ASPIRE Chief Strategy Officer
About The Position
Overview The ASPIRE Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) is responsible for organization‑wide strategic planning, execution, and long‑term positioning in support of the organization’s mission and impact goals. Reporting directly to the CEO and working closely with executive leadership and the Board of Directors, the CSO provides high autonomy and authority to shape organizational direction, guide multi‑year priorities, and ensure strategy is effectively translated into measurable outcomes. The CSO leads enterprise‑level planning efforts, oversees cross‑functional strategic initiatives, and monitors performance against long-term objectives. This role serves as a key advisor to the CEO and Board, identifying growth opportunities, emerging risks, and external trends that influence organizational strategy. The CSO plays a central role in aligning programs, engineering, workforce development, and operations around a shared strategic vision, while fostering innovation, adaptability, and continuous improvement. This position is eligible for hybrid work within the state of Utah.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree
- 12–15+ years of progressive experience in strategic leadership, program management, or organizational development
- Demonstrated experience owning organization‑wide strategic planning and execution, including development and implementation of multi‑year strategic plans.
- Proven ability to operate with high autonomy and decision‑making authority, shaping organizational direction and long‑term priorities.
- Track record of translating strategy into measurable outcomes, performance metrics, and execution frameworks.
- Experience working directly with executive leadership and Boards of Directors, including preparation and presentation of strategic plans, analyses, and forecasts.
- Demonstrated leadership of 3+ year planning horizons, including multi‑year initiatives, program roadmaps, and strategic investment planning.
- Proven ability to align strategy with mission, organizational capacity, regulatory environments, and external trends.
- Experience establishing governance and processes that support disciplined strategy development and execution.
- Experience overseeing enterprise‑level strategic initiatives without direct ownership of day‑to‑day operations.
- Proven ability to align diverse functions (e.g., programs, engineering, workforce development, operations) around a shared strategic vision.
- Experience leading or supporting change management initiatives and fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
- Ability to establish accountability mechanisms, milestones, and performance indicators tied to strategic objectives.
- Experience leading or supporting Board and leadership subcommittees focused on strategy, growth, or long‑term planning.
- Experience identifying and evaluating organizational growth opportunities, innovation pathways, or program expansion strategies.
- Demonstrated ability to monitor and synthesize industry trends, funding landscapes, emerging technologies, and policy drivers.
- Experience assessing strategic risks, gaps, and competitive positioning to inform leadership decision‑making.
- Experience facilitating or overseeing strategic partnerships, collaborations, or alliances with external stakeholders.
- Proven ability to represent an organization in strategic discussions with funders, partners, industry leaders, or public‑sector stakeholders.
- Experience ensuring external engagements align with long‑term strategic objectives and mission priorities.
- Experience in nonprofit, research‑driven, university‑affiliated, or mission‑focused organizations.
- Familiarity with federal, state, or industry‑funded environments, including long-term program and partnership planning.
- Experience guiding strategy in technology‑, infrastructure‑, or innovation‑driven organizations.
- Established professional network across industry, government, research, or funding ecosystems relevant to the organization’s mission.
Nice To Haves
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Public Policy or related field is preferred.
- Master’s degree or MBA strongly preferred
- Strategic Management or Executive Leadership certifications
- Project or program management certifications (PMP, PgMP)
Responsibilities
- Develop, communicate, and implement the organization’s long-term strategic plan
- Identify opportunities for organizational growth, innovation, and program expansion
- Oversee strategic initiatives across programs, engineering, workforce development, and operations
- Provide insights and recommendations to the CEO and Board of Directors on strategic decisions
- Lead organizational planning processes, including annual operating plans, multi-year initiatives, and performance metrics
- Align cross-functional teams to ensure strategy execution and organizational priorities are met
- Monitor industry trends, funding opportunities, and emerging technologies relevant to the organization’s mission
- Facilitate strategic partnerships, collaborations, and alliances with external stakeholders
- Support change management initiatives and foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement
- Represent the organization in strategic discussions with funders, partners, and external stakeholders
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Executive
