Job Number: REQ_0000066794
JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:
The Director of Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships, reporting to the Interim Vice Provost for Educational Equity, provides visionary, strategic, and operational leadership to manage a dynamic portfolio of work in support of the Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Equity's strategic goals. This position supervises professional staff responsible for grant administration, marketing and communications, bias reporting administration, and professional development. The position serves as the primary liaison to the unit's Information Technology strategic partner to ensure alignment of systems and services with the Office's evolving needs. The role ensures high-quality service delivery, cross-functional communication and collaboration, and strategic alignment across all supervised functions. The ideal candidate is a collaborative and solutions-oriented leader with strong project management skills and a deep commitment to equity, integrity, and institutional excellence.
Work activities include:
Leadership and Strategic Alignment
Provide overall direction and oversight for the unit's operational and strategic initiatives to advance organizational goals.
Lead a team of professionals across four key domains: grant administration, marketing/communications, bias response, and professional development.
Serve as the unit's primary liaison to the IT strategic partner, collaborating to align technology tools, data systems, and digital infrastructure with the unit's functional priorities.
Ensure all areas align with the Office's mission and the University's broader strategic objectives.
Represent the Office on key committees and task forces; serve as a thought partner to senior leadership.
Program and Operations Oversight
Supervise the design and implementation of systems and services to support grant proposal development, post-award compliance, and fiscal management.
Oversee communications strategy including digital presence, publications, and internal/external messaging.
Provide leadership for bias incident response protocols, data tracking, and reporting mechanisms.
Support development and assessment of professional learning programs for staff, students, and campus partners.
Collaborate with IT partners to maintain data security, implement software tools, and troubleshoot operational challenges related to technology.
Staff Supervision and Development
Hire, train, supervise, and evaluate direct reports and their teams to ensure a supportive, inclusive, and effective workplace.
Set clear performance expectations and provide regular coaching and feedback.
Facilitate professional development to support staff retention and growth.
Budget and Resource Management
In collaboration with finance staff, monitor budget allocations, grant expenditures, and cost efficiencies across supervised areas.
Identify opportunities for additional revenue or cost savings in line with unit goals.
Collaboration and External Engagement
Develop and sustain partnerships with university departments, external agencies, and community organizations.
Serve as liaison to central offices including communications, finance, research administration, and IT.
Represent the Office of Educational Equity in meetings, presentations, and public engagements.
Necessary Skills and Knowledge
Demonstrated success managing cross-functional teams and complex projects.
Knowledge of grant administration, communications strategy, bias response systems, professional development, and technology collaboration in higher education or nonprofit settings.
Strong relationship-building skills to work effectively with IT partners and other institutional stakeholders.
Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in both process and practice.
Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
Education and Experience
Minimally requires a Bachelor's degree and 8 years of progressively responsible experience in administration, operations, or a related field. An equivalent combination of education and experience is accepted.
At least 3 years of supervisory experience, preferably in a higher education or similarly complex environment.
Experience with budget oversight, grant management, or strategic communications is strongly preferred.
Clearances
This position requires the following clearances: PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form, and Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check.
Application Instructions
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume for full consideration. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
Benefits
Penn State offers a competitive benefits package for full-time employees, including:
Medical, dental, vision, and retirement plans
Tuition discounts for employees and eligible family members
Generous vacation and sick time
14 paid holidays/campus closure days
Learn more: https://hr.psu.edu/benefits
The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging in all its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports both broad and specific equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university's teaching, research, and service mission.
The salary range for this position, including all possible grades is:
$86,300.00 - $129,500.00Salary Structure - additional information on Penn State's job and salary structure.