NAU Arizona Innovation Alliance Fellow #605519

Job Description

Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, and the University of Arizona have founded the Arizona Innovation Alliance (AIA). The AIA is a partnership among the three Arizona public universities that seeks to enhance the performance of higher education in Arizona. The three universities are committed to find new and better ways of working together to improve the overall rates of student success (retention, graduation, academic performance) with particular attention on traditionally under-served populations; to deploy educational practices and programs which combine high standards of student outcomes with cost effective teaching and student support.; and to optimize resource allocation to assure the delivery of high quality educational programs and the availability of funding needed to assure accessibility and affordability. See here for additional information.

The Arizona Innovation Alliance is supported by the Arizona Board of Regents and is modeled on the University Innovation Alliance (UIA). The AIA is sponsored by the presidents of the three universities. AIA primary staff includes a full-time Assistant Director. Each university president appoints an Alliance Liaison and University Fellow to support AIA-affiliated efforts on behalf of their institutions.

The Arizona Innovation Alliance (AIA) Fellow at NAU is a new full-time, benefits eligible position supported by ABOR. The Fellow will provide specific expertise to plan, organize, coordinate, evaluate and participate in Northern Arizona University’s collaboration with the AIA. Under administrative direction from the Assistant Director and affiliated executive leadership, the Fellow provides strategic project management to advance AIA initiatives at NAU and interacts with internal and external project stakeholders to build support.

Project Management:

• Provides strategic assistance to develop, launch, and sustain AIA-affiliated projects at NAU.
• Works the Assistant Director, AIA affiliated executive leadership, NAU senior leadership and other leaders across AIA institution to identify, analyze, and find solutions for student success barriers.
• Supports the management of cross-departmental and cross-institutional projects related to AIA’s student success goals.
• Identifies, coordinates, and manages project-specific budgets and resources in collaboration with relevant administrative units.
• Researches, compiles, prepares, and compose analyses, data and documents in support of NAU and AIA initiatives requested by NAU or other AIA institutions.
• Serves as representative of the University at state, regional and national organizations, boards, councils, and committees as assigned.

Internal/External Relations:

• Represent NAU’s AIA liaison at relevant campus meetings.
• Anticipates and assists with preparation of, or prepare independently, documents, presentations, and reports.
• Maintains relationships with internal staff and faculty across the university in order to spark and facilitate individual and collective action toward AIA-affiliated goals.
• Effectively shares and communicates information and resources internally and externally to increase awareness, understanding, and support of the AIA mission and affiliated activities.

AIA Central Service:

• Support AIA staff in planning campus site visits, conferences, and multi-campus events
• Support proposal development and grant-related activities, as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field AND five years administrative/coordination experience; OR,
• Master's degree in field appropriate to area of assignment AND three years administrative/coordination experience; OR
• Any equivalent combination of experience and/or education from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.

Preferred Qualifications

• Evidence of experience working in Arizona higher education institutions.
• Evidence of commitment and passion to transforming higher education to increase access to education and improve outcomes for students within Arizona’s educational system.
• Track record of success in academic and professional settings.
• Master’s degree in any program.
• At least three years of relevant work experience (3-8 years preferred).
• Evidence of outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience with quantitative and qualitative data analysis.
• Knowledge of Design Thinking, Process Mapping, and other innovation techniques.
• Evidence of outstanding organization skills to manage projects across university units and across/among UIA institutions.
• Demonstrated commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity.

Please see nau.jobs for full job descriptions and details on how to apply online!  NAU is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution. Women, minorities, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.