Associate Vice President for Strategic Operations

The Associate Vice President for Strategic Operations is responsible for efficiently and effectively leading the overall operations of the Office of Academic Affairs, coordinating a variety of projects and initiatives related to operational excellence and academic strategy, and providing advice and guidance on operational, administrative, and human resources issues. Serves as an interface to facilitate Provost interactions with the Board for Trustees by working closely with the Board Secretary and their office. Develops implementation plans to ensure the expeditious execution of initiatives. Serves as an advisor to the Executive Vice President and Provost (Provost), Senior Vice Provosts, Vice Provosts, and other senior leaders. Works closely with Academic Affairs leaders and their teams to ensure that priorities are set in alignment with academic and university strategy and that activities are coordinated in support of those priorities.

Daily Operations

Provides oversight of various administrative functions and ensures effective and efficient operations and continuous improvement of internal workflows. Collaborates to solve complex problems; keeps Provost advised on relevant issues and assures issues brought to the Provost's office are addressed efficiently and professionally. Supervises staff.

Ensures that the Provost is well prepared for interactions with key stakeholders; acts on behalf of the Provost in communications with faculty, staff, students, and external constituencies when needed. Has a strong focus on providing high-quality support and services for the Provost so that he/she is well prepared for internal and public engagements.

Responsible for the development of executive level meeting agendas and ensures meetings are strategic and well-orchestrated.

With support from and in collaboration with the board secretary’s office, responsible to closely plan for, and monitor Board of Trustees agendas for upcoming meetings and ensure that OAA and Provost are well prepared for the board meetings and follow up tasks.

Assists OAA leaders with daily operations and strategy of OAA units, sets operational and strategic goals, monitors progress toward established goals and ensures alignment with university priorities.

Provides counsel and advice to the Human Resources Business Partner and HR team designated to support OAA and works collaboratively to develop and manage OAA's talent and HR strategy.

Facilitates issue resolution, integration, and collaboration across units; recommends strategies for resolving issues; implements strategies as appropriate, liaises with units across campus; monitors progress toward long term goals.

Operational Excellence/Efficiency/Change Management

Supported by the Operational Excellence Project Manager, the Associate Vice President directs organizational effectiveness and operational excellence projects for Academic Affairs and partners with other university operational effectiveness teams to facilitate and participate in enterprise-wide projects. Evaluates organizational structures and make recommendations for enhanced effectiveness and continuous improvement.

Evaluates OAA organization and implements changes that enhance the office’s ability to work more effectively across teams and builds strategic and operational capacity to support the university’s academic mission through its colleges and regional campuses. Oversees change management efforts in a manner aligned with the creative and collaborative team environment where change is embraced, innovation is encouraged, and strategic endeavors are advanced swiftly.

Elevates all activities in OAA to deliver a responsive, customer-service-oriented experience. This role leads the development and implementation of process improvement, organizational efficiencies, and the evaluation of service provided by OAA. Builds relationships and ensures seamless, dynamic interactions between the OAA and varied internal and external constituencies to help facilitate access to the Provost and OAA leaders.

Liaison and Advisor

Serves as liaison between OAA and various senior leaders including the President’s Cabinet and the offices that support the Cabinet members, the Office of the President, the Board of Trustees, deans, vice presidents, and others.

Responsible for the coordination and development of materials to support the Academic Affairs and Student Life committee of the Board of Trustees.

Collaborates with deans and other leaders and project teams across the university to ensure that strategic initiatives are successfully implemented.

Advises the Provost and OAA leaders on key strategic priorities and serves as primary liaison with university and community constituencies.

Requirements

A strategic thinker with a record of success in highly collaborative, complex organizations; thorough knowledge of university organization and procedures required; strong organizational skills; excellent written and verbal communications skills; progressively responsible administrative experience in education or related environment required. MBA, MPA or MHA strongly desired.

Considerable experience in and knowledge of strategic frameworks and planning at multiple levels of an organization (enterprise, unit, department); metrics development and tracking; organizational effectiveness; data use and statistical analysis.

Undertanding of and ability to develop strong collaborative partnerships, listen deeply and proactively anticipate needs of constituents.

Ability to challenge the status quo; continually improve an already high-functioning organization; and generate high levels of productivity and creative problem-solving.

Open and collaborative style of leadership and management that fosters teamwork, sustains a learning environment for staff, and supports a dedicated, results-oriented team that earns the trust of the university community.