Strategic Initiatives PM and Advisor

Grinnellcollege; Grinnell (IA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Grinnell College is seeking a Business Office Strategic Initiatives Advisor to partner with the Vice President for Finance and Treasurer, driving cross-functional initiatives and aligning programs with the division's priorities.

The role emphasizes leadership in strategic planning, governance support, and data-driven decision making, collaborating with HR, Accounting, Risk Management, Facilities, and Auxiliary Services to advance measurable outcomes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business or public administration, communications, Higher Education administration, Finance, Management or related field.
• Five to seven years of progressively responsible project or operations management/strategic planning, communications.
• Champions Diversity Equity and Inclusion.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex projects.
• Experience preparing executive-level reports, presentations, communications, and recommendations.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining attention to detail and quality.

Responsibilities

• Drive High-Impact Initiatives: Lead cross-functional strategic, operational, technology, and process improvement efforts with roadmaps and milestones.
• Champion Transformation and Innovation: Support the implementation of new systems, technologies, and operating models to modernize operations.
• Serve as a Trusted Strategic Partner: Advise the VP for Finance and Treasurer and coordinate with senior leaders and trustees.
• Shape and Amplify the Division’s Voice: Develop communications for internal and external audiences.
• Translate Data into Insight: Lead data collection, analysis, dashboards, and performance metrics to inform planning.

Skills

Project management

Strategic planning

Communications

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business or public administration, communications, Higher Education administration, Finance, Management or related field

Masters Degree in any of the forementioned fields

Tools

Project management software

Website content management systems

Data reporting tools

Job description

The Business Office Strategic Initiatives Advisor serves as a trusted strategic partner to the Vice President for Finance and Treasurer, driving high-impact initiatives and advancing the division’s priorities. This role provides leadership across strategic planning, operational excellence, communication strategy, governance support, and special projects, ensuring alignment and momentum across the Business Office.

Working in close collaboration with departmental leaders in Human Resources, Accounting, Risk Management, Facilities Management, and Auxiliary Services (Dining Services, Pioneer Bookshop, the Mail Room, the GC Golf Course, and the Office of Event Coordination and Scheduling), the Advisor helps shape and execute initiatives that enhance operational effectiveness, support informed decision-making, and deliver measurable outcomes on complex, cross-functional projects.

As a central connector within the Business Office, the Advisor serves as a key liaison among senior leadership, trustees, departmental teams, and campus stakeholders. Through this work, the role ensures strong alignment between strategic goals, operational priorities, communications, and project execution-ultimately strengthening the division’s impact and cohesion.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive High-Impact Initiatives: Lead and orchestrate cross-functional strategic, operational, technology, and process improvement efforts. Develop clear project roadmaps, implementation timelines, milestones, and success metrics that ensure measurable outcomes.
• Champion Transformation and Innovation: Support the implementation of new systems, technologies, and operating models-helping departments modernize, streamline operations, and enhance service delivery.
• Serve as a Trusted Strategic Partner: Act as a key advisor and thought partner to the Vice President for Finance and Treasurer, facilitating alignment across the division and ensuring effective communication and coordination with senior leaders and trustees.
• Shape and Amplify the Division’s Voice: Develop and deliver compelling communications- ranging from presentations and reports to newsletters and announcements-that clearly articulate priorities, progress, and impact to internal and external audiences.
• Translate Data into Insight: Lead data collection, analysis, and reporting efforts, including the development of dashboards and performance metrics, to inform strategic planning, enable data-driven decision-making, and track progress against divisional goals.

ABOUT GRINNELL COLLEGE

Grinnell College is a top-ranking private liberal arts institution that values diversity, equity, inclusion, intellectual freedom, and social responsibility. We seek candidates that align with these values and have the ability and desire to advance our values and belonging within our community and the communities we engage. Ideal candidates will be prepared to collaborate and contribute to the mission and values of the college across all constituencies.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business or public administration, communications, Higher Education administration, Finance, Management or related field
• Five to seven years of progressively responsible project or operations management/strategic planning, communications
• Champions Diversity Equity and Inclusion
• Demonstrated experience leading complex projects
• Experience preparing executive-level reports, presentations, communications, and recommendations.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining attention to detail and quality.

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters Degree in any of the forementioned fields
• Experience working in higher education
• Project management certification or equivalent training preferred.
• Proven experience with website content management systems, project management software, and data reporting tools.
• Experience supporting executive leadership and governance activities