Director of Strategy & Analysis – Arts & Sciences

Tufts University•Medford, MA

18h

About The Position

Tufts University’s School of Arts and Sciences (A&S) is seeking a Director of Strategy & Analysis to serve as a trusted strategic partner to the Executive Administrative Dean (EAD) and the Dean’s Office. This role leads strategic initiative planning, analysis, and decision-support efforts for Tufts’ largest and most complex school, supporting academic, administrative, and operational priorities across multiple campuses and entities. The School of Arts and Sciences is Tufts University’s largest school, comprising undergraduate programs, the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS), and studio art programs through the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts (SMFA at Tufts). The A&S Dean’s Office oversees academic departments and programs, student services, administrative units, and facilities across two campuses. Within the Dean’s Office, the Executive Administrative Dean’s (EAD) Office is responsible for financial oversight, strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources, and facilities planning across A&S, GSAS, SMFA at Tufts, and the AS&E Shared Division.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree
At least 7 years of related professional experience, including demonstrated experience leading complex, cross‑functional initiatives and providing strategic analysis to senior leaders.
Strong financial, business, and strategic analysis skills, including business case development, ROI analysis, and KPI development.
Excellent critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
Proven ability to synthesize data into clear, executive-ready written and verbal recommendations.
Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced setting.
Superior communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively across diverse stakeholders and senior leadership.
High level of professionalism, discretion, empathy, and ability to handle confidential information.
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint

Nice To Haves

Experience working in or with higher education institutions.
Background in management consulting, strategy, or operations consulting.
Experience with change management and project implementation.
Prior experience managing teams or leading project-based staff.
Experience with project management tools

Responsibilities

Lead and manage complex, cross-functional strategic initiatives in partnership with the Executive Administrative Dean, the Dean’s Office, and academic and administrative leadership.
Own the full initiative lifecycle, including scoping, planning, analysis, stakeholder engagement, implementation strategy, and execution.
Develop project plans, timelines, governance structures, and communication materials to support effective decision-making and implementation.
Lead and/or oversee strategic, financial, and business analyses to support recurring and ad hoc leadership decisions.
Develop scopes and analytical frameworks, including key performance indicators (KPIs), dashboards, and decision-support reports.
Provide strategic financial insight, business review, and budgetary decision support for a portfolio of programs and initiatives within the Dean’s Office.
Serve as a key advisor to the Executive Administrative Dean on strategy, operations, and business processes.
Develop high-quality executive-level materials that synthesize complex findings into clear, actionable recommendations.
Present analyses and recommendations to senior leaders and other executive audiences.
Build and maintain strong relationships with academic leaders, administrators, and university partners.
Represent the Dean’s Office on university-wide committees and initiatives, as needed.
Identify opportunities to improve processes, workflows, and decision-making practices, supporting continuous improvement across the organization.
Lead and coordinate teams supporting priority initiatives, including analysts and project staff, as applicable.
Balance individual contribution with leadership of teams and workstreams in a dynamic, deadline-driven environment.