Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives & Operations
About The Position
The University of Maine System seeks an experienced and collaborative leader to serve as the Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives and Operations. This position focuses on supporting system and university-level implementation of broad-scale system priorities, employer partnerships, workforce and economic development initiatives, student support efforts, and other strategic opportunities across the University of Maine System. The Executive Director provides senior leadership for the identification, coordination, advancement, and implementation of strategic workforce and academic operations across the University of Maine System. This position serves as a strategist and coordinator for opportunities emerging from educational partnerships, operational priorities, state and federal initiatives, philanthropic investments, workforce needs, and other cross-system initiatives. The Executive Director identifies and operationalizes strategic and academic initiatives, moving them from concept to execution in coordination with the Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives, the Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs, their respective teams, and other System and university leaders. Initiatives within the Executive Director's portfolio may include, but are not limited to, coordination with educational and workforce partners, government agencies, philanthropic organizations, strategic/academic software vendors, and other stakeholders; convening the appropriate university and system leaders; facilitating planning and alignment including coordinating system-wide online education efforts and expanding employer-connected online education opportunities; supporting implementation; monitoring and reporting on progress; and removing technical and/or administrative barriers. The Executive Director serves as the operational bridge between external opportunity development and institutional execution, helping extend the University of Maine System’s reach and expand access to educational opportunities across the state.
Requirements
- Master's degree in higher education, public administration, organizational leadership, business, or a related field.
- Significant progressively responsible leadership experience in higher education administration.
- Experience working across multiple institutions, organizational units, functional areas, or partner organizations within a complex environment.
- Demonstrated success developing and leading complex, cross-functional strategic initiatives involving multiple stakeholders, from concept and planning through implementation.
- Strong understanding of higher education structures, governance processes, organizational operations, and change management.
- Demonstrated experience building and sustaining partnerships with employers, educational partners, government agencies, community organizations, foundations, or other external stakeholders.
- Experience with workforce development, strategic enrollment, student success, academic innovation, economic development, or other initiatives that expand educational access and opportunity.
- Experience with online education, adult learner programming, employer-connected education, or other flexible academic delivery models, including an understanding of the operational and student-support requirements associated with these initiatives.
- Demonstrated ability to advise senior leaders, synthesize complex issues and emerging opportunities, and translate strategic priorities into actionable plans and recommendations.
- Excellent communication, facilitation, project management, analytical, and relationship-building skills, with demonstrated ability to influence, convene, and build consensus among diverse stakeholders.
Nice To Haves
- Doctoral degree in higher education, public administration, organizational leadership, business, or a related field.
- Experience working within a public university system or similarly complex, multi-institutional organization.
- Experience developing or managing grant-funded programs, external partnerships, or other externally supported strategic initiatives.
- Familiarity with state and federal education, workforce, economic development, and public policy initiatives.
Responsibilities
- Provide senior leadership for the identification, coordination, advancement, and implementation of strategic workforce and academic operations.
- Serve as a strategist and coordinator for opportunities emerging from educational partnerships, operational priorities, state and federal initiatives, philanthropic investments, workforce needs, and other cross-system initiatives.
- Identify and operationalize strategic and academic initiatives, moving them from concept to execution.
- Coordinate with educational and workforce partners, government agencies, philanthropic organizations, strategic/academic software vendors, and other stakeholders.
- Convene appropriate university and system leaders.
- Facilitate planning and alignment, including coordinating system-wide online education efforts and expanding employer-connected online education opportunities.
- Support the implementation of strategic initiatives.
- Monitor and report on the progress of initiatives.
- Remove technical and/or administrative barriers to initiative implementation.
- Serve as the operational bridge between external opportunity development and institutional execution.
Benefits
- 13 paid holidays plus earned vacation and sick time
- Health, Dental, and Vision insurance
- Short-term disability insurance and employer-paid long-term disability insurance
- Employer-paid basic life insurance and supplemental life insurance
- Tuition waiver program for employees and their dependents (spouse, domestic partner, and dependent children)
- 403(b) retirement plan with employer contribution
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Executive
