Manager of Strategic Initiatives & Staff Liaison to the Board of Trustees

Manager of Strategic Initiatives & Staff Liaison to the Board of Trustees

Providence, RI

Reporting formally to the President and working in deep collaboration with the Senior Team, the Manager of Strategic Initiatives & Staff Liaison to the Board is responsible for advancing a wide range of high level matters and activities. These activities include but are not limited to: partnering with the Senior Team and collaborating across the College to actively drive the Strategic Plan forward; building an atmosphere of care, coordination, and clarity across the College to advance CU’s mission & vision; developing high level reports and presentations, and overseeing the co-authoring of reports to accreditors, State agencies, and other key stakeholders; representing the Senior Team with various College and community constituencies, and acting as Board Liaison and coordinate activities across Board Committees and provide staff support for the Executive Committee of the Board As Staff Liaison to the Board, the individual must be able to hold sensitive information in confidence, and provide comprehensive support to the Chair of the Board, the Board of Trustees, and board committee. The Staff Liaison is also responsible for coordinating board meetings, event planning involving the board, and maintenance of records and executive decisions. In addition, the Manager of Strategic Initiatives and Staff Liaison to the Board provides programmatic support to the vice presidents, and may also assist other offices within the College on assigned projects on an as-needed basis.

Duties and Responsibilities:
• Participate with the Senior Team on strategic planning and related implementation efforts affecting major segments of the College.
• Facilitate connections between Strategic Goal priorities and coordinate related activities.
• Identify metrics for strategic goals, monitor progress toward strategic goals, and provide reports to the Senior Team on the status of strategic plan implementation.
• Ensure matters requiring the attention of executive leaders are thoroughly developed.
• Research, evaluate, and prepare reports and other communications, as needed
• Serve as a liaison for the College’s Leadership Team to community members and institutional partners on strategic and operational matters.
• Manage high-priority projects and programs designed to support institutional goals and achieve the College’s mission and strategic vision across multiple divisions.
• Establish and facilitate working groups to advance cross-College projects that require high level coordination, assign tasks, and monitor progress for timely execution of activities.
• Gather, investigate, research, analyze, and/or study information affecting CU institution-wide, intradepartmental, or interdepartmental operations.
• Handle matters of policy and institutional importance on behalf of the Leadership Team;
• Manage special projects including matters involving College officials and community leaders.
• Support the Chair of the Board and the President in the planning of Board meetings, including the creation of agendas, materials and presentations, and other related logistics.
• Staff board meetings and board standing committees, and work collaboratively with committee chairs to coordinate meeting schedules, handle logistics, and ensure accurate recordkeeping and meeting minutes.
• Coordinate and schedule board meetings and board committee meetings each quarter.
• Work with the chairs of board committees including pulling together meeting agenda items, presentations, and supporting materials as well as participate in all meetings, and record key decisions and maintain accurate notes of the proceedings.
• Prepare and update Board materials and ensure they are housed in Board Effect, the Board book with supporting materials for BoardEffect.
• Take the lead on action items that develop within meetings. This includes work with the presidential nominating committee and the identification of ways to engage stakeholders
• Ensure that agendas and materials are sent to all board members one week in advance of meetings.
• Perform events management duties for Board meetings, in collaboration with CU Board President and the College’ senior leadership.
• Work directly with the Chair of the Board of Trustees in preparing for meetings, reports and matters coming from the College President to the Board and vice versa.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree required
• 5 years of related experience
• Ability to examine and re-design operations and procedures, draft policy, and develop and implement new systems and procedures
• Previous experience managing and executing complex projects in a collaborative and team environment
• Ability to work independently and make necessary administrative/procedural decisions and judgements
• Ability to conduct research, summarize findings, and present those findings to inform decision-making at the highest level of the College
• Ability to perform complex tasks and to prioritize multiple projects.
• Strategic planning and assessment skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively work with a wide range of individuals and constituencies in a diverse community

Preferred Qualifications:
• Masters degree in a related field
• Ability to supervise, coordinate, and support staff in order to organize, prioritize, and schedule work assignments
• Previous experience monitoring the effectiveness of strategic plan implementation efforts
• Knowledge of applicable legislation, standards, policies and procedures within higher education
• Knowledge and understanding of institutional policies and procedures and the regulatory environment within which they operate.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Please submit a cover letter and resume to [email protected]. Please note: ATTN Manager of Strategic Initiatives in the subject line of your email.