Director of Strategic Initiatives

University of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, PA

JOB DETAILS
SKILLS
Alliance/Partner Management, Analysis Skills, Budgeting, Business Administration, Communication Skills, Continuous Improvement, Cross-Functional, Educational Administration, Executive Assistant Skills , Higher Education, Leadership, Operational Strategy, Operations Management, Operations Planning, Operations Research, Organizational Development/Management, Organizational Learning, Performance Analysis, Performance Management, Performance Metrics, Plan Meetings, Project Development, Project Management Software, Project Tracking, Project/Program Coordination, Project/Program Management, Public Administration, Public/Media/Press/Analyst Relations, Reporting Dashboards, Reporting Skills, Status Reports, Strategic Analysis, Strategic Planning, Student Services, Team Player
LOCATION
Pittsburgh, PA
POSTED
3 days ago

''448223'',''true'',''448223'',''false'',''Submission for the position: Director of Strategic Initiatives - (Job Number: 26004032)'',''false'',''448223'',''false'',''true'',''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.

'',''!*!

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.

'',''!*!

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.

'','''',''!*!

  • 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.

'',''!*!

  • 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.

'',''!*!

Little physical effort required. Duties are primarily sedentary. May be required to move objects up to 25 pounds occasionally.

'',''!*!

Little physical effort required. Duties are primarily sedentary. May be required to move objects up to 25 pounds occasionally.

'',''!*!

The University of Pittsburgh is an equal opportunity employer / disability / veteran.

'',''Full-time regular'',''Full-time regular'',''Staff.Director - Student Affairs'',''Staff.Director - Student Affairs'',''Academic & Student Services'',''Academic & Student Services'',''Student Services'',''Student Services'',''Pittsburgh'',''Pittsburgh'','''','''',''Bachelor''s Degree'',''Bachelor''s Degree'','''','''',''7'',''7'',''Combination of education and relevant experience will be considered in lieu of education and/ or experience requirement.'',''Combination of education and relevant experience will be considered in lieu of education and/ or experience requirement.'','''','''',''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.'',''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.'',''Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. occasional nights and weekends required.'',''Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. occasional nights and weekends required.'',''Hybrid: Combination of On-Campus and Remote work as determined by the department.'',''Hybrid: Combination of On-Campus and Remote work as determined by the department.'',''TBD Based Upon Qualifications'',''TBD Based Upon Qualifications'',''Yes'',''Yes'',''No'',''No'',''For position finalists, employment with the University will require successful completion of a background check'',''For position finalists, employment with the University will require successful completion of a background check'',''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.'',''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.'',''Resume, Cover Letter'',''Resume, Cover Letter'',''Not Applicable'',''Not Applicable'',''false'',''448223'',''448223'',''true'',''448223'',''false'',''Submission for the position: Director of Strategic Initiatives - (Job Number: 26004032)'',''false'',''448223'',''false'',''true''

About the Company

U

University of Pittsburgh