Executive Director, Strategic Initiatives & Operations

Occidental College; Firestone Park (CA); On-site; USD 105,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Occidental College in Los Angeles seeks a Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives and Operations to lead divisional planning and cross-functional projects. The role oversees the Dean’s Office operations, faculty governance processes, and confidential communications supporting the Dean and leadership team.

Ideal candidates have extensive higher education leadership experience, strong written and verbal skills, and a track record of strategic implementation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related field to position duties or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Nine years of progressively responsible administrative, operational, or strategic leadership experience in a higher education setting.
• Two years of supervisory experience, including hiring, managing performance, and mentoring professional staff or academic leadership roles.
• Three years of experience driving cross-functional project management and executing divisional strategic plans using performance tracking frameworks (e.g., OKRs, KPIs, or dashboards).
• Knowledge of academic governance processes, including Promotion and Tenure cycles, sabbatical reviews, advisory committees, and policy administration and records management.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare executive briefings, agendas, reports, policy announcements, and strategic presentations.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and electronic communications skills, with the ability to communicate effectively and professionally across organizational levels.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, and confidentiality when navigating complex matters.
• Proven ability to lead, supervise, mentor, and develop employees; foster high-performing teams.
• Demonstrated ability to build trust and promote alignment across diverse campus divisions, with a commitment to justice, equity, inclusion, and diversity.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, Adobe Acrobat, and enterprise academic management systems.
• Strong organizational, analytical, logistical, and project management skills.
• Ability to work independently, anticipate leadership needs, and provide operational support.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across functions and diverse groups.
• Knowledge of leadership practices, including supervision, performance assessment, and talent management.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Planning & Project Management: drive divisional strategic plan, track progress toward OKRs, and lead cross-functional initiatives.
• Executive Administrative & Operational Leadership: oversee day-to-day operations, scheduling, briefing prep, and liaison to the Board of Trustees Academic Affairs & Technology Committee.
• Academic Policies and Reviews: oversee Advisory Council and Faculty Promotion and Tenure review processes; manage policy records.
• Strategic Communications & Stakeholder Liaison: lead internal/external communications and prepare strategic presentations with discretion.
• Staff Coordination & Supervision: supervise Academic Affairs staff, recruit/mentor interns, and support cross-unit priorities.
• Other Duties: perform additional responsibilities as needed.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Executive communications

Policy administration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Job description

Occidental College in Los Angeles seeks a Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives and Operations to lead divisional planning and cross-functional projects. The role oversees the Dean’s Office operations, faculty governance processes, and confidential communications supporting the Dean and leadership team.

Ideal candidates have extensive higher education leadership experience, strong written and verbal skills, and a track record of strategic implementation.