Director of Executive Strategy, Financial Planning, and Organizational Development

Job Description:

Reports To:

Dean, School of Education and Human Development Position Summary This position functions as the integrative hub of the Dean’s office, bringing together budget oversight, operational leadership, and executive coordination. It ensures that strategy is translated into execution and that the Dean’s priorities are aligned, tracked, and advanced across the School.” This individual serves as a strategic partner to the Dean, responsible for aligning the School’s financial planning, operational systems, faculty processes, and organizational culture with the Dean’s vision and institutional priorities.

This role bridges strategy and execution, ensuring that the Dean’s agenda is effectively advanced through disciplined planning, coordinated action, and strong organizational infrastructure. The Director operates at a high level of trust and discretion, managing the flow of information, priorities, and initiatives across the School while strengthening systems that support faculty success and organizational effectiveness.

Core Responsibilities:

Executive Strategy & Dean’s Office Leadership Serve as a principal strategic partner to the Dean, supporting prioritization, decision-making, and execution of key initiatives

Manage and optimize the Dean’s leadership workflow, including high-level calendar strategy, meeting prioritization, and information flow Prepare briefings, synthesize complex information, and identify key issues to support effective executive decision-making

Ensure timely follow-through on leadership decisions, strategic initiatives, and key communications

Serve as the primary liaison to the School’s Board of Advisors, coordinating engagement, preparing briefing materials, organizing meetings, and translating advisory input into strategic and operational recommendations

Coordinate across internal and external stakeholders on behalf of the Dean to ensure alignment and momentum

Financial Strategy & Resource Planning Lead the School’s annual budget development and ongoing financial planning in collaboration with the Dean and leadership team Monitor financial performance, develop projections, and provide strategic recommendations

Align resource allocation with academic priorities, strategic initiatives, and long-term sustainability

Develop clear, actionable financial reports and insights to inform leadership decisions

Strategic Operations & Organizational Effectiveness Design, implement, and continuously improve operational systems and workflows across the Dean’s office and School Identify inefficiencies and develop scalable, transparent processes that support clarity and accountability

Coordinate cross-functional operations to ensure seamless execution of academic and administrative priorities

Establish systems for tracking progress, managing initiatives, and ensuring organizational alignment

Support the implementation of the school’s strategic priorities

Provide data-informed insights to guide continuous improvement and strategic decision-making

Faculty Lifecycle & Academic Process Leadership Oversee and coordinate faculty-related processes, including:

Search and recruitment coordination

Onboarding and orientation

Appointment and contract processes

Support for promotion, evaluation, and review cycles

Serve as a central liaison between the Dean’s office, department chairs, and faculty committees

Ensure processes are equitable, consistent, and clearly communicated

Organizational Development & Culture Support a high-functioning, mission-driven organizational culture aligned with the School’s values

Partner with leadership to strengthen communication, collaboration, and role clarity across the School Promote systems and practices that foster accountability, transparency, and trust

Qualifications:

Required:

Master’s degree or 10 + years equivalent experience in executive administration, business, organizational leadership, or related field5+years of progressively responsible experience in operations, finance, administration, or organizational leadership (preferably in higher education)
Demonstrated experience in budget management and financial planning

Experience coordinating complex,…