Director of Planning and Strategy

Job Description

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Job Summary:

The Director of Planning and Strategy advances the institution's strategic priorities and supports the Office of the President. Reporting to the Vice President of Planning and Strategy, the Director partners closely with the Vice President and Chief of Staff, the President, senior leaders, and colleagues across the College to lead complex, cross-functional projects and institutional planning processes.
 

The Director helps translate institutional priorities into action, moving initiatives from concept through execution. This includes conducting research and complex analyses; developing high-quality written and visual materials to support institutional planning and decision-making; and leading the development and pursuit of external funding opportunities, including foundation and government support, for core College priorities. The position requires the ability to work independently, navigate complex institutional issues, and lead through collaboration and influence across multiple areas of the College.

The hiring range for this position is: $94,000 - $110,000.

Essential Functions

To be successful in this position, an individual should be able to perform the essential duties and bring the education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities that support the role. This list of duties is intended to be representative rather than exhaustive, and additional responsibilities may be assigned as needed.

Strategic Planning and Institutional Initiatives

• In consultation with the President, Vice President of Planning and Strategy, Vice President and Chief of Staff, lead College-wide strategic initiatives, including developing work plans, coordinating stakeholders, establishing timelines and deliverables, tracking progress, and helping drive projects through to completion.

• Serve as a strategic partner to senior leadership on initiatives and projects, providing analysis, recommendations, and regular updates to help advance institutional priorities.
• Conduct research, benchmarking, analysis, and planning studies to inform institutional priorities, evaluate opportunities, and support decision making.

External Funding Development and Institutional Research

• Lead the development and pursuit of external funding opportunities, including foundation and government support, in partnership with Advancement, the Office of Sponsored Programs & Scholarship, the President and senior leadership, and other stakeholders.
• Research and assess external funding opportunities, develop proposals and supporting materials, coordinate internal input, support relationships with external funding partners, and manage related timelines and follow up.

Executive Communications and Collaboration

• Draft, edit, design, and curate reports, presentations, briefing materials, decision documents, and other written and visual materials for the President, senior leadership, and Board of Trustees.
• Facilitate and participate in meetings, committees, and planning processes; represent the Office of the President and other senior leadership on assigned matters at campus meetings and with external organizations and agencies.
• Develop and maintain productive and effective working relationships with faculty, staff, students, alumni, external partners, and other members of the College community.

Position Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
• Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in strategic planning, higher education administration, project or program management, institutional strategy, external funding development, consulting, public policy, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex projects or initiatives involving multiple stakeholders and organizational units.
• Demonstrated experience conducting research and analysis and translating findings into actionable recommendations.
• Experience developing high level written materials, presentations, proposals, or executive communications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced Degree preferred.
• Experience working in higher education or another complex, mission driven organization.
• Experience developing successful foundation, government, or other external funding proposals.
• Experience supporting senior executives, governing boards, or institutional strategic planning processes.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Exceptional strategic thinking, analytical, and problem solving skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and executive communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex initiatives through collaboration and influence rather than direct authority.
• Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple high priority initiatives simultaneously.
• Ability to synthesize complex information and communicate clear recommendations to senior level audiences.
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to build effective relationships across organizational levels and functional areas.
• Ability to exercise a high degree of discretion, judgment, diplomacy, and professionalism when handling sensitive institutional matters.

Physical/Mental Demands

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform essential functions of this position and/or may be encountered while performing essential functions.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• To perform this role effectively, an employee is expected to handle employee information, documents, and sensitive matters with care, professionalism, and respect for privacy.
• This position involves working with a variety of timelines, including some that require quick turnaround and responsiveness to urgent needs.
• In this role, the employee will interact with members of the public and others in a variety of situations and conversations. Presenting oneself in a professional, respectful, and thoughtful manner at all times is an important part of the role.
• This position includes regular movement throughout office spaces, hallways, meeting rooms, and other campus locations.
• Daily work will involve extended use of a computer, including keyboard and mouse
• Physical requirements differ by position. In general, most roles involve lifting up to 10 pounds regularly, with some positions requiring occasional lifting of up to 35 pounds.
• Vision requirements for this position include the ability to see clearly at close and far distances and to adjust focus as needed.
• The work environment is dynamic and engaging, often involving multiple tasks and projects that require shifting focus and strong organizational skills..
• The noise level is generally moderate; however, there may be occasional moments of louder  sounds depending on campus activity.

Colby College supports the Americans with Disabilities Act and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.