"Director of Strategic Operations and Initiatives"

Job Description Summary

The Director of Strategic Operations and Initiatives for Student Life is a key member of the Student Life leadership team, reporting to the AVP for Planning, Assessment, and Transition. This position is central to advancing the division's goals by fostering innovation, advancing strategic initiatives, driving data-informed improvement, and thoughtfully stewarding our resources. The Director will manage a portfolio that includes divisional assessment/data efforts, grant funding, gift stewardship, student and staff recognition programs, and a range of strategic projects that contribute to the student experience and overall student success.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Initiatives & Stewardship:

• Manage the responsible stewardship of gifts and grants, ensuring that all funds across the Division are allocated and utilized in accordance with donor intent and divisional priorities. Work with divisional directors to ensure completion of high-quality annual donor impact reports.
• Oversee and manage the distribution of grants to students and offices through the Family Fund, ensuring equitable and transparent processes. Provide semi-annual reports on the Family Fund for the Parents Council.
• Plan and implement divisional-level awards (e.g. President’s Distinguished Service Awards, senior service awards) and recognition programs for both student and staff employees to foster a culture of appreciation and achievement.
• Lead and execute a variety of strategic, time-limited projects that span multiple departments as new needs arise, ensuring they are completed on time and within scope.
• Track and prioritize divisional workgroup recommendations over time and recommend plans for completion.
• Serve as consultant for directors as they navigate the hiring process for new staff.
• Coordinate divisional-level onboarding, training, and support of new staff.

Assessment and Data Responsibilities:

• Serve as a leader in the division's assessment efforts by developing and implementing assessment plans, collecting and analyzing key performance indicators (KPIs), and identifying trends to inform strategic decision-making.
• Prepare and present data-driven reports and insights to divisional leadership and university stakeholders to highlight the impact of divisional programs and services.
• Serve as a resource for training and consultation on assessment practices, survey design, and evaluation methodologies.
• Research and support the identification of grant funding opportunities to advance divisional and institutional goals. Mentor divisional staff through the grant application and implementation process, acting as primary liaison to the Office of Research and Innovation.

General Duties:

• Serve as a liaison for internal and external Student Life partners on strategic initiatives and projects.
• Assist the Senior VP for Student Life and AVPs with special projects and other duties as assigned.

Minimum qualifications:

• Master's degree, completed by the start date.
• 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in higher education, with a focus on student affairs or a related field.
• Experience in strategic planning, project management, data analysis, or institutional assessment is crucial. A proven track record of successfully managing complex projects from inception to completion is highly valued.

Preferred qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration, Student Affairs, Business Administration (MBA), public administration, social sciences, or a related field, completed by the start date.
• Experience leading or managing teams, initiatives, or projects, in a formal or informal supervisory capacity.
• Experience applying for and/or administering grants.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strategic Thinking & Planning: The ability to think strategically, anticipate challenges, and develop actionable plans to achieve long-term goals.
• Data Analysis and Assessment: Strong analytical skills and proficiency in using data to inform decisions.
• Project Management: Excellent organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, set timelines, and ensure deadlines are met.
• Communication: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills. This includes the ability to write clear, concise reports and proposals, as well as to present complex information to diverse audiences (students, staff, and senior leadership).
• Collaboration and Interpersonal Skills: The ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including students, faculty, staff, and external partners.
• Problem-Solving: The ability to identify problems, analyze them objectively, and develop creative and practical solutions.
• Adaptability: The capacity to thrive in a dynamic and fast-paced environment and to manage unexpected challenges with a calm and strategic approach.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Advanced Data Analysis: Demonstrated proficiency with data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, SPSS, Tableau, Qualtrics, Power BI)
• Advanced Assessment: Experience in assessing program effectiveness, and telling a compelling story. Familiarity with assessment models and tools.
• Financial Acumen: Experience with budget management, grant writing, and financial stewardship.

Additional Position Information (if applicable)

Required Application Documents
Resume and cover letter
Special Instructions (if applicable)
None
Additional Information
A criminal background check is required. All campuses are smoke- and tobacco-free campuses.
This organization participates in E-Verify.