Position Summary
The Executive Director for Academic Operations and Strategic Execution is a high-level leadership with strategic role within the university, focused on supporting the chief academic officer in translating the institution’s strategic vision into actionable plans, ensuring effective implementation, and driving measurable outcomes. This position bridges the gap between high-level strategy formulation and day-to-day operations, emphasizing accountability, alignment, and adaptation in a dynamic…
academic environment. The role requires a blend of strategic foresight, operational expertise, and strong interpersonal skills to navigate complex university structures and external challenges.
Job Duties
Strategic Planning and Implementation (20%)
- Assist the SVC in developing and refining OAA strategic plans, including academic priorities, research initiatives, student success programs, and resource allocation.
- Design detailed execution frameworks, timelines, and milestones to operationalize strategic goals, ensuring they align with the university’s mission, values, and external factors like accreditation standards or funding opportunities.
- Identify potential barriers to execution and propose solutions, such as reallocating resources or adjusting priorities based on emerging trends in higher education.
- Work in close collaboration with Chancellor’s cabinet members and their leadership teams
Monitoring and Evaluation (20%)
- Oversee the tracking of key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to assess progress toward strategic objectives, using data analytics and reporting tools to provide insights to the SVC.
- Conduct regular reviews and audits of ongoing initiatives, identifying successes, risks, and areas for improvement. This might involve preparing reports or dashboards that highlight outcomes in areas like enrollment and retention, faculty development, or research productivity.
- Recommend adaptive strategies to address unforeseen challenges, such as budget constraints, policy changes, or external disruptions (e.g., shifts in technology or global events).
Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration (20%)
- Serve as a liaison between the SVC and key internal stakeholders, including OAA leadership team, deans, department chairs, faculty senate executive leadership team and key committees, and administrative teams, to foster buy-in and coordination.
- Facilitate cross-functional working groups or task forces to execute complex projects, such as curriculum reforms or partnerships with external organizations.
Advisory and Decision Support (15%)
- Provide expert counsel to the SVC on best practices in strategic execution, drawing from knowledge of higher education trends, innovation, and evidence-based approaches.
- Co-lead with the Chancellor’s designee on the committee to solicit, select, distribute and monitor Weitz Innovation Funds.
- Analyze data and research to inform decision-making, such as evaluating the impact of new academic programs or assessing the feasibility of expansion initiatives.
- Serve as key liaison on behalf of the SVC and OAA on risk management, ethical considerations, and compliance issues related to strategic projects.
Leadership and Resource Management (20%)
- Assist the SVC in leading or co-leading cross-functional strategic initiatives, in collaboration with other university leaders.
- Advise on budgeting and resource allocation to ensure efficient use of OAA funds, personnel, and infrastructure for strategic priorities.
- Promote a culture of continuous improvement and innovation within the academic community.
Supervision of OAA Staff Personnel (5%)
Including Executive Associate, Senior Administrative Associate, Administrative Associates, & Communications and Project Specialists
Required Qualifications
An advanced degree (e.g., Ph.D., Ed.D., or MBA) in a relevant field, including higher education administration, business, or a discipline aligned with the institution’s focus. Extensive experience (10+ years) in academic leadership at department, college, or university levels, strategic planning, or institutional operations is essential. Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, with a proven track record of executing complex projects. Excellent analytical abilities, including proficiency in data analysis tools and metrics-driven decision-making. Superior communication and interpersonal skills to influence diverse stakeholders and build consensus. Adaptability and resilience to handle the fast-paced, collaborative nature of university environments. Impeccable integrity and ethic decision-making. A deep understanding of higher education challenges (e.g., funding models, academic program vitality and sustainability in an era of AI transformation) and a deep commitment to UNO’s mission and institutional values focusing on accessibility, social mobility, community engagement, academic excellence and innovation.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience as a Dean or equivalent level academic leadership role. Broad experience across academic leadership. Research expertise. Experience in Strategic Partnerships
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