Strategy and University Initiatives Director

STRATEGY AND UNIVERSITY INITIATIVES DIRECTOR

Reporting to the Senior Vice President for Strategic Partnerships and University Initiatives, the Strategy and University Initiatives Director assists in achieving The New School’s mission and strategic imperatives. This position works to operationalize short-term and long-term goals in support of the university’s strategic initiatives in close partnership with the Senior Vice President and Vice Presidents of Culture, Voice, and Opportunity, Climate and Environmental Justice, Cities, and Technology. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with university leadership, cross-functional teams, and internal partners to drive strategic priorities and ensure alignment with institutional mission and goals.

The Director will be a collaborative partner, working closely with leaders and staff in the Office of University Initiatives and across the thematic areas of Culture, Voice, and Opportunity; Climate and Environmental Justice; Cities; and Technology.

The New School is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage applications from individuals who are committed to our mission and who seek to work collaboratively with all members of our community.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as functional project management, change management, and administrative lead for the Office of University Initiatives.

• Lead the design and implementation of programs, systems, initiatives, and comprehensive frameworks for tracking and measuring impact for the Office of University Initiatives across academic programs, research initiatives, and community partnerships in a way that reflects leading practice and are responsive to the needs, goals, and objectives of the institution.

• Develop theory of change models that connect activities to measurable outcomes. 

• Implement data collection systems and assessment methodologies to evaluate effectiveness of cross-disciplinary initiatives.

• Create regular reporting mechanisms for university leadership, faculty, students, and external stakeholders, establishing benchmarks and performance indicators that demonstrate strategic progress.

• Build internal and external strategic partnerships with constituents, organizations, and practitioners.

• Facilitate community-engaged research opportunities that connect faculty expertise with local challenges and policy priorities.

• Curate, coordinate, and manage internal and external expertise that could impact curriculum development and ensure programs reflect current practice and emerging trends.

• Represent The New School at conferences, convenings, and collaborative initiatives.

• Oversee grant identification and proposal development for interdisciplinary research initiatives spanning multiple schools and departments.

• Write and coordinate reports, research publications, and dissemination strategies.

• Facilitate experiential learning opportunities that integrate students into real-world research and community projects, connecting research findings with practical applications in curriculum and campus operations.

• Oversee team meetings and plan the design and implementation of office retreats.

• Lead, plan, and support staff searches, recruitment, and candidate visits.

• Monitor strategic initiatives and manage confirmed timelines and budgeting. 

• Provide guidance and consultation to university constituents regarding departmental policies and procedures.

• Manage the Office of University Initiatives budget and provide executive-level analyses for leadership.

• Lead and participate in specials projects as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor Degree or equivalent work experience.

• 7-10 years of related professional-level work experience.

• Experience in an academic environment, especially higher education.

• Demonstrated administrative and/or operational experience in functional areas and assigned duties.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively summarize and convey complex ideas to various stakeholders.

• Excellent organizational, customer service, communications, and interpersonal skills.

• Demonstrated ability to direct and successfully manage a wide variety of