Director for Strategic Initiatives

NYU • New York, NY

1d • $140,000 - $180,000

About The Position

New York University (NYU) seeks a highly motivated and experienced Director for Strategic Initiatives to join its Project Management Office (PMO), working closely with the Strategy and Integration Team (SIT) in the Office of the President. This pivotal role will provide critical strategic advisory and problem-solving expertise directly to the Office of the President and Office of the Provost. The successful candidate will leverage a management consulting skill set to address complex and multifaceted institutional challenges. The position emphasizes upstream strategic analysis and advisory work rather than hands-on project execution or enterprise systems implementation. The individual will excel at bringing clarity to ambiguous situations, from the conceptualization and framing of strategic priorities and projects to actively help drive their successful advancement. They will be responsible for conducting rigorous analysis, collaborating with diverse stakeholders to define actionable strategies, and providing ongoing strategic guidance and support to ensure initiatives move forward effectively. These efforts will support the University's overarching Strategic Pathways and require an exceptional blend of analytical capabilities, a nuanced understanding of higher education institutions, and the ability to navigate intricate, multi-stakeholder environments with diplomacy and discretion.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in management, public administration, higher education, social sciences, psychology, computational sciences, engineering, humanities, or a related field.
• 7+ years of experience in a strategic consulting role in a reputable management consulting firm or demonstrated experience advising higher education clients or advancing significant strategic projects within complex university environments, with specific familiarity in the following areas such as: Institutional governance and shared decision-making processes.
• Student lifecycle management.
• Global program development and innovation.
• Cross-functional strategy development and implementation.
• Proven ability to operate effectively in ambiguous situations; define clear objectives from broad concepts; and drive progress in dynamic, multi-stakeholder settings.
• Strategic and analytical acumen. Exceptional analytical, conceptual, and problem-solving skills, with a demonstrated ability to break down complex issues, identify core drivers, and develop creative, data-driven solutions. Comfort with ambiguity and a proven ability to bring structure to complex challenges.
• Consulting and facilitation skills. Expertise in core management consulting methodologies, including hypothesis generation, data synthesis, stakeholder mapping, and workshop facilitation. Ability to guide groups through complex discussions and achieve alignment.
• Interpersonal and influencing skills. Superior interpersonal skills with a proven ability to build strong relationships, influence without direct authority, and manage expectations across all levels of an organization.
• Communication excellence. Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to develop and deliver clear, concise, and persuasive presentations to executive-level audiences.
• Diplomacy and discretion. High degree of political savvy, diplomacy, and discretion, capable of navigating intricate organizational dynamics and maintaining confidentiality regarding strategic initiatives.
• Resilience and tenacity. Demonstrated resilience, patience, and tenacity in driving complex initiatives forward within large, consensus-driven institutions.
• Problem-solving mindset. Clear-headed, curious, and objective approach to problem-solving, with an understanding that solutions often extend beyond technological fixes to encompass organizational, process, and cultural considerations.
• Technical proficiency. Advanced proficiency with standard business software (e.g., Google Workspace, Microsoft Office Suite).

Nice To Haves

• 7+ years of direct employment experience within a large, complex university setting, providing firsthand insight into academic culture, operational complexities, and key stakeholder navigation.

Responsibilities

• Conducting rigorous analysis
• Collaborating with diverse stakeholders to define actionable strategies
• Providing ongoing strategic guidance and support to ensure initiatives move forward effectively

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees