Director of Strategic Initiatives

About the Job

The College of Liberal Arts (CLA) at the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities seeks a highly motivated and experienced Director of Strategic Initiatives to join its Student Success leadership team. This pivotal role brings problem-solving expertise, innovation, and project management, partnering with the Chief Student Success Officer to drive CLA’s student success priorities. The Director will lead cross-functional initiatives that enhance collaboration across teams and translate strategic goals into practical, sustainable outcomes.

CLA is the largest college at the University and in the state of Minnesota, serving over 12,000 undergraduate students across more than 60 majors in the humanities, social sciences, and creative disciplines.

Primary Responsibilities:

Strategic Project Management (40%)

• Lead the design, planning, and execution of cross-functional initiatives within CLA Student Success.
• Translate strategic priorities into actionable plans with clear timelines, responsibilities, and measurable outcomes.
• Serve as a thought partner to the Chief Student Success Officer and senior leadership, providing recommendations informed by data, research, and best practices.

Operational Systems and Process Improvement (30%)

• Identify opportunities for innovation, process improvement, and operational efficiency across the unit, leveraging technology to enhance effectiveness.
• Design, implement, and optimize systems, tools, and workflows that support consistent and effective delivery of student services and initiatives.
• Build trust and buy-in across teams and units to facilitate smooth implementation of new and changed programs, policies, and processes.

Data, Assessment, and Innovation (20%)

• Utilize student, operational, and programmatic data to guide decision-making and inform strategy.
• Conduct analyses to identify trends, opportunities, and areas for improvement.
• Establish processes to monitor progress, assess outcomes, and inform continuous improvement, communicating findings to leadership and stakeholders.

Collaboration and Partnership (10%)

• Serve as a member of the Student Success leadership team, providing guidance and support to CLA senior leaders.
• Cultivate strong working relationships with stakeholders across CLA Student Success and other relevant academic and campus units.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree plus at least 8 years of relevant experience, or Master’s degree plus at least 6 years of relevant experience.
• Experience in higher education administration, preferably in student success, advising, or related areas.
• Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional initiatives from planning through implementation and evaluation.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to use data to inform decision-making.
• Exceptional organizational and communication skills, including the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.
• Proven ability to build partnerships and trust, influence without direct authority, and foster collaboration across diverse teams and units.

Preferred:

• Master’s degree or higher in higher education, student affairs, or a related field.
• Experience leading initiatives across multiple student success functions, including advising, student services, career services, recruitment, scholarships, and communications.
• Hands-on experience with student information systems, data analytics, and technology-enabled workflow solutions to improve operational efficiency and outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to drive innovation, process improvement, and organizational change that improve student outcomes.
• Experience working in a large, decentralized college or university environment.