Assistant Director of Strategic Initiatives: Cultivating Conversation and Dialogue

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Reporting to the Chief of Staff and Assistant Vice President for Strategy and Operations in the Office of the Secretary and Vice President for University Life (OSVPUL), the Assistant Director serves as the program manager for the university-wide Cultivating Conversation initiative and related University Life programming. This position requires a high degree of independence and is responsible for coordinating the operational planning and execution of programs that advance the university's commitment to collaborative excellence and engaging across difference.

The Assistant Director provides day-to-day operational leadership for the initiative, ensuring the successful planning, coordination, and delivery of workshops, events, meetings, and related activities. The role oversees all aspects of program logistics, including venue and vendor coordination, catering, event promotion and communications, registration management, staffing coordination, preparation of program materials, and on-site event execution. The Assistant Director coordinates the logistics and hospitality for external speakers, facilitators, and partner organizations;

serves as the primary operational liaison for campus and external stakeholders; and ensures a high-quality experience for participants and guests.

The Assistant Director supports related committees and working groups, maintains project plans, operational documentation, and budget tracking records, supports purchasing and payment processes, and monitors project timelines to ensure activities remain on schedule. The position assists in the implementation of assessment and evaluation processes, tracks program participation and outcomes, contributes to reports and dashboards, and uses data to support continuous improvement and informed decision-making.

The Assistant Director supervises and coordinates the work of student employees and temporary staff supporting the initiative, providing training, scheduling, and day-to-day direction to ensure high-quality program delivery. Working collaboratively across the university, the Assistant Director develops and implements operational processes that improve efficiency while maintaining a high standard of customer service and attention to detail. The successful candidate will be highly organized, responsive, service-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities simultaneously while anticipating needs, solving problems creatively, and exercising sound judgment in a fast-paced environment.

The Assistant Director may perform other duties as assigned.

• Excellent interpersonal and relationship management skills. Ability to build productive relationships with diverse stakeholders using tact, discretion, diplomacy, and sound judgment while maintaining confidentiality and representing Yale professionally.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills. Ability to prepare reports, correspondence, presentations, and promotional materials, communicate effectively with diverse audiences, and convey information clearly and professionally.
• Demonstrated experience planning and executing meetings, workshops, and events. Strong project management, organizational, and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively, manage multiple projects, improve operational processes, supervise student employees, and exercise initiative, creativity, accountability, and sound judgment in a fast-paced environment.
• Highly responsive, dependable, and service-oriented professional with excellent judgment and integrity. Proficient with Microsoft 365 applications, budget tracking, data collection, and program assessment to support continuous improvement.

• Demonstrated record of project or program management, communications and/or events management and production, particularly in higher education.
• Experience working effectively with faculty, university leaders and administrators, students, and alumni.
• Proven record of accomplishment working with sensitive or confidential information.
• Advanced degree preferred.

• Oversees the advancement and growth of the program. Gives direction and leadership supporting the philosophy, mission, strategy, and annual goals and objectives. Assumes primary accountability for disseminating and publishing all program information to create public awareness and support of the program.
• Works closely with leadership, internal and external colleagues, and community residents to further develop and…