Director for Strategic Initiatives

Position Summary

The Director of Strategic Initiatives is a pivotal leadership role responsible for driving critical projects that advance the university's core priorities. Lead solution design and recommendation development, collaborating closely with senior leadership across academic and administrative units to craft innovative and actionable strategic frameworks. Partner with the PMO to ensure the successful implementation of key initiatives, maintaining momentum and overcoming obstacles. Synthesize complex information into compelling reports and presentations for the President, Provost, and other senior decision-makers. Build consensus and foster collaboration among diverse groups of stakeholders.

Qualifications

Required Education:Bachelor's Degree in management, public administration, higher education, social sciences, psychology, computational sciences, engineering, humanities, or a related field Required Experience:7+ years of experience in a strategic consulting role in a reputable management consulting firm or demonstrated experience advising higher education clients or advancing significant strategic projects within complex university environments, with specific familiarity in the following areas such as: • Institutional governance and shared decision-making processes. • Student lifecycle management. • Global program development and innovation. • Cross-functional strategy development and implementation. Preferred Experience:7+ years of direct employment experience within a large, complex university setting, providing firsthand insight into academic culture, operational complexities, and key stakeholder navigation. Required Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:• Proven ability to operate effectively in ambiguous situations; define clear objectives from broad concepts; and drive progress in dynamic, multi-stakeholder settings. • Strategic and analytical acumen. Exceptional analytical, conceptual, and problem-solving skills, with a demonstrated ability to break down complex issues, identify core drivers, and develop creative, data-driven solutions. Comfort with ambiguity and a proven ability to bring structure to complex challenges. • Consulting and facilitation skills. Expertise in core management consulting methodologies, including hypothesis generation, data synthesis, stakeholder mapping, and workshop facilitation. Ability to guide groups through complex discussions and achieve alignment. • Interpersonal and influencing skills. Superior interpersonal skills with a proven ability to build strong relationships, influence without direct authority, and manage expectations across all levels of an organization. • Communication excellence. Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to develop and deliver clear, concise, and persuasive presentations to executive-level audiences. • Diplomacy and discretion. High degree of political savvy, diplomacy, and discretion, capable of navigating intricate organizational dynamics and maintaining confidentiality regarding strategic initiatives. Resilience and tenacity. Demonstrated resilience, patience, and tenacity in driving complex initiatives forward within large, consensus-driven institutions. • Problem-solving mindset. Clear-headed, curious, and objective approach to problem-solving, with an understanding that solutions often extend beyond technological fixes to encompass organizational, process, and cultural considerations. • Technical proficiency. Advanced proficiency with standard business software (e.g., Google Workspace, Microsoft Office Suite).

Additional Information

In compliance with NYC's Pay Transparency Act, the annual base salary range for this position is USD $140,000.00 to USD $180,000.00. New York University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as, market and organizational considerations when extending an offer. This pay range represents base pay only and excludes any additional items such as incentives, bonuses, clinical compensation, or other items. NYU aims to be among the greenest urban campuses in the country and carbon neutral by 2040. Learn more at nyu.edu/nyugreen.NYU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to a policy of equal treatment and opportunity in every aspect of its recruitment and hiring process without regard to age, alienage, caregiver status, childbirth, citizenship status, color, creed, disability, domestic violence victim status, ethnicity, familial status, gender and/or gender identity or expression, marital status, military status, national origin, parental status, partnership status, predisposing genetic characteristics, pregnancy, race, religion, reproductive health decision making, sex, sexual orientation, unemployment status, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis. All interested persons are encouraged to apply at all levels.