Title: Senior Director, Strategic Initiatives and Operations

Department:  Office of the Dean of the College

Duration: Indefinite

Employment Status: Exempt, Full-Time

Job Summary

Reporting to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College, the Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives and Operations provides strategic leadership and serves as a trusted advisor and executive partner, leading divisional strategic planning, OKR tracking, and complex cross-functional initiatives. The Senior Director enhances the Dean’s strategic capacity by navigating complex institutional dynamics, providing operational guidance, and advancing high-priority initiatives with discretion and sound judgment. The Senior Director leads internal and external stakeholder communications and oversees administrative processes related to faculty governance, tenure reviews, sabbaticals, and policy administration. The Senior Director provides leadership and oversight of Dean’s Office operations, delivers executive administrative support to the Dean and the Dean’s leadership team, and directly supervises the Faculty Director of Assessment and the Director of Student Academic Success.

Application Deadline: 11/30

Please apply directly on our website using the link below:
Application Link

Job Duties

• 25% - Strategic Planning & Project Management: Drive the planning, communication, and implementation of the division’s strategic plan while tracking progress toward institutional goals and Objectives and Key Results (OKRs). Serve as a strategic sounding board and advisor to the VPAA/Dean on divisional priorities and institutional planning. Lead and manage high-priority, cross-functional initiatives and special projects originating from the VPAA/Dean’s Office. - (Essential)
• 30% - Executive Administrative & Operational Leadership: Oversee day-to-day office operations, workflow efficiency, general office hospitality, and divisional meeting scheduling. Optimize the VPAA/Dean’s daily focus and strategic capacity through executive calendar prioritization, travel logistics, and comprehensive briefing preparation. Provide targeted project support for Associate Deans and serve as the administrative liaison to the Board of Trustees Academic Affairs & Technology Committee by preparing briefing materials, agendas, and reports. Proactively identify, triage, and mitigate emerging issues across the division to protect leadership capacity and institutional reputation. - (Essential)
• 20% - Academic Policies and Reviews: Provide operational leadership and administrative oversight for the Advisory Council (AC) and the Faculty Promotion and Tenure (P&T) review process. Coordinate academic program reviews with the Faculty Director of Assessment. Serve as the official custodian of Dean’s Office and divisional policy records, maintaining records and archives related to promotion and tenure reviews, sabbaticals, voluntary retirements, and emeritus status. - (Essential)
• 15% - Strategic Communications & Stakeholder Liaison: Lead internal and external divisional communications, serving as the primary communication bridge between the Dean’s Office, academic programs, and campus partners. Draft correspondence, policy announcements, and strategic presentations on behalf of the VPAA/Dean while navigating complex institutional dynamics and maintaining strict confidentiality regarding sensitive, high-risk personnel, student, and institutional matters. - (Essential)
• 5% - Staff Coordination & Supervision: Lead and convene Academic Affairs staff leaders across the unit, including Staff and Faculty Directors (currently referred to as AALF), in support of strategic priorities and cross-functional projects. Assist with internal Academic Affairs policies and procedures. Directly supervise and provide strategic oversight for the Director of Student Academic Success and the Faculty Director of Assessment. Recruit, mentor, and supervise one to two student interns within a structured, professionalized higher education leadership experience. - (Essential)
• 5% - Other Duties: Perform other duties as assigned. - (Essential)