Job Description
Department:
Vice President of Planning and Strategy
Pay Rate Type:
Salary
Employee Type:
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.
