, building relationships with policymakers, university leaders, and civil society partners.
Strategic Acumen and Judgement:
Strong sense of integrity and ethics, ability to make clear and timely decisions, listen, and build consensus and networks to accomplish objectives.
Professional Experience:
Minimum of ten years of senior executive leadership experience in a complex organization with at least 25–50 employees. Proven record of accomplishment in strategic planning, team leadership, operations, budgeting, and cross‑functional integration.
Additional Information Application Deadline to Apply:
December 31, 2025
Hiring Pay Range:
Commensurate with Experience
Application Instructions:
For more information, to submit recommendations, or if you are interested in applying to this position, please direct inquiries to: LEOMD@russellreynolds.com.
To apply, visit: https://jobs.smartrecruiters.com/UniversityOfNotreDame/3743990010142156-managing-director-leo
At Notre Dame, we know our impact depends on exceptional people, people like you. We are committed to fostering a vibrant, welcoming community. In keeping with our mission, we encourage applications from all who will help build and strengthen our beloved community. We strive to empower every employee to flourish, knowing your success propels Notre Dame to new heights of impact.
Copyright and Posting Copyright 2025 Jobelephant.com Inc. All rights reserved.
#J-18808-Ljbffr