Director of Strategic Initiatives and Special Projects

Wayne State College

Director of Strategic Initiatives and Special Projects

Academic Career & Executive Search is pleased to assist Wayne State College in its search for Director of Strategic Initiatives and Special Projects.

For best consideration, please apply by July 25th.

Wayne State College, a success story in higher ed, is enjoying year over year graduate and undergraduate enrollment growth of 28% as well as increased retention. Additionally, the College has made significant capital investments including major renovations of residence halls, Performing Arts Center, School of Education building, and is about to embark on a $26M Athletic Facility.

Reporting directly to the President, this position is ideal for a results-focused leader with a desire to drive transformative projects and make a lasting impact on strategic initiatives across the College. Utilizing a holistic, collective perspective to enhance partnerships and motivate stakeholders to action, the successful candidate is a self-starter with exceptional relationship building and communication skills and the ability to manage complex initiatives within a dynamic environment.

The Director of Strategic Initiatives and Special Projects drives the organizational strategic planning process and helps steward achievement of the strategic priorities of the President and the College. The Director will be a leader who can connect change to action across the College and is able to develop complex collaborations with internal and external collaborators. 

The position will be responsible for ensuring strategic action steps are prioritized and embedded into the operations of the institution.  The Director will utilize data to make independent, informed recommendations to the President, and will provide the leadership needed to ensure these special projects, which have a substantial impact on the College, are completed.

The Director provides expert advice, input, oversight, and leadership for the institution’s strategic plan, to include involvement in establishing objectives and initiating, managing, and leading key projects that involves other members of the administrative team. The Director of Continuing Education and Outreach reports to this position.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide advice and input to assist with establishing key objectives and goals for the College.
• Analyze and review strategic plan outcomes data to assess the institution’s progress toward achieving strategic goals and provide recommendations on new initiatives/programs to advance this work.
• Exercise independent judgement to determine the efficacy of institutional strategies using data analysis and predictive analytics.
• Use data to develop/create predictive models to design, implement, and review strategic actions for future planning. Coordinate on-going strategic planning efforts for the campus community as well as external stakeholders.
• Aid in the identification of internal and external resources as well as the expertise needed to achieve strategic goals.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement by tracking and reporting the impact of strategic initiatives.
• Collaborate with College Relations to communicate the College’s strategic plan and celebrate milestones.
• Manage both internal and external high-priority projects and programs designed to support the College’s vision and mission.
• Assist in preparing reports and presentations for internal and external stakeholders.
• Research, analyze, and interpret information to advance special projects that have a

substantial impact on the College’s operations.

• Other duties as assigned by the President.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree
• Leadership Experience
• 3 years of experience in planning and managing strategic projects
• Experience implementing and monitoring strategic plans
• Demonstrate proficiency in using project management and data visualization tools to

track progress on both initiatives and key performance indicators, preferably with Microsoft toolset, including 0365 and PowerBi

About the Institution

Wayne State College serves as a model of success for regional public higher education. Investments in infrastructure and facilities, expanded academic programs and partnerships, a whole-campus approach to recruitment and retention, and a commitment to strategic planning have yielded 28% growth in enrollment during the past six years, soaring to more than 4,500 students.

Increased opportunities at Wayne State have not come with a higher price tag for students. Our aggressive work to keep costs down while leveraging scholarships and aid have resulted in the average indebtedness for graduates decreasing each year for the past four years, from $23,599 to $18,088, while the percentage of students graduating with zero debt has grown to 35% from 31% during the same period.

The College’s momentum is sustained by a data-driven blueprint that aims to inspire students, strengthen communities, and serve our region. Our goals are clear: continually improve retention and graduation rates, provide high-quality academic programs and campus facilities, support workforce and economic development in the region, maintain affordability and access, and manage resources for sustainability.

Our physical campus is beautiful and well-positioned to meet our needs. Careful planning and stewardship have brought about a newly built Center for Applied Technology, several completely renovated residence halls, academic buildings, and athletic facilities, and an inviting Campus Commons area at the center of a 128-acre campus that speaks directly to visitors about the pride we have in our history and traditions.

Alongside our commitment to the physical campus, the College’s vision, mission, and core values precisely define our highest aspirations, our commitment to the students we educate, and the guidance we have set for ourselves and our important work.

Our vision states that “Wayne State creates an environment of rigorous teaching, active learning, and meaningful service that engages students on a path to transformational leadership.” Our mission states that “Wayne State inspires students through access to affordable, high quality academic programs, personalized support services, and a culture committed to diversity, sustainability, and creativity. The College strengthens communities by engaging students in experiential learning and leadership opportunities. Wayne State serves the region through cultural opportunities, strategic partnerships, and innovative economic development programs.”

We believe in ourselves and work hard each day to help our community achieve its dreams. The College’s core values around diversity, engaged learning, sustainability, innovation and agility, partnerships, and culture and community guide the strategies and the execution of the mission while serving as the foundation for Wayne State’s work.

Wayne State started its life as a Normal School in 1891, became a state school in 1910, and was renamed Wayne State College by the Nebraska legislature in 1963. We have become a

leading comprehensive college in Northeast Nebraska, with 15 academic departments within four academic schools and more than 130 career pathways.

Wayne State students, staff, faculty, alumni, and friends hold this institution in high regard for a reason. The College was borne out of the hard work, tenacity, and grit of early leaders and has been sustained and advanced by the same spirit throughout its history. We invite prospective students and employees to join us on our mission. Learn more at www.wsc.edu.

Living in the Area

Located in scenic northeast Nebraska, Wayne offers the vibrancy of a small college town combined with an outdoor lover’s dream with rolling hills and prairies. The area is rich with hiking and mountain bike trails as well as beautiful State Parks and the Lewis & Clark recreation center. In addition, Wayne enjoys a cost of living 16.2% lower than the national average. The public schools in Wayne are consistently rated above average. Additionally, Wayne residents enjoy low crime rates and lower than the national average housing prices.

Wayne is southwest of Sioux City, Iowa; northwest of Omaha, Nebraska; and north of Lincoln, Nebraska. Wayne is less than 2 hours from Omaha, Nebraska’s largest city offering every recreational and cultural amenity including restaurants, shopping, museums, zoos, aquariums, and theatre. The Old Market and its cobblestone streets are lined with galleries, shops, breweries, and restaurants. 

To Apply 

For best consideration, please apply by July 25th

To be viewed by the search firm, you must apply directly at:  https://acesrch.applicantstack.com/x/detail/a21esjyggddh

Please do not email applications.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received and should include a cover letter and curriculum vita. All applications are treated confidentially.

Inquiries, referrals, and nominations are treated confidentially:

Inquiries and questions: Please send to wscdirectorsisp@acesrch.com

Nominations and referrals: Please send to nominations@acesrch.com

Institution’s EEO Statement

The Nebraska State Colleges are equal opportunity institutions and do not discriminate against any student, employee, or applicant on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, religion, or age in employment and education opportunities. Each College has designated an individual to coordinate the Colleges’ non-discrimination efforts to comply with regulations implementing Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies and practices may be directed to the Compliance Coordinators assigned at each College and identified on each College website.