Associate Director, Strategic Operations and Executive Initiatives

Arizona State University•Tempe, AZ

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the administrative direction of the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (EVP & COO), and the direct supervision of the Associate Vice President and Chief of Staff, the Associate Director, Strategic Operations and Executive Initiatives provides high-impact operational, project, and executive support for priority initiatives within the Office of the COO. The role coordinates cross-unit workstreams, supports strategic planning activities, develops executive-ready documents, and ensures disciplined follow-through on key deliverables with time sensitive deadlines.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree and five (5) years of experience appropriate to the area of assignment/field; OR, Any equivalent combination of experience and training from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.
Knowledge of administrative operations and practices in a complex, matrixed environment.
Knowledge of strategic planning principles and practices.
Knowledge of project management.
Skill in planning, prioritization, and managing multiple concurrent deliverables with accuracy and urgency.
Skill in project coordination and improving processes to increase operational efficiency.
Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to produce concise, executive-ready work products.
Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships across internal and external partners.
Ability to work effectively amid changing priorities, time constraints, and occasionally competing interests.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting executive leadership in a complex organization (higher education strongly preferred).
Demonstrated success coordinating cross-functional projects with multiple stakeholders and tight deadlines.
Exceptional writing and editing skills producing executive-ready documents and communications.
Demonstrated discretion handling sensitive information and relationships.
Strong judgment, reliability, and comfort working in a fast-moving, high-visibility environment.

Responsibilities

Coordinate cross-unit efforts to ensure continuity and alignment across university functions; elevate risks, dependencies, and decisions needed.
Support high-level meetings and planning sessions by preparing materials, coordinating inputs, capturing notes, and monitoring follow-through to completion.
Provide structured inputs to strategic planning processes as assigned by the EVP & COO and/or AVP & Chief of Staff.
Prepare concise summaries of decisions, next steps, and action owners for leadership review.
Develop complex internal and external communications and executive-ready materials (e.g., briefing memos, remarks, speeches, presentations, reports, analyses, talking points, meeting summaries, and select social media drafts).
Coordinate drafting and review cycles with campus partners to ensure accuracy, alignment, and consistency of messaging.
Conduct basic quantitative and qualitative analysis to inform recommendations.
Coordinate sensitive internal and external engagement efforts and maintain productive working relationships with university leaders and ASU Pubic Enterprise partners.
Serve as an Office of the COO liaison for selected priority areas assigned by leadership to support coordination, communications, and follow-through.
Track and synthesize major trends in higher education and institutional policy; produce short executive-level summaries to inform leadership decisions.
Support rapid-response research and background preparation for executive meetings and communications.
Advance strategic coordination of international initiatives including but not limited to India, the MENA region, and ASU’s global education partnerships via Cintana Education.
Use tact, discretion, and confidentiality during work with C-Suite executives and high-level officials from corporations, government, military, universities, and industry.
Supervise and mentor student employee(s) supporting the Office of the COO, including work assignment, coaching, and quality control of work products.
Represent the Office of the COO on committees, working groups, and internal forums as assigned.
Manage records and compile data for reports, including value-added analysis as requested.
Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.