Senior Director of Strategic Operations

American University•Washington, DC

1d•$140,000 - $155,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Director of Strategic Operations serves as a strategic advisor and operational partner to the Chief Operating Officer, advancing the COO’s strategic priorities by establishing the operating cadence, planning frameworks, and performance standards that guide execution across WAMU. Under the direction of the COO, the role works with senior leaders and their organizations to build alignment, implement consistent operating practices, and ensure enterprise initiatives are executed with accountability and measurable results. Through influence, collaboration, and independent judgment, the Director strengthens organizational effectiveness without assuming operational ownership of functional departments. WAMU 88.5 is a public media station owned and operated by American University and provides local, regional, and NPR news and original programs in Washington, DC. The role is full-time, 35 hours per week, with a hybrid work modality requiring 3–4 days per week in the office. The annual salary range is $140,000–$155,000.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
8–10 years of relevant experience.
10+ years of experience in operations, enterprise initiative management, or strategic project leadership.
Demonstrated success advising executive leadership and leading enterprise-wide strategic initiatives that require influence across multiple functions without direct authority.
Expertise in project and portfolio management tools such as Asana, Smartsheet, Monday, or similar.
Strong analytical and synthesis skills, with the ability to translate complexity into clear, actionable plans.
Exceptional communication, facilitation, and executive presentation abilities.
Ability to balance strategic thinking with tactical execution.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
10+ years of relevant experience.

Responsibilities

Lead development and execution of enterprise-wide strategic initiatives tied to the Operating Plan, advising executive leadership on priorities, sequencing, organizational risks, and resource requirements.
Translate organizational strategy into enterprise execution plans, defining priorities, success measures, governance, accountability, organizational outcomes, scope, sponsors, directly responsible individuals, stakeholders, and contributors.
Partner with initiative sponsors and leaders to maintain focus, anticipate challenges, and ensure delivery milestones are met.
Recommend strategic solutions to complex organizational challenges and advise executive leadership on emerging risks, opportunities, and competing priorities.
Design, implement, and continuously improve the enterprise framework governing strategic initiatives, organizational priorities, and interdependencies.
Establish enterprise standards and governance practices for defining, prioritizing, launching, and monitoring strategic initiatives.
Coach leaders and initiative sponsors in enterprise planning disciplines, risk management, and organizational accountability practices.
Lead the organization’s operating rhythm, including enterprise planning, quarterly business reviews, annual planning, executive reporting, and strategic decision support.
Develop executive decision-support materials that synthesize organizational performance, risks, resource needs, and strategic opportunities.
Influence and align executive leaders across Finance, Technology, Advancement, People & Culture, and Content so enterprise priorities are integrated, appropriately resourced, and aligned with organizational strategy.
Serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership, influencing alignment across organizational priorities, governance, and strategic decision making.
Lead resolution of highly complex cross-functional issues requiring executive judgment, organizational consensus, and strategic tradeoff decisions.
Build organizational capability by coaching leaders in strategic execution, accountability, and enterprise collaboration.
Develop the enterprise performance framework and recommend organizational metrics that inform executive decision making and long-term strategic planning.
Identify systemic organizational risks, emerging trends, and operational opportunities, and recommend executive actions to improve organizational effectiveness.
Lead continuous improvement efforts that strengthen enterprise operating practices, organizational effectiveness, and strategic execution.