Director of Strategic Projects and Engagement

Director of Strategic Projects and Engagement

New Orleans, LA, United States

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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, who serves as the liaison with AEO, 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 position provides leadership for the implementation, monitoring, and assessment of the Division of Student Affairs' strategic plan, ensuring alignment between divisional objectives and university priorities. Responsibilities include overseeing project management activities for divisional initiatives, coordinating cross-functional teams, tracking progress toward established outcomes, and evaluating the effectiveness of strategic efforts. The position may also staff and manage committees responsible for monitoring communications and reporting processes that promote transparency and consistency across the division.

In addition, the position leads and coordinates special projects that support the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs. This includes directing project teams composed of professional staff and students, facilitating collaboration among stakeholders, and ensuring successful project execution. The incumbent also coordinates and, when appropriate, develops professional development opportunities that promote continuous learning, enhance organizational effectiveness, and align with best practices in higher education.

These efforts may include collaboration with AEO and Human Resources to deliver training and development opportunities for staff, student leaders, student organizations, and the broader student population.

• 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 with creating resources for employees and stakeholders that empowers them to be champions of the Student Affairs strategic plan and strategic 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 when appropriate.

    • 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 the execution of strategic initiatives and goals.

• Special Projects and Professional Development (25% of job):
  • Special…