Director of Strategy & Operations

Director of Strategy & Operations

Pace University | New York, NY

Ranked among the top 9% of private U.S. colleges for return on tuition investment, Pace University transforms lives through academic excellence, experiential learning, and a commitment to opportunity. We empower a diverse student population to achieve success academically, professionally, and socioeconomically.

Pace University seeks a strategic, data-driven leader to serve as Director of Strategy & Operations within University Relations. Reporting to the Vice President of University Relations, this role will drive strategic planning, performance measurement, operational excellence, and cross-functional execution across a dynamic marketing and communications organization. The Director will ensure initiatives are aligned with institutional priorities, measurable, and effectively executed while fostering collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead marketing and communications measurement, analytics, and performance reporting across brand, reputation, engagement, and outcomes.
• Translate complex data into actionable insights for senior leadership.
• Drive strategic planning, annual goal-setting, and progress tracking.
• Lead and coordinate high-impact, cross-functional initiatives across marketing, communications, digital, social, media relations, and brand teams.
• Implement project management frameworks, workflows, and tools that promote transparency and accountability.
• Support operational planning, resource alignment, and process improvement efforts.
• Present recommendations and progress updates to senior university leaders as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
• 7+ years of experience in marketing, communications, strategy, analytics, planning, or operations.
• Strong understanding of integrated marketing, brand management, digital strategy, social media, media relations, and campaign execution.
• Demonstrated expertise in performance measurement, analytics, and project leadership.
• Proven success leading complex initiatives in matrixed organizations.
• Experience managing or mentoring strategy and analytics professionals.
• Exceptional communication, stakeholder management, and executive presentation skills.
• Higher education experience preferred.

Pace offers a competitive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, retirement savings opportunities, tuition benefits for employees and eligible family members, wellness programs, work-life resources, and employee discounts.

Pace University is committed to equal opportunity and inclusion in all aspects of university life.