Strategic Initiatives PM and Advisor
Posted today
grinnell collegeGrinnell (IA)
Project Management SpecialistsColleges, Universities, and Professional Schools
SENIORITY
Manager
About the role
The Business Office Strategic Initiatives Advisor serves as atrusted strategic partner to the Vice President for Finance andTreasurer, driving high-impact initiatives and advancing thedivision’s priorities. This role provides leadership acrossstrategic planning, operational excellence, communication strategy,governance support, and special projects, ensuring alignment andmomentum across the Business Office.
Working in close collaboration with departmental leaders in HumanResources, Accounting, Risk Management, Facilities Management, andAuxiliary Services (Dining Services, Pioneer Bookshop, the MailRoom, the GC Golf Course, and the Office of Event Coordination andScheduling), the Advisor helps shape and execute initiatives thatenhance operational effectiveness, support informeddecision-making, and deliver measurable outcomes on complex,cross-functional projects.
As a central connector within the Business Office, the Advisorserves as a key liaison among senior leadership, trustees,departmental teams, and campus stakeholders. Through this work, therole ensures strong alignment between strategic goals, operationalpriorities, communications, and project execution—ultimatelystrengthening the division’s impact and cohesion.
Key Responsibilities
Drive High-Impact Initiatives: Lead and orchestratecross-functional strategic, operational, technology, and processimprovement efforts. Develop clear project roadmaps, implementationtimelines, milestones, and success metrics that ensure measurableoutcomes.
Champion Transformation and Innovation: Support theimplementation of new systems, technologies, and operatingmodels—helping departments modernize, streamline operations, andenhance service delivery.
Serve as a Trusted Strategic Partner: Act as a key advisor andthought partner to the Vice President for Finance and Treasurer,facilitating alignment across the division and ensuring effectivecommunication and coordination with senior leaders andtrustees.
Shape and Amplify the Division’s Voice: Develop and delivercompelling communications—ranging from presentations and reports tonewsletters 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 andperformance metrics, to inform strategic planning, enabledata-driven decision-making, and track progress against divisionalgoals.
ABOUT GRINNELL COLLEGE
Grinnell College is a top-ranking private liberal arts institutionthat values diversity, equity, inclusion, intellectual freedom, andsocial responsibility. We seek candidates that align with thesevalues and have the ability and desire to advance our values andbelonging within our community and the communities we engage. Idealcandidates will be prepared to collaborate and contribute to themission 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 oroperations 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 maintainingattention to detail and quality.
Preferred Qualifications
Masters Degree in any of the forementioned fields
Experience working in higher education
Project management certification or equivalent trainingpreferred.
Proven experience with website content management systems,project management software, and data reporting tools.
Experience supporting executive leadership and governanceactivities
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