Director of Strategic Initiatives
Director of Strategic Initiatives
Student Affairs - Pennsylvania-Pittsburgh - (26004032)
The Director of Strategic Initiatives provides leadership for division-wide strategic planning, organizational effectiveness, and cross-functional project management within the Division of Student Affairs. Reporting to the Executive Associate Dean, this position partners closely with divisional leadership to advance strategic priorities, improve organizational performance, and strengthen operational alignment across more than twenty departments.
The Director serves as the Division's central resource for coordinating strategic initiatives, facilitating planning processes, and supporting implementation of institutional priorities. Through collaboration with senior leadership, assessment professionals, communications staff, and campus partners, the position ensures strategic projects are effectively planned, executed, assessed, and communicated.
Strategic Planning & Organizational Effectiveness
• Coordinate development, implementation, and ongoing assessment of the Division's Strategic Plan.
• Facilitate strategic planning meetings, retreats, and leadership work sessions.
• Develop implementation plans, timelines, performance measures, and accountability frameworks.
• Identify opportunities to improve organizational effectiveness, operational efficiency, and cross-departmental collaboration.
Project & Initiative Management
• Lead complex, division-wide strategic initiatives involving multiple Student Affairs departments.
• Coordinate implementation of executive priorities and monitor project progress.
• Support organizational change initiatives through planning, communication, and stakeholder engagement.
• Develop project management tools, dashboards, and status reports.
Assessment, Reporting & Executive Support
• Integrate assessment findings, institutional research, and operational data into strategic decision-making.
• Prepare executive reports, Board of Trustees materials, annual reports, presentations, and strategic communications.
• Monitor progress toward strategic goals using performance metrics and assessment data.
• Provide research, analysis, and strategic planning support to divisional leadership.
Collaboration & Partnership Development
• Foster collaborative relationships across Student Affairs and University partners.
• Coordinate strategic initiatives requiring collaboration among multiple campus stakeholders.
• Represent the Division on assigned committees and strategic initiatives.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and organizational learning.
Job Summary
Executes strategic alignment, long-term planning, operational planning, and management oversight of major college, campus, or University-wide student affairs functions. Establishes the direction, goals, implementation strategy, evaluation means, student initiatives, and policies of the department. Maintains responsibility for budgetary matters. Directs effective communications, promotions, and public relations for the department.
Essential Functions
Coordinates division-wide strategic planning initiatives and organizational effectiveness efforts.
Manages implementation of strategic projects and monitors progress toward divisional priorities.
Develops planning documents, executive reports, annual reports, presentations, and strategic communications.
Facilitates strategic planning meetings, retreats, and cross-functional workgroups.
Integrates assessment findings and institutional data into planning and decision-making processes.
Identifies opportunities to improve organizational effectiveness and operational efficiency.
Collaborates with campus partners to advance strategic priorities across the Division.
Supports executive leadership through research, analysis, planning, and project coordination.
Represents the Division on assigned committees and strategic initiatives.
Performs additional duties as assigned.
Physical Effort
Little physical effort required. Duties are primarily sedentary. May be required to move objects up to 25 pounds occasionally.
Assignment Category: Full-time regular
Job Classification: Staff.Director - Student Affairs
Job Family: Academic & Student Services
Job Sub Family: Student Services
Campus: Pittsburgh
Minimum Education Level Required: Bachelor's Degree
Minimum Years of Experience Required: 7
Will this position accept substitution in lieu of education or experience: Combination of education and relevant experience will be considered in lieu of education and/ or experience requirement.
Additional details about Required Licensure/Certification: Master's degree in Higher Education, Public Administration, Business Administration, Organizational Leadership, Project Management, or a related field preferred. Minimum seven years of progressively responsible experience in strategic planning, project management, organizational effectiveness, assessment, or higher education administration. Combination of education and relevant experience may be considered in lieu of minimum requirements.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. occasional nights and weekends required.
Work Arrangement: Hybrid: Combination of On-Campus and Remote work as determined by the department.
Hiring Range: TBD Based Upon Qualifications
Relocation_Offered: Yes
Visa Sponsorship Provided: No
Background Check: For position finalists, employment with the University will require successful completion of a background check
Child Protection Clearances: The following PA Act 153 clearances and background checks are required prior to commencement of employment and as a condition of continued employment: PA State Police Criminal Record Check, FBI Criminal Record Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance.
Required Documents: Resume, Cover Letter
Optional Documents: Not Applicable
Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.
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