Sr. Strategic Advisor, Policy Development & Implementation (Sightline)

Inside Higher Ed; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 99,800 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plans

Generous paid time off

Telework options

Job summary

A leading higher education institution is seeking a Sr. Strategic Advisor for Policy Development & Implementation. This hybrid role in Baltimore involves leading the creation of clear policy frameworks, collaborating with diverse teams, and ensuring compliance with regulations. Ideal candidates will possess a Bachelor's degree, 7+ years of relevant experience, and preferably an advanced degree. The starting salary range is competitive, reflecting the candidate's experience and contributions.

Qualifications

• 7 years of progressively responsible experience in financial analysis, project management, or consulting.
• Experience in policy development, compliance, or operational leadership in higher education.
• Knowledge of employment law and regulatory frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and management of institutional policies.
• Manage policy lifecycle including stakeholder consultation and reviews.
• Collaborate across areas for consistent policy design.

Skills

Critical thinking

Analytical reasoning

Project management

Communication

Team player

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Public Policy, Law, Human Resources, or related field

Advanced degree (JD, MPA, MBA) preferred

Tools

Workday

SharePoint

DocuSign CLM

PolicyTech

Job description

Overview

Johns Hopkins Sightline Unleash Your Impact. The Johns Hopkins Sightline Business Modernization Project aims to reimagine how Johns Hopkins works by transforming processes and technology while empowering people to focus on research, teaching, patient care, and community impact. Baltimore is the backdrop for a dynamic and entrepreneurial team.

Joining Sightline means you will work with cutting-edge technology, be part of a collaborative team in higher education and healthcare, and build new skills in an environment that encourages creativity, innovation, and personal growth. The program is a multi-year initiative that selects and implements the next ERP platform for the Johns Hopkins enterprise, enabling broader operational transformation and the reduction of administrative barriers to mission-critical work.

Role

Sr. Strategic Advisor, Policy Development & Implementation — an integral member of the Business Transformation Team. This position reports to the AVP for Finance & Administration Transformation. The role leads the development and management of a cohesive, transparent policy framework aligned with the evolving operating model for administrative services, regulatory obligations, and Workday implementation.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and management of institutional policies and procedures.
• Manage a structured policy lifecycle: stakeholder consultation, approval, implementation, and scheduled reviews.
• Ensure policies are clear, consistent, accessible, and aligned with the university’s mission, legal requirements, and strategic goals.
• Monitor changes in federal, state, and local regulations; assess implications for Sightline-related policy; partner with legal and compliance offices to meet regulatory standards.
• Collaborate across administrative, academic, HR, finance, and operational areas to promote consistency, fairness, and accountability in policy design and implementation.
• Coordinate project plans, team assignments, and daily work, identify resource needs, perform quality reviews, and escalate issues as needed.
• Present to executives, end-users, and subject-matter experts; negotiate, facilitate, build consensus, and provide strong customer service.
• Develop communication and training materials to support policy rollout and adoption.
• Maintain governance and documentation, including file repositories and unit-level policy governance frameworks.
• Conduct periodic policy audits, gap analyses, and contribute to change management and communication strategies.
• Provide subject matter expertise on policy best practices and industry benchmarks.

Qualifications

• Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Public Policy, Law, Human Resources, Higher Education Administration, Business Administration, or related field.
  • Seven years of related progressively responsible experience in financial analysis, project management, and/or consulting.
  • Education substitutions may apply per the Johns Hopkins equivalency formula.
• Preferred Qualifications
  • Advanced degree (e.g., JD, MPA, MBA) preferred, especially for leadership roles.
  • Seven to ten years of experience in policy development, compliance, legal affairs, or operational leadership in a complex organization; higher education experience preferred.
  • Knowledge of employment law, Title IX, FERPA, ADA, and other regulatory frameworks relevant to higher education.
  • Experience with enterprise systems (e.g., Workday) and large-scale administrative transformation initiatives.
  • Familiarity with shared governance structures and academic organizational models.
  • Proficiency with policy management tools and platforms (e.g., SharePoint, DocuSign CLM, PolicyTech).

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong critical thinking and analytical reasoning skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt to changing demands.
• Well-organized with attention to detail; ability to lead across teams without direct authority.
• Strategic business acumen and ability to design systems aligned with organizational strategy.
• Collaborative work style; excellent written and verbal communication; ability to present to senior leadership.
• Self-starter with the ability to prioritize and plan complex work; results-oriented with a focus on outcomes.
• Team player with experience leading and delivering cross-team solutions; strong timeline management.

Other Details

Classified Title: Sr. Associate Strategic Initiatives

Job Posting Title: Sr. Strategic Advisor, Policy Development & Implementation (Sightline)

Location: Hybrid/Mount Washington Campus; Department: Sightline; Personnel area: University Administration.

Benefits & Compliance

Total Rewards information and salary range: Starting salary range is $99,800 - $175,000 annually (commensurate with experience). Johns Hopkins offers a total rewards package including health insurance, retirement, telework options, and generous paid time off. More details are available at the Johns Hopkins benefits site. This posting includes information on background checks, diversity and inclusion, equal opportunity employment, and accessibility accommodations as applicable.