University Engagement Strategist

The George Washington University; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 74,000 - 122,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work

On-site work

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

The George Washington University (GW) seeks a strategic University Engagement Strategist to design, manage, and evaluate engagement programs across campus and remote/hybrid environments.

Reporting to the Executive Director of Talent Development, you will lead survey initiatives, action planning, and staff recognition programs including large-scale events, while partnering with HRBPs, University Events, and communications teams to drive culture and engagement at GW.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization plus 5 years of relevant professional experience, or, a Master’s degree or higher in a relevant area of study plus 3 years of relevant professional experience.
• Experience in a university or large decentralized institutional environment preferred.
• Experience with enterprise employee engagement survey platforms (e.g., Qualtrics, Gallup).

Responsibilities

• Lead the annual university-wide employee engagement survey, managing vendor relationships and data integrity.
• Analyze survey data and present executive briefings with trends and recommendations.
• Collaborate with HRBPs and unit leaders to design action plans and central toolkits.
• Implement pulse surveys and lifecycle feedback to continuously evaluate the employee experience.
• Design and oversee staff recognition programs and large-scale events.
• Manage budgets, vendor relationships, and communications for engagement initiatives.
• Develop campaigns to increase participation and measure impact across campus and remote/hybrid work environments.

Skills

Survey management

Data analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Event planning

Communication

Change management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area

Master’s degree or higher in a relevant area

Tools

Qualtrics

Gallup

Job description

Organizational Background

In the heart of the nation’s capital, George Washington University (GW) is the largest institution of higher education in the District of Columbia. The University offers comprehensive programs of undergraduate and graduate liberal arts study, as well as degree programs in medicine, public health, law, engineering, education, business, and international affairs. As one of the largest private employers in the District of Columbia, the University seeks employees who support the teaching, research, and public service mission of the University.

Posting Details

I. Job Overview

Job Description Summary

In the heart of the nation’s capital, George Washington University (GW) is the largest institution of higher education in the District of Columbia. The University offers comprehensive programs of undergraduate and graduate liberal arts study, as well as degree programs in medicine, public health, law, engineering, education, business, and international affairs. As one of the largest private employers in the District of Columbia, the University seeks employees who support the teaching, research, and public service mission of the University.

Job Description Summary

Reporting to the Executive Director, Talent Development, the University Engagement Strategist serves as a strategic lead and individual contributor responsible for designing, managing, and evaluating university-wide engagement programs, culture initiatives, and staff recognition for the George Washington University.
This position bridges data-driven culture strategy with high-impact execution. The University Engagement Strategist acts as the central HR lead for university culture, synthesizing employee feedback for executive leadership while partnering closely with University Events, HR Business Partners (HRBPs), University Communications, and institutional stakeholders to drive staff connection, appreciation, and community across campus and remote/hybrid work environments.

Key Areas of Responsibility

• Strategic Culture & Survey Management
• Serve as the functional and strategic lead for the annual university-wide employee engagement survey, managing the vendor relationship, survey administration, communication strategies, and data integrity.
• Analyze complex survey data and synthesize findings into executive-level briefings, delivering actionable updates, trend analysis, and recommendations to Deans, Vice Presidents, and Cabinet leadership.
• Partner with HR Business Partners (HRBPs) and unit leaders to facilitate post-survey action planning, designing central toolkits, train-the-trainer resources, and tailored engagement strategies for decentralized units.
• Explore and implement ongoing employee feedback mechanisms (e.g., pulse surveys, lifecycle feedback) to continuously evaluate the employee experience.
• Staff Recognition and Community Events
• Drive the strategy and program design for marquee university-wide staff appreciation initiatives, including the annual GW Step Challenge, employee socials, and community-building events.
• Serve as the primary HR lead in partnership with the University Events team to co-design and execute large-scale signature events (500–2000+ attendees), including the annual Employee Festival and Staff Awards.
• Direct the university’s Career Milestone program, managing vendor agreements, communications, the gift/yearbook platform, and the annual recognition ceremony.
• Oversee the annual review and administration of the Staff Emeriti program.
• Program Operations, Budgeting, & Strategic Communications
• Manage the employee event, engagement budget, tracking expenditures and negotiating with external vendors to maximize program ROI.
• Partner with university communications and internal communication team to develop comprehensive messaging, branding, and promotional plans to increase awareness and participation in engagement initiatives.
• Maintain central engagement and leadership calendars to maximize visibility, participation, and alignment across all university initiatives.
• Establish metrics and analytics to evaluate the reach, participation rate, and overall impact of engagement programs across the university.
• Provide supervision or oversight to event-day support staff, student workers, or temporary staff as required.

Perform all other duties as assigned. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.

Minimum Qualifications

Qualified candidates will hold a Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization plus 5 years of relevant professional experience, or, a Master’s degree or higher in a relevant area of study plus 3 years of relevant professional experience. Degree must be conferred by the start date of the position. Degree requirements may be substituted with an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience working within a university or a large, complex, decentralized institutional environment.
• Hands-on experience with enterprise employee engagement survey platforms (e.g., Qualtrics, Gallup).
• Experience facilitating strategic engagement discussions and action-planning workshops.

Personal Characteristics

• Commitment to GW’s Values: Deep alignment with institutional goals, ethical standards, and community standards.
• Strategic & Action‑Oriented: A positive, solution-focused mindset with the ability to move seamlessly between big-picture planning and tactical execution.
• Collaborative Partner: Proven skill in building strong, trust‑based partnerships across decentralized units and diverse employee populations.
• Accountable & Self‑Driven: Takes full ownership of commitments, meets deadlines, and demonstrates strong self‑direction.
• Adaptive Communicator: Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal skills with the flexibility to navigate organizational change.

Hiring Range

$74,041.08 - $122,078.34

GW Staff Approach to Pay

How is pay for new employees determined at GW?

Healthcare Benefits

GW offers a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental, vision, life & disability insurance, time off & leave, retirement savings, tuition, well‑being and various voluntary benefits. For program details and eligibility, please visit https://hr.gwu.edu/benefits-programs.

II. JOB DETAILS

Campus Location: Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C.

College/School/Department: Human Resource Management and Development (HRM&D)

Family Human Resources

Sub-Family Talent Development

Stream Individual Contributor

Level Level 3

Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time

Hours Per Week: 40

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm

Will this job require the employee to work on site? Yes

Employee Onsite Status Hybrid

Telework: Yes

Required Background Check: Criminal History Screening, Education/Degree/Certifications Verification, Social Security Number Trace, and Sex Offender Registry Search

Special Instructions to Applicants: Employer will not sponsor for employment Visa status

Internal Applicants Only? No

Posting Number: S014551

Job Open Date: 11/06/2026

Background Screening

Successful Completion of a Background Screening will be required as a condition of hire.

EEO Statement

The university is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that does not unlawfully discriminate in any of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.