Director of Strategic Projects (University Enrollment Management)

The Johns Hopkins University; Baltimore (MD); Hybrid; USD 102,000 - 179,000; Full time

Job summary

The Johns Hopkins University seeks a Director of Strategic Projects to advise senior leaders within University Enrollment Management and to manage high-impact initiatives aligned with the university's strategic plan. The role focuses on execution, collaboration, and transparent progress toward milestones and metrics across the division and campus.

You will partner with VPEM, AVP/COS, and leadership to harmonize initiatives, manage complex projects, and deliver clear, data-driven recommendations

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Five years of progressively responsible relevant experience required.
• Additional education may substitute for required experience.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate across university to design and implement strategic initiatives.
• Provide writing, presentation support and program management for major initiatives.
• Develop and update project plans and related documentation.
• Manage short-term strategic initiatives and ensure milestones are met.
• Prepare reports and materials for VPEM and stakeholders.

Skills

Project management

Strategic communication

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Data visualization

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

MS Project

Asana

Smartsheet

Job description

We are seeking a Director of Strategic Projects who will be a trusted advisor to the Vice Provost for Enrollment Management (VPEM) and AVP, Strategic Initiatives and Chief of Staff (AVP/COS), the VPEM Leadership Team, and a key member of the VPEM Office. The role will play an important role in support of divisional priorities with a focus on strategic and effective execution and collaboration to develop and launch high-impact strategic initiatives. The position reports to the AVP/COS on project management and program development on behalf of the VPEM. This includes helping to ensure that divisional initiatives within the Office are harmonized, and progressing transparently towards set deadlines, objectives, milestones, and essential metrics or criteria. They will provide high-level management for several initiatives and projects that have significant implications across the division and university, including those directly related to the university's strategic plan, the Ten for One, and university-wide enrollment management. Working closely with VPEM personnel, USS, and others across the university, this position plays a key role in collaboratively advancing divisional priorities and other needs as assigned. The Manager will work closely with, and serve as a resource for, the VPEM and departments within the division, and serves as a strategic liaison with divisional constituencies, across all levels of leadership.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the AVP/COS and partners across the university to design and implement new initiatives, ensuring a deep understanding of the higher education landscape, and creating sensitive and/or confidential materials, including briefings, presentations, reviews, and draft correspondence.
• Provide in-depth writing and presentation support and program management for significant initiatives being launched from the Office of the VPEM.
• Develop and update project plans and related documentation related to critical University Enrollment Management initiatives.
• Manage short-term strategic initiatives.
• Manage project scope and follow proper escalation paths to ensure that deadlines are achieved, and deliverables meet expectations.
• Develop written reports and presentations on findings, plans, and recommendations for VPEM, AVPs, and relevant stakeholders, and the broader division, ensuring that communications are clear, precise, and compel ling.
• Lead the development and/or collection of materials to ensure VPEM preparation for all meetings.
• Collaborate with internal points of contact and subject experts to ensure that all materials are accurate, fact checked, and proofed to the highest standards. Collaborate with University Enrollment Management Communications team to ensure that brand management and communication standards are met.
• Ensure the timely flow and content of information to and from the Office. Demonstrate a steadfast commitment to enhancing workflows and communications, amplifying the overall productivity of the Office.
• Establish excellent working relationships with key stakeholders, including University Enrollment Management AVPs, Department Leads, the VPEM, and other key university leadership offices.
• Other duties as assigned by the AVP/ Cos.
• Support additional strategic change management and program development efforts that originate from the Office of the VPEM.

Special Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Knowledge of University Enrollment Management functional areas/departments and student development theory.
• Demonstrated emotional intelligence and the ability to use diplomacy and sensitivity in working with a diverse and broad range of constituents and relate effectively to individuals throughout all levels of the organization and its external stakeholders.
• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal skills including outstanding listening, communication, persuasion, and presentation abilities with a demonstrated focus on accuracy and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize and present data in digestible formats for higher level consumption.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, exercise discretion and sound judgment, and manage situations that require time-sensitive solution.
• Proven track record of effective leadership and ability to navigate complex issues and drive strong performance results with the ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Strong project management, organizational, and data interpretation skills with the ability to efficiently manage multiple projects and deadlines, work across departments and functions, and translate strategies from plans to action.
• Understanding of and commitment to the mission of the organization. Ability to work effectively with diverse groups of students, faculty, and staff.
• High level of administrative and communication skills required.
• Excellent interpersonal, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Flexibility and ability to manage multiple competing priorities.
• Ability to prioritize conflicting demands.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively with stakeholders.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to apply tact and good judgment in dealing with all levels of university staff, administrators, faculty, and students.
• Politically aware and able to maintain confidentiality.
• Must possess proven written and verbal skills related to generating reports and presenting material.
• Experience with data visualization.
• Track record of working independently and collaboratively with colleagues. Must be able to exercise judgment with minimal supervision.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree required.
• Five years of progressively responsible relevant experience required.
• Additional education may substitute for required experience, and additional related experience may substitute for required education beyond a high school diploma/graduation equivalent, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's Degree preferred .
• Significant experience crafting materials for high-level university leadership positions and initiatives.
• Experience with project planning methodologies, tools, and concepts, including MS Project, Asana, Smartsheet, etc.

The Johns Hopkins University was America's first research university, founded for the express purpose of expanding knowledge and putting that knowledge to work for the good of humanity. Today, Johns Hopkins has approximately 6,500 faculty, 6,200 undergraduate students, and 17,600 graduate students across 230 degree programs at the baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral levels. JHU has multiple campuses in Baltimore and campuses serving graduate students in DC, Italy, and China. Johns Hopkins stands alone among top research universities in its extraordinary commitment of attention and resources to ensuring student success and particularly those from first-generation or limited income {FU) backgrounds, making bold, sustained, and dramatic investments in the student experience over the last 15 years. University Enrollment Management enjoys a close relationship with Academic Affairs at JHU, and with a shared responsibility for delivering on one of the University's highest priorities: recruiting and matriculating highly talented students from a wide range of backgrounds, regardless of their ability to pay, enroll at JHU. We work closely with our colleagues in Student Affairs, Student Health and Well-Being, Academic Affairs, Integrated Learning and Life Design, deans and school leadership and to ensure students can take full advantage of all that JHU has to offer.

Our team is seeking student-centered, success-oriented professionals who want to make a difference in students' lives. Ideal candidates in University Enrollment Management are curious, solution-seeking, have a can-do attitude, and are committed to the dignity and equity of all persons. If you enjoy student-centered work, work focused on building relationships and fostering community, that is rarely the same day-to-day, engaging with both college students and colleagues in-person as well as virtually, and have an entrepreneurial spirit, we want you to join us!

Classified Title: Director of Special Projects

Job Posting Title (Working Title): Director of Strategic Projects (University Enrollment Management)

Role/Level/Range: ATP/04/PG

Starting Salary Range: $102,295 - $179,375 Annually ($135K - $150K targeted; Commensurate w/exp,)

Employee group: Full Time

Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:30 - 5:00

FLSA Status: Exempt

Location: Hybrid/Homewood Campus

Department name: Vice Provost for Admissions & Fin Aid

Personnel area: University Student Services