Director of Strategic Projects and Engagement

About the Role

This position serves as a strategic partner and coordinator, assisting with the execution of the Division of Student Affairs' strategic initiatives and supporting alignment with the Office of Academic Excellence and Opportunity (AEO). Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Strategy and Engagement, the incumbent partners with the Division of Student Affairs' senior leadership team and key campus stakeholders to advance strategic priorities, assessment efforts, engagement initiatives, and organizational effectiveness.

The position supports the ongoing alignment of initiatives between the Office of Academic Excellence and Opportunity (AEO) and the Division of Student Affairs (DSA), fostering collaboration and helping cultivate a culture of transparency, shared vision, and common language across the division. The incumbent serves as a strategic thought partner, facilitating communication, coordination, and implementation of initiatives that support divisional and institutional goals.

This role provides leadership for the implementation, monitoring, and assessment of the Division of Student Affairs' strategic plan, ensuring alignment between divisional objectives and university priorities. The position may also staff and manage committees responsible for monitoring communications and reporting processes that promote transparency and consistency across the division. Additionally, the role leads and coordinates special projects supporting the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, including directing project teams and facilitating collaboration among stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Strategic and Tactical Leadership (30% of job):
  • Strategic Plan Implementation & Alignment:
    • Support execution, monitoring, and reporting of the Division of Student Affairs Strategic Plan.
    • Assist the Assistant Vice President for Strategy & Engagement with the execution, alignment, and reporting of AEO’s strategic plan, the Wave of Opportunity.
    • Coordinate divisional alignment efforts, ensuring unit-level projects and goals connect to divisional and institutional priorities.
    • Develop and maintain tools, dashboards, and track progress toward strategic priorities.
  • Support for the Assistant Vice President for Strategy & Engagement (AVPSE):
    • Serve as the primary project manager for initiatives led by the AVPSE.
    • Prepare reports, presentations, and briefing materials for internal and external stakeholders.
    • Act as a thought partner and provide analysis to advance divisional strategy, engagement, and assessment.
  • Organizational Development & Engagement:
    • Work collaboratively to create templates and toolkits to assist employees and stakeholders in championing the Student Affairs strategic plan and initiatives.
    • Partner with units to foster a culture of innovation, engagement, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
    • Lead change management efforts for new initiatives and organizational improvements.
    • Assist in identifying areas of inefficiency and recommend evidence-based solutions.
• Relationship Building and Collaboration (30% of job):
  • Committee Coordination & Communication:
    • Lead and staff the divisional collective charged with tracking and documenting communications from the Office of Academic Excellence and Opportunity (AEO).
    • Ensure timely and consistent reporting, follow-up, and dissemination of committee findings and updates.
    • Create and maintain processes for archiving communications, decisions, and outcomes for transparency and accountability.
  • Stakeholder Engagement & Communication:
    • Develop and implement strategies for broad stakeholder engagement in divisional planning.
    • Facilitate workshops, retreats, and forums to promote shared understanding and buy-in.
    • Serve as a liaison between divisional leadership and campus partners on strategic initiatives.
    • Collaborate closely with the Director for Marketing and Communication in Student Affairs on division-level communications and projects related to strategic initiatives and goals.
• Special Projects and Professional Development (25% of job):
  • Special Projects:
    • Serve as project lead for designated special initiatives identified by the Vice President or senior leadership (e.g., special events, new strategic partnerships, campus transformation efforts).
    • Coordinate multi-stakeholder project teams, ensuring clarity of purpose, timelines, and deliverables.
    • Assist in facilitating executive briefings, progress reports, and post-implementation reviews.
  • Professional Development & Capacity Building:
    • Create a menu of training and workshop offerings that support students, select student leaders, student employees, and staff, aligned with divisional and institutional priorities, including NTC and AEO.
    • Support the development of staff capacity in areas of strategy, assessment, and transformation.
    • Provide training and consultation on strategic thinking, project management, and continuous improvement.
    • Serve as a coach and resource to staff leading strategic initiatives or complex change efforts.
    • Lead the creation and execution of a Student Affairs-wide professional development day.
• Assessment, Data Analysis & Reporting (10% of job):
  • Collect, analyze, and synthesize data on divisional initiatives, student engagement, and program outcomes through surveys, focus groups, content analysis, literature reviews, and online research.
  • Prepare regular progress reports, annual reports, and ad hoc analyses for senior leadership and stakeholders.
  • Translate complex information into accessible formats for broad audiences (infographics, briefs, dashboards).
• Other Duties as Assigned (5% of job):
  • Represent the Division on institutional committees as requested.
  • Manage special projects and emerging priorities as designated by the AVPSE or senior leadership.
  • Provide supervision to part-time or full-time staff or student employees as needed.
  • Perform other duties as requested or required.

Requirements

• Required Education and Experience:
  • Master’s degree or advanced degree with 5 years as a Student Affairs professional, or
  • Bachelor’s degree with 7 years of relevant experience.
• Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities/Competencies:
  • Excellent interpersonal, writing, and presentation skills; comfortable using multiple media to communicate.
  • Able to work collaboratively and independently in a rapidly changing organization.
• Preferred Qualifications:
  • Demonstrated skills and experience in program planning and implementation, supervision, advising, assessment, and evaluation.
  • Experience in strategic planning, especially in higher education.
  • Comfortable operating in a fast-paced work environment, with demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks and projects effectively.
  • Experience developing, conducting, and evaluating comprehensive education or training programs, with knowledge of leading practices in higher education.
  • Demonstrated success in developing innovative strategies and driving process improvements in the workplace.
  • Experience working with college students, graduate students, and staff on diverse initiatives, situations, or training.
  • Demonstrated experience driving change in an organization through building networks of stakeholders and campus-wide change agents.
  • Ability to manage sensitive situations with tact, professionalism, and care.