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Overview

The Tufts Office of University Strategy and Program Development (OUSPD) tackles the most interesting and pressing challenges in higher education through critical strategic planning, advisory, and analytical support. OUSPD serves the University as a partner to Tufts’ schools and the central administration in the identification and development of mission-related opportunities that transform the University’s model for sustainable success in the 21st century higher education ecosystem. We achieve this mission by providing business analysis and project management expertise for transformational strategic initiatives (often serving as an internal consulting agency), by providing best-in-class market research and business analysis to the Tufts community, by partnering with schools and units across the university to build strategic portfolios of educational programs, and by supporting the university’s strategic planning processes and the cultivation of a strategic mindset in all areas of the institution. Led by an Executive Director, OUSPD reports to the Executive Vice President and works closely with the Office of the Provost in establishing and implementing its priorities.

What You'll Do

The University Strategic Initiatives Officer plays a critical role in implementing and executing processes, projects, and initiatives that will advance the mission and strategic goals of OUSPD. Works closely with the Executive Director and the rest of the OUSPD team, key members of the Offices of the Executive Vice President and of the Provost, as well as executive stakeholders and staff from across the university on the implementation of the University’s annual Strategy and Planning process and related efforts, key university briefing documents, as well as other strategic initiatives. Drives process management, shepherds special projects, manages relationships across the university, and strives to add value and continually improve OUSPD support.

Essential Functions: 

• Provides leadership and support to the Executive Director in facilitating, managing and implementing key strategic initiatives including, but not limited to the University’s Annual Strategy and Planning process, the strategic investments process, VP-EAD feedback cycles, and priority alignment efforts, as well as other strategic initiatives undertaken by OUSPD.
• Identifies appropriate benchmarks and deliverables around strategic initiatives; develops, implements, monitors, and/or manages workflow and process, and tracks progress to verify activities are running smoothly and appropriate follow-up actions are taken to achieve timely and successful completion. May maintain meeting minutes to confirm clarity among participants and ensures action items are executed
• Utilizes data to inform strategy development and ensures metrics of success (KPIs) are part of the implementation design. Contributes to efforts to improve data collection and reporting by partnering with data owners to be able to understand, have a command of, and systematize reporting related to relevant data. Develops briefing documents that are both quantitative and qualitative to support and contextualize strategic initiatives, seeking out and interpreting data sets and completing research as needed.
• Identifies and includes cross university stakeholders with regards to strategic initiatives and ensures there is formal and informal communication, consensus-building, and coordination around particular initiatives so that OUSPD can leverage and maximize its efforts. This includes both within and outside of OUSPD.
• Drives special projects or initiatives from inception to implementation that meet OUSPD’s and the University’s short-term objectives and long-term strategic vision; creates processes to streamline management. May provide support to the Director of Strategic Transformation or the Director of Strategy and Analysis in doing the same on specific strategic initiatives.
• Acts as a strategic thought partner to the Executive Director and other OUSPD leaders in all areas of their jobs. Provides direct support to the Executive Director, regularly revisiting EVP and OUSPD strategic priorities and initiatives and evaluating progress.
• Partners and develops strong working relationships across OUSPD, the Offices of the Executive Vice President and of the Provost, and the schools and units of Tufts University to enable leadership success. Produces high quality reports, presentations, and communications of all kinds for University and external audiences.

What We're Looking For

Basic Requirements:

• Knowledge and skills as typically acquired through completion of Master’s degree and 5-7 years of work experience
• Excellent organizational, analytical, interpersonal, project-management, and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication skills – especially the ability to write, compile reports, presentations, speeches, etc. that are well pitched to purpose and audience
• Ability to think strategically and lead initiatives
• Ability to demonstrate a high-level of diplomacy in persuading and influencing a wide variety of people at various levels to achieve results
• Ability to request, interpret, and complete basic analysis on data, asking strategic questions to ensure understanding and applicability
• Engaging interpersonal skills; ability to work with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community
• Experience with anticipating needs, taking initiative, working independently or collaboratively as needed, and handling multiple high-priority projects simultaneously
• Thrives in a fast-paced environment and works well under pressure, demonstrating persistence, perseverance, and integrity
• Ability to manage a wide range of sensitive issues that require confidentiality and discretion
• Excellent skill with MS Word and Powerpoint; ability to manipulate excel and general familiarity with data reporting software such as Tableau

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proven track record of effectively interacting with senior management
• Education/Experience: 3-5 years of experience in higher education

Pay Range

Minimum $91,100.00, Midpoint $113,900.00, Maximum $136,700.00

Salary is based on related experience, expertise, and internal equity; generally, new hires can expect pay between the minimum and midpoint of the range.