Associate Vice President for Strategic Initiatives

Position Purpose

Serves as the primary strategist and project leader for a portfolio of Dartmouth's strategic initiatives, including cross-institutional priorities that span operations, capital planning, governance, policy, planning, and crisis management. Simultaneously acts as a strategic liaison and coordinator across other operational initiatives-such as housing, childcare, and energy transition-that have designated owners but require cross-functional alignment. Reports directly to the Senior Vice President for Operations and Strategic Initiatives, translating senior leadership priorities into structured workplans, timelines, and deliverables. Prepares board-level materials, conducts policy research and financial analysis, and manages complex stakeholder processes that span academic, administrative, and governance constituencies. This role demands exceptional judgment, political acuity, and the ability to drive progress on sensitive institutional matters in a decentralized, consensus-oriented environment.

Required Qualifications - Education and Yrs Exp

Bachelors or equivalent combination of education and experience

Required Qualifications - Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible experience in strategic planning, project management, policy analysis, or institutional administration, preferably in a complex organizational setting such as higher education, government, a large nonprofit, or as a consultant working on projects in those fields.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent projects with competing deadlines, translate ambiguous mandates into structured workplans, and drive initiatives to completion with minimal supervision.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce board-quality presentations, policy briefs, and executive communications. Strong analytical skills with the capacity to synthesize complex information into clear recommendations. Proven ability to influence and collaborate across diverse constituencies in politically sensitive environments.
• Demonstrated experience managing budgets and conducting financial analysis, including the ability to build financial models, evaluate cost-benefit tradeoffs, and present data-driven recommendations to senior leadership.