Director, Strategy and Innovation

Special Olympics•, DC

9d•$90,950 - $107,100•Remote

About The Position

Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools® is an education-based strategy for schools Pre-K through college that intentionally promotes social inclusion by bringing together students with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities to create accepting school environments. The Director of Strategy and Innovation is a key member of the Insight, Innovation, and Impact Division on the Special Olympics North America Unified Champion Schools team (SONA UCS). This Division is responsible for collecting and synthesizing data to produce actionable insights for the SONA UCS department and U.S. Programs. The Director will work closely with functional areas and Divisions across the SONA UCS Department and wider SONA region, while also managing a portfolio of up to 8 U.S. Programs with the highest support needs to ensure the sustainable growth and quality implementation of Unified Champion Schools in the U.S. This position will be required to travel occasionally throughout the year.

Requirements

7-10 years of relevant work experience, with the majority in a senior management or director role
Experience leading a team and navigating a multilayered organization
Experience with providing technical assistance and support
Strong interpersonal and communication skills
Strong data analysis and synthesis skills
Experiencing summarizing data into actionable insights and strategy recommendations
Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 apps and Smartsheet
Ability to work effectively with individuals from a range of cultures and professional backgrounds
Ability to work independently, in project teams, and in hybrid or remote work environments
Must represent the organization in professional manner

Nice To Haves

Previous experience with Special Olympics
Understanding of disability, education/special education, and/or youth programming
Interest in travel for Program support site visits, meetings, conferences, or other events (this position will be required to travel 5-8 times per year)
Experience integrating and managing data from multiple sources
Experience giving virtual and/or in-person presentations (webinars, conferences, )
Interest in inclusion and sports

Responsibilities

Serve as the Strategy and Innovation functional area lead responsible for that team’s strategic decision-making and development
With the Director of Research and Evaluation, maintain standard operating procedures for the Strategy and Innovation functional area, including purpose and responsibilities, organizing and sharing information, connecting information across systems and sources, Train SI Regional Managers on these procedures and maintain buy-in.
With Director of Research and Evaluation, lead the team in the collection, tracking, and analysis of Program data to identify trends, gaps and innovative opportunities and serve as strategic thought partners with UCS Program staff.
With Director of Research and Evaluation, track, monitor, and lead the implementation of assigned strategic plan strategies and drivers
With Director of Research and Evaluation, synthesize national UCS trends and opportunities to inform the management team’s strategic planning efforts, outcomes, and goals, and the UCS Standards of Excellence.
Maintain and update the UCS Department’s Program quality tool “UCS Standards of ” Develop a consultation process and lead the Strategy and Innovation team in the provision of consultative support to U.S. Programs following their completion of the tool
With Director of Research and Evaluation, create timely data analysis and trend report summaries for the Office of Special Education Programs, SONA UCS, and SONA leadership team.
Lead and participate in webinars, trainings, and meetings that promote and advance UCS content and outcomes.
Assist with and help manage the migration and accuracy of data to customer relationship management (CRM) platform.
Work closely with the Director, Applied Research and Knowledge Translation and the Data Management Specialist to synthesize research and evaluation outcomes and internal monitoring data; help translate findings into strategic deliverables
Lead efforts to develop and maintain the UCS team’s Program Support strategy framed around the UCS Standards of Excellence
Manage a portfolio of up to 8 S. Programs including holding monthly calls, fielding and triaging support questions, logging calls and meeting notes in the department’s systems, etc.
Serve as the “subject matter expert” of the Programs in the Director’s portfolio by understanding each Program’s specific UCS goals, strategies, activities, and outcomes.
Represent the Insight, Innovation, and Impact Division for the development and updates on Program facing platforms.
With Director of Research and Evaluation, identify and develop processes and procedures to enhance team effectiveness and efficiencies, collaboration among UCS and SONA team members, and achievement of UCS goals and outcomes
Establish effective communication strategies that promote positive and productive relationships with U.S. Programs and SONA staff. Serve in cross-functional strategic role with Learning and Development and Program Development functional area leads
Represent functional area in cross-functional strategic role and projects
In partnerships with Senior Manager of Grant Administration & Reporting, lead the development and execution of the annual subaward grant application and grant reporting materials
Review applications for subaward recommendations in addition to monitoring monthly, midterm, and final reporting to ensure requirements are met
Supervise and support the Strategy and Innovation Regional Managers (east, central, west)
Approve direct reports’ time off, time sheets, travel, and expense reports
Develop direct reports’ annual goals and monitor progress
Complete annual performance reviews for direct reports
Serve as the UCS relationship manager to the Director, Organizational Development within the SONA Organizational Development department