Manager of Strategic Initiatives - Gephardt Institute for Civic and Community Engagement
Washington University in St. Louis
Application
Details
Posted: 15-Jan-25
Location: ST. LOUIS, Missouri
Type: Full-time
Internal Number: JR86627
Scheduled Hours
37.5
Position Summary
The Manager of Strategic Initiatives leads the development and implementation of strategic projects and initiatives that advance the Gephardt Instituteâ™s mission through project management, team coordination, and cultivation of stakeholder relationships. This position oversees strategic projects, project management for special events, and stakeholder outreach and engagement, with attention to collaborative planning, strategic goals and relationships, a university-wide lens on partnerships and audience engagement, and continuous improvement.
The Manager reports to the Director of Programs and Operations, coordinates frequently with the Executive Director, and facilitates synergistic and collaborative planning with program staff, Operations and event leads, Marketing and Communications, University Advancement, and other internal and external project partners.
This position requires a strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. This position also requires a strong commitment to non-partisanship and to engagement of all Washington University students and stakeholders regardless of their political positions.
Job Description
Primary Duties & Responsibilities:
Strategic Projects
Leads development and implementation of strategic projects and initiatives, such as pilot projects, site visits, and collaborative projects with other units or partners.
Partners with Executive Director and Director of Programs and Operations to coordinate and implement plans for projects, events, and meetings that relate to fundraising, stewardship, and institute priorities.
Manages advisory committees affiliated with the National Advisory Council to ensure key goals and milestones are met, through activities such as meeting coordination, meeting notes, drafting reports, and conducting or facilitating background work requested by the Chair, institute staff, or committee.
Manages special initiatives such as Connections for Civic Impact (alumni-student mentoring), the Atkin Residency in the Art of Democracy, and Student Advisory Council recruitment and selection.
Leads professional staff searches in collaboration with the hiring manager, Operations lead, and other institute staff and partners, through activities such as building detailed project plans, developing and implementing target marketing and outreach strategies, coordinating interviews, and communicating with candidates.
Project Management for Special Events
Leads development and project management for strategic and special events, complementing the event planning led by Operations. This includes student orientation and outreach in the fall and throughout the year, Civic Engagement Fair, ChangeMakers Dinner, Gerry and Bob Virgil Ethic of Service Awards, celebration of graduating students, Reunion Weekend reception, Visiting Civic Fellows, major events, and ad hoc events.
Coordinates with Executive Director, Director of Programs and Operations, Operations lead, Marketing and Communications, other Institute staff, and event partners in the development, implementation, and review of project plans.
Manages project coordination from ideation through execution and evaluation, which includes coordinating collaborative teams, developing detailed project plans, overseeing implementation, and leading continuous improvement with attention to strategic goals and operational effectiveness.
Collaborates with Associate Director for Civic Engagement to plan and implement Civic Action Week with attention to project management and team coordination.
Stakeholder Outreach and Engagement
Cultivates awareness and engagement among target audiences for Institute events and opportunities, complementing Marketing & Communications through customized outreach strategies, including digital engagement, presentations, information sessions, and other related and innovative strategies. Target audiences include students, student-facing faculty and staff, other campus partners, and community partners.
Partners with Marketing & Communications to develop and execute comprehensive engagement strategies.
Reviews audience engagement with the Institute to identify opportunities and strategies for strengthening engagement, with attention to diversity of audiences, equitable participation, new audiences, and audiences underrepresented in Gephardt Institute programs and events.
Develops and sustains relationships with a broad range of campus stakeholders, including department and student leaders, maintaining a university-wide lens and visibility.
Facilitates connections and mutually beneficial relationships between campus stakeholders and Gephardt Institute staff.
Serves as the point of contact and Institute facilitator for campus stakeholders seeking partnership and/or promotion of their initiatives.
Serves as an essential member of the Gephardt Institute team.
Contributes to initiatives, meetings, and events of the Gephardt Institute, including donor cultivation and stewardship, developing strategy and vision for initiatives, planning processes, grant/proposal applications and reporting, student outreach, campus partner and community partner engagement, special projects, and special events.
Collaborates with Institute leaders, program staff, Operations, Marketing & Communications, and relevant stakeholders to coordinate planning, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of all Gephardt Institute programs and services
Performs other duties as assigned.
Applicant Special Instructions
Please include a cover letter and resume with your submission.
Working Conditions:
Job Location/Working Conditions
Normal office environment
Alternative work schedule as regular part of job (on-call, shifts, evening, weekends)
Physical Effort
Typically sitting at desk or table
Repetitive wrist, hand or finger movement
Ability to move to on and off-campus locations
Equipment
Office equipment
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.
Required Qualifications
Education:
Bachelorâ™s degree or combination of education and/or experience may substitute for minimum education.
Certifications:
No specific certification is required for this position.
Work Experience:
Relevant Experience (3 Years)
Skills:
Not Applicable
Driver's License:
A driver's license is not required for this position.
More About This Job
The ideal candidate for this position will possess:
Excellent organizational, planning, problem-solving, project management, and event planning skills.
Masterâ™s degree in Public Administration, Non-Profit Management, Business Administration, Student Affairs, Higher Education, or related field.
Five or more years of progressive responsibility leading project teams, operations, and/or events, preferably with professional experience working in higher education.
Substantive knowledge and passion for civic engagement, community engagement, civic learning, civic dialogue, community development, community partnerships, social change, the public purpose of higher education, and/or related areas.
Excellent interpersonal, written/verbal communication, and relationship management skills, including with diverse audiences and purposes. Perceptive and skilled with managing nuanced or sensitive relationships with sound judgement, a strategic orientation, tact, and diplomacy.
Strong ability and enthusiasm for developing systems, procedures, and detailed project plans; setting high standards of quality; and achieving results;Â Project management training and experience, and/or experience with project management and CRM software platforms.
Demonstrated ability to lead collaborative initiatives and manage accountabilities from a middle management position.
Enthusiasm and ability to work in a dynamic, highly collaborative environment with multiple functions, audiences, and priorities.
Commitment to the Gephardt Instituteâ™s values of Inquiry, Empathy, Collaboration, Integrity, Equity, and Action.
Demonstrated ability to work in a non-partisan environment. Commitment to maintaining a non-partisan and inclusive approach to all educational, programming, outreach, and communication strategies.   Â
Ability and willingness to work morning, evening, and weekend hours for events, meetings, special projects, and deadlines in service to students and the Instituteâ™s mission.
Energy, vision, initiative, creativity, empathy, humility, tolerance for ambiguity, ability to embrace and navigate change, and sense of humor.
Preferred Qualifications
Education:
Master's degree
Certifications:
Project Management Professional (PMP) - Project Management Institute (PMI)
Work Experience:
No additional work experience beyond what is stated in the Required Qualifications section.
Skills:
Communication, Deadline Management, Detail-Oriented, Empathic Communication, Event Planning, High Accuracy, Multitasking, Organizing, Planning Ability, Prioritization, Problem Solving, Project Management, Results-Oriented, Sound Judgment, Stress Management, Taking Initiative, Time Management, Work Collaboratively, Work Efficiency, Working Independently, Workload Management, Workload Prioritization
Grade
G10
Salary Range
$49,700.00 - $82,100.00 / AnnuallyThe salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.
Questions
For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ.
Accommodation
If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email [email protected] or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.
All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.
Pre-Employment Screening
All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.
Benefits Statement
Personal
Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.
Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.
Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.
WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.
Wellness
Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!
Family
We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. Need adult care? Weâ™ve got you covered.
WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.
Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity and especially encourages applications by those from underrepresented groups. It is the Universityâ™s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.
Diversity Statement
Washington University is dedicated to building a diverse community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment â“ fostering respect for all and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Individuals with a commitment to these values are encouraged to apply.
Washington University in St. Louis, a medium-sized, independent university, is dedicated to challenging its faculty and students alike to seek new knowledge and greater understanding of an ever-changing, multicultural world. The University offers more than 90 programs and almost 1,500 courses leading to bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in a broad spectrum of traditional and interdisciplinary fields, with additional opportunities for minor concentrations and individualized programs. The faculty is composed of scholars, scientists, artists and members of the learned professions. They serve society by teaching; by adding to the store of human art, creativity, understanding, and wisdom; and by providing direct services, such as health care.