Senior Academic Initiatives Strategist
Job Description
The Senior Academic Initiatives Strategist at WGU operates in a highly dynamic role designed to adapt strategically to evolving team needs. This role drives innovative academic initiatives, supports the university's Key Results, and serves as a trusted advisor to internal and external stakeholders.
Job Duties
Develops and implements innovative solutions to advance academic initiatives.
Leads multiple complex, institution-wide academic strategic planning efforts and high-impact initiatives simultaneously.
Drives necessary change management for successful cross-functional implementation.
Ensures successful implementation and adoption of academic strategic initiatives.
Researches and gathers insights into program and student performance, focusing on supporting access and completion for underserved populations.
Builds and maintains relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.
Collaborates across the university to promote a "student-obsessed" environment.
Provides regular updates on initiative status to senior leaders.
Leads strategic planning for grant opportunities to support academic initiatives.
Oversees the full grant lifecycle, including research, proposal development, and post-award management.
Serves as a subject matter expert in student pathways, skills-based practices, digital credentialing, and work-based learning.
Remains abreast of industry trends in the learn-and-work ecosystem.
Provides mentorship to inspire and develop colleagues.
Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
KSAs
A comprehensive understanding of higher education trends, challenges, and best practices in creating pathways to opportunity for students.
In-depth knowledge of strategic planning and implementation in an academic setting.
Advanced understanding of data-driven innovation and market trends in education.
Thorough knowledge of student success metrics and strategies to improve credential value.
Exceptional strategic thinking and ability to formulate bold, future-oriented visions.
Strong leadership skills, including the ability to inspire, motivate, and build confidence among team members and stakeholders.
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas and strategies to diverse audiences.
Advanced project management and execution skills, ensuring accountability and buy-in across teams.
Superior talent management skills, including hiring, developing, and retaining top performers.
Ability to keep students at the center of decision-making processes and guide efforts to improve value for students and employers.
Capacity to apply broad strategic direction to improve lives at a global scale.
Capability to define and drive success for the whole team, creating a sense of belonging and alignment with organizational mission and culture.
Ability to exemplify and promote high standards of honesty, teamwork, transparency, and accountability.
Capacity to work effectively in ambiguous and fast-paced environments, making tough decisions with incomplete information.
Ability to adapt to and manage change while maintaining focus on long-term goals.
Ability to deliver on commitments and motivate others to action.
Minimum Qualifications
Master's Degree in a related field.
6 years of relevant, progressive experience in higher education, education technology, or related field.
Preferred Qualifications
PhD or Terminal Degree in a related field.
3 years of skills implementation experience.