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Wayne State College
Director of Strategic Initiatives and Special Projects
Academic Career & Executive Search is pleased to assist Wayne State College in its search for Director of
Strategic Initiatives and Special Projects.
For best consideration, please apply by July
25th.
Wayne State College, a success story in higher ed, is enjoying year over year graduate and undergraduate
enrollment growth of 28% as well as increased retention. Additionally, the College has made significant capital investments including major
renovations of residence halls, Performing Arts Center, School of Education building, and is about to embark on a $26M Athletic
Facility.
Reporting directly to the President, this position is ideal for a results-focused leader with a desire to drive
transformative projects and make a lasting impact on strategic initiatives across the College. Utilizing a holistic, collective perspective
to enhance partnerships and motivate stakeholders to action, the successful candidate is a self-starter with exceptional relationship
building and communication skills and the ability to manage complex initiatives within a dynamic environment.
The Director of
Strategic Initiatives and Special Projects drives the organizational strategic planning process and helps steward achievement of the
strategic priorities of the President and the College. The Director will be a leader who can connect change to action across the College and
is able to develop complex collaborations with internal and external collaborators.
The position will be responsible for
ensuring strategic action steps are prioritized and embedded into the operations of the institution. The Director will utilize data to make
independent, informed recommendations to the President, and will provide the leadership needed to ensure these special projects, which have
a substantial impact on the College, are completed.
The Director provides expert advice, input, oversight, and leadership for the
institution’s strategic plan, to include involvement in establishing objectives and initiating, managing, and leading key projects
that involves other members of the administrative team. The Director of Continuing Education and Outreach reports to this position.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Provide advice and input to assist with establishing key objectives
and goals for the College. - Analyze and review strategic plan outcomes data to assess the institution’s progress toward
achieving strategic goals and provide recommendations on new initiatives/programs to advance this work. - Exercise independent
judgement to determine the efficacy of institutional strategies using data analysis and predictive analytics. - Use data to
develop/create predictive models to design, implement, and review strategic actions for future planning. Coordinate on-going strategic
planning efforts for the campus community as well as external stakeholders. - Aid in the identification of internal and external
resources as well as the expertise needed to achieve strategic goals. - Promote a culture of continuous improvement by tracking and
reporting the impact of strategic initiatives. - Collaborate with College Relations to communicate the College’s strategic plan
and celebrate milestones. - Manage both internal and external high-priority projects and programs designed to support the
College’s vision and mission. - Assist in preparing reports and presentations for internal and external stakeholders.
- Research, analyze, and interpret information to advance special projects that have a
- substantial impact on the College’s
operations. - Other duties as assigned by the President.
Minimum Qualifications
- Master’s degree
- Leadership Experience
- 3 years of experience in planning and managing strategic projects
- Experience implementing and monitoring strategic plans
- Demonstrate proficiency in using project management and data
visualization tools to track progress on both initiatives and key performance indicators, preferably with Microsoft toolset, including
0365 and PowerBi
About the Institution
Wayne State College serves as a model of success for regional
public higher education. Investments in infrastructure and facilities, expanded academic programs and partnerships, a whole-campus approach
to recruitment and retention, and a commitment to strategic planning have yielded 28% growth in enrollment during the past six years,
soaring to more than 4,500 students.
Increased opportunities at Wayne State have not come with a higher price tag for students. Our
aggressive work to keep costs down while leveraging scholarships and aid have resulted in the average indebtedness for graduates decreasing
each year for the past four years, from $23,599 to $18,088, while the percentage of students graduating with zero debt has grown to 35% from
31% during the same period.
The College’s momentum is sustained by a data-driven blueprint that aims to inspire students,
strengthen communities, and serve our region. Our goals are clear: continually improve retention and graduation rates, provide high-quality
academic programs and campus facilities, support workforce and economic development in the region, maintain affordability and access, and
manage resources for sustainability.
Our physical campus is beautiful and well-positioned to meet our needs. Careful planning and
stewardship have brought about a newly built Center for Applied Technology, several completely renovated residence halls, academic
buildings, and athletic facilities, and an inviting Campus Commons area at the center of a 128-acre campus that speaks directly to visitors
about the pride we have in our history and traditions.
Alongside our commitment to the physical campus, the College’s vision,
mission, and core values precisely define our highest aspirations, our commitment to the students we educate, and the guidance we have set
for ourselves and our important work.
Our vision states that “Wayne State creates an environment of rigorous teaching, active
learning, and meaningful service that engages students on a path to transformational leadership.” Our mission states that “Wayne
State inspires students through access to affordable, high quality academic programs, personalized support services, and a culture
committed to diversity, sustainability, and creativity. The College strengthens communities by engaging students in experiential
learning and leadership opportunities. Wayne State serves the region through cultural opportunities, strategic partnerships, and innovative
economic development programs.”
We believe in ourselves and work hard each day to help our community achieve its dreams. The
College’s core values around diversity, engaged learning, sustainability, innovation and agility, partnerships, and culture and
community guide the strategies and the execution of the mission while serving as the foundation for Wayne State’s work.
Wayne
State started its life as a Normal School in 1891, became a state school in 1910, and was renamed Wayne State College by the Nebraska
legislature in 1963. We have become a
leading comprehensive college in Northeast Nebraska, with 15 academic departments within four
academic schools and more than 130 career pathways.
Wayne State students, staff, faculty, alumni, and friends hold this institution
in high regard for a reason. The College was borne out of the hard work, tenacity, and grit of early leaders and has been sustained and
advanced by the same spirit throughout its history. We invite prospective students and employees to join us on our mission. Learn more at www.wsc.edu.
Living in the Area
Located in scenic northeast Nebraska, Wayne offers the
vibrancy of a small college town combined with an outdoor lover’s dream with rolling hills, and prairies. The area is rich with
hiking and mountain bike trails as well as beautiful State Parks. In addition, Wayne enjoys cost of living 16.2% lower than the
national average. The public schools in Wayne are consistently rated above average. In fact, Wayne is one of the happiest (how do
we know this) in the state based on factors like crime rates, job satisfaction, income, housing prices, and average education
level.
Wayne is less than 2 hours from Omaha, Nebraska’s largest city offering every recreational and cultural amenity
including restaurants, shopping, museums, zoos, aquariums, and theatre. The Old Market and its cobblestone streets are lined with
galleries, shops, breweries, and restaurants.
To Apply
For best consideration,
please apply by July 25th
To be viewed by the search firm, you must apply directly at: https://acesrch.applicantstack.com/x/detail/a21esjyggddh
Please do not email
applications.
Applications will be reviewed as they are received and should include a cover letter and curriculum vita. All
applications are treated confidentially.
Inquiries, referrals, and nominations are treated confidentially:
Inquiries
and questions: Please send to [email protected]
Nominations and referrals: Please send to [email protected]
Institution’s EEO
Statement
The Nebraska State Colleges are equal opportunity institutions and do not discriminate against any student,
employee, or applicant on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, religion, or age
in employment and education opportunities. Each College has designated an individual to coordinate the Colleges’ non-discrimination
efforts to comply with regulations implementing Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act,
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Inquiries
regarding non-discrimination policies and practices may be directed to the Compliance Coordinators assigned at each College and identified
on each College website.
