Assistant Director, Strategy and Planning

Virginia Tech•Blacksburg, VA

About The Position

Put your passion for public service to work by guiding transformative safety initiatives at Virginia Tech. Help us build a proactive, resilient, and community‑centered approach to campus security. Virginia Tech is committed to fostering a safe and secure environment for our students, faculty, staff, and visitors. The Public Safety Division plays a crucial role in upholding this commitment by providing innovative safety solutions, emergency response planning, and proactive community engagement. Comprised of the Police Department, Environmental Health & Safety, the Office of Emergency Management, and the Virginia Tech Rescue Squad, we are committed to fostering a safe and supportive environment for all students, faculty, staff, and visitors that maximizes everyone’s opportunity for success. Through collaboration, dedication, training, and community engagement, we strive to provide a comprehensive and responsive approach to our public safety programs. Our mission of advancing safety, security, health and preparedness is anchored by the Virginia Tech Principles of Community. These fundamental values: mutual respect, civility, and service, are foundational to our programs and are exemplified in our interactions with the campus community. The Assistant Director of Strategy and Planning provides policy management, program development, strategic planning, and project implementation for the Division of Public Safety. This is accomplished through coordination with internal university stakeholders and external government agencies and community organizations, leading strategic initiatives within the division and managing collaborative projects that reach across the enterprise. The Assistant Director is responsible for the review and analysis of current processes and coordination of organizational procedures for optimized efficiency, productivity, and effective responsiveness in existing operations, and help to define new operational strategies, working with the Public Safety team on special projects and initiatives. The incumbent also supports university safety and security through policy management, including the review and analysis of current university policies and operations, and makes recommendations for public safety policy or procedure changes with justifications. Duties may require the incumbent to respond to emergencies after hours, and work extended hours on site, possibly under difficult and trying circumstances; observe and record details relating to potential and actual hazards and/or emergencies. The incumbent also performs other duties as requested; takes initiative to support a healthy work environment; strives to fulfill the terms in the Standards of Business Conduct; exemplifies the Virginia Tech Principles of Community; and supports the university’s motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve).

Requirements

Advanced degree in a public safety field, public policy or business administration, urban planning, or a bachelor's degree in a related field of study with work experience that equates to an advanced degree.
Experience leading and planning strategic initiatives.
Proactive leaderships skills and ability to cultivate teams.
Ability to work independently to develop and implement comprehensive strategies that align with the university’s mission and respond to the evolving public safety landscape.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, staff, public officials, civic and community groups, and the public.
Ability to prepare technical documents, reports and grant proposals.
Ability to multitask, prioritize and work with minimal direction and supervision.
Strong understanding of organizational planning processes and technologies with the ability to draft, implement and improve broad-based, practical and effective organizational plans.
Adept at navigating complex business processes and management challenges.
An experienced team player with the ability to collaborate with a variety of partners.
Excellent interpersonal skills, with a demonstrated ability to engage with various stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

Significant years of experience working in a public safety organization, emergency response, or related field, preferably in a higher education environment.
Experience in the higher education sector, working for or with public agencies.
Experience in or direct programming support for one or more of the following campus safety areas: Emergency Management, Law Enforcement, Rescue Services, and Environmental Health & Safety.
Experience in developing, implementing, delivering and coordinating complex projects in a higher education environment
Experience in building and managing teams to craft solutions to emerging public safety issues and challenges.
Strong understanding and working application of policy, governance, and industry best practices.
Proven leadership skills with the ability to build consensus and motivate diverse teams.
Ability to collect, organize, retain, analyze and produce information related to data, metrics and benchmarking.
Very versatile, able to manage multiple projects, set goals and deliverables to complete tasks efficiently and effectively.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including making effective presentations to groups.
Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and professionalism.

Responsibilities

policy management
program development
strategic planning
project implementation for the Division of Public Safety
coordination with internal university stakeholders and external government agencies and community organizations
leading strategic initiatives within the division and managing collaborative projects that reach across the enterprise
review and analysis of current processes and coordination of organizational procedures for optimized efficiency, productivity, and effective responsiveness in existing operations
define new operational strategies, working with the Public Safety team on special projects and initiatives
supports university safety and security through policy management, including the review and analysis of current university policies and operations, and makes recommendations for public safety policy or procedure changes with justifications
respond to emergencies after hours
work extended hours on site, possibly under difficult and trying circumstances
observe and record details relating to potential and actual hazards and/or emergencies
performs other duties as requested
takes initiative to support a healthy work environment
strives to fulfill the terms in the Standards of Business Conduct
exemplifies the Virginia Tech Principles of Community
supports the university’s motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve)