Director of Strategic Initiatives

We are seeking a Director for Strategic Initiatives who will be a trusted advisor to the Chief of Staff to the Provost & AVP for Strategic Initiatives (CoS/AVP), and a key member of the Provost’s Office leadership team. The role will play an important role in support of institutional priorities with a focus on strategic and effective execution and collaboration to develop and launch high-impact strategic initiatives.

The role will collaborate with the CoS/AVP on project management and program development on behalf of the provost. This includes helping to ensure that university-wide initiatives within the Office are harmonized, progressing transparently towards set deadlines, objectives, milestones, and essential metrics or criteria. They will provide high-level management for several initiatives and projects that have significant implications across the university, including those directly related to the university’s strategic plan, the Ten for One.

Working closely with Office of the Provost personnel, university administration, divisional leadership, and others across the university, this position plays a key role in collaboratively advancing university priorities, those specific to the Office, and other needs as assigned. The Director will work closely with, and serve as a resource for, the Vice Provosts and their teams, and serves as a strategic liaison with university and community constituencies, across all levels of leadership.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the CoS/AVP and partners across the university to design and implement new initiatives, ensuring a deep understanding of the relevant international landscape, and creating sensitive and/or confidential materials, including briefings, presentations, reviews, and draft correspondence.
  
• Provide in-depth and precise research, writing, analytical support, and program management for significant, university-wide initiatives being launched from the Office of the Provost.
• Develop and update project plans and related documentation related to critical university-wide initiatives.
• Manage project scope and follow proper escalation paths to ensure that deadlines are achieved, and deliverables meet expectations.
• Develop written reports and presentations on findings, plans and recommendations for executive leadership, relevant stakeholders, and the broader community, ensuring that communications are clear, precise, and compelling.
• Collaborate with internal points of contact and subject matter experts to ensure that all materials are accurate, fact-checked, and proofed to the highest standards. May also collaborate with Central Communications team to ensure that brand management and communication standards are met.
• Manage the creation of materials for the Board of Trustees, through defined collaboration with the Provost and leadership team. Collaborate with the CoS/AVP and Provost to manage the process of tracking agenda topics and materials for leadership meetings, including those within the Office of the Provost and meetings with other university leadership or external stakeholders.
• Ensure the timely flow and content of information to and from the Office. Demonstrate a steadfast commitment to enhancing workflows and communications, amplifying the overall productivity of the Office.
• Establish excellent working relationships with key stakeholders, including Vice Provosts, Deans’ offices, the President's Office, and other key university leadership offices.
• Other duties as assigned by the CoS/AVP.
• Support additional strategic change management and program development efforts that originate from the Office of the Provost
• This description is a general statement of required major duties and responsibilities performed on a regular and continuous basis. It does not exclude other duties as assigned.

Special Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Demonstrated emotional intelligence and the ability to use diplomacy and sensitivity in working with a diverse and broad range of constituents and relate effectively to individuals throughout all levels of the organization and its external stakeholders.
• Strong verbal, written and interpersonal skills including outstanding listening, communication, persuasion and presentation abilities with a demonstrated focus on accuracy and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, exercise discretion and sound judgment, and manage situations that require time-sensitive solutions.
• Proven track record of effective leadership and ability to navigate complex issues and drive strong performance results with the ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Strong project management, organizational and data interpretation skills with the ability to efficiently manage mul