Director, Strategy and Implementation

EmployIndy; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

EmployIndy seeks a Director, Strategy + Implementation to translate strategic priorities into measurable action and coordinate organization-wide plan execution. The role leads cross-functional initiatives, partners with senior leaders, and manages dependencies and milestones to keep programs on track.

The successful candidate will bring PMP (preferred), strong change management, stakeholder engagement, and a track record of delivering complex multi-stakeholder initiatives from concept to

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, public administration, nonprofit management, or related field.
• Seven+ years of experience in strategy implementation or program leadership.
• PMP preferred.
• Experience leading cross-functional initiatives from concept through implementation.
• Experience influencing outcomes without direct supervisory authority.

Responsibilities

• Lead organization-wide strategic plan implementation with action plans, milestones, and measures.
• Translate priorities into executable plans and measurable outcomes with accountability.
• Convene teams and partners to move initiatives from planning to execution.
• Apply project and change management to monitor progress and manage risks.
• Evaluate results and plan transitions to long-term ownership.

Skills

Strategy implementation

Cross-functional leadership

Project management

Change management

Stakeholder engagement

Performance measurement

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher

Job description

Description

The Director, Strategy + Implementation leads the translation of EmployIndy’s strategic priorities into coordinated, measurable action. The position leads the organization-wide strategic plan implementation process, serves as a strategic thought partner to leaders responsible for key priorities, and directly leads select cross-functional strategic initiatives and special projects.

Working across departments and organizational leadership, the Director brings structure to complex or emerging priorities by helping define desired outcomes, develop implementation approaches, coordinate stakeholders, identify barriers and dependencies, and measure progress. The position combines strategic thinking with strong project and change management practices to move priority initiatives from concept through implementation and, when appropriate, transition to ongoing operational ownership and implementation.

Strategic Plan Implementation

• Lead and maintain the organization-wide strategic plan implementation process, including action plans, milestones, measures, reporting, and regular performance reviews.
• Partner with executive and senior leaders responsible for strategic plan action items to translate priorities into executable plans and measurable outcomes while maintaining accountability with the designated action owner.
• Serve as a strategic thought partner to action owners, helping identify implementation approaches, dependencies, risks, barriers, and opportunities for improvement.
• Monitor progress across strategic goals and initiatives, identify issues requiring cross-functional coordination or leadership decisions, and support reporting to organizational leadership and the Board.
• Use performance data, stakeholder feedback, and organizational learning to recommend adjustments and course corrections as needed.

Strategic Initiatives & Special Projects

• Lead select high-priority, cross-functional strategic initiatives and special projects identified by organizational leadership, particularly those spanning departments, representing new or evolving areas of work, or requiring dedicated implementation capacity.
• Translate complex or emerging priorities into clearly defined projects with objectives, scope, workplans, milestones, roles, decision points, and measures of success.
• Conduct and coordinate research, analysis, stakeholder engagement, and process assessment to inform strategy, initiative design, and organizational decision-making.
• Convene internal teams and external partners, facilitate decision-making, and coordinate activities necessary to move initiatives from planning through execution.
• Apply appropriate project and change management practices to monitor progress, manage risks and dependencies, resolve barriers, and maintain accountability.
• Evaluate implementation and results, recommend opportunities to refine or scale successful approaches, and establish plans for transition to appropriate long-term operational ownership.
• Provide strategic analysis and implementation support for emerging organizational priorities and other special projects as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business, public administration, nonprofit management, organizational leadership, workforce development, or a related field; equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.
• Seven or more years of progressively responsible experience in strategy implementation, project or program leadership, organizational improvement, consulting, workforce development, or a related field.
• PMP preferred.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex, cross-functional initiatives from concept through implementation.
• Experience working across organizational functions and influencing outcomes without direct supervisory authority.
• Experience in workforce development, government, nonprofit, economic development, education, or another complex multi-stakeholder environment preferred.

Equal Opportunity Employer

EmployIndy provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, genetic information, service in the military, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances.

Grant-Funded Employment

Employment at EmployIndy is contingent upon continued grant funding. As a nonprofit organization primarily funded by federal, state, and local government grants, as well as philanthropic partners, positions may be eliminated or employment may be terminated in the event of funding reductions, loss, or cancellation. Employment remains at-will, meaning that either the employee or the organization may terminate employment at any time, with or without cause, subject to applicable laws.