Director of Strategic Initiatives

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Description

Position Details:

The Opportunity:

As the Director of Strategic Initiatives to the Dean of the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS), you serve as a trusted advisor, strategist, and integrator who ensures the College operates efficiently and effectively in pursuit of its mission. You will bridge strategic priorities with operational execution, helping CAHNRS deliver transformative teaching, research, and Extension programs that serve the people, industries, and communities of Washington State and beyond.

In this role, you act as the Dean’s principal advisor, strategic partner, and operational leader, reporting directly to the Dean and providing high-level support in advancing CAHNRS’s mission statewide and beyond.

As a key member of the leadership team, you collaborate closely with associate and assistant deans, department chairs, directors, faculty, and university partners to implement the Dean’s strategic vision and support initiatives that promote excellence in academics, research, Extension, outreach, and organizational effectiveness. You represent the Dean to internal and external stakeholders, facilitate coordination across administrative and academic units, and ensure that priorities and initiatives are executed effectively.

In doing so, you exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and manage complex issues with professionalism and integrity. Success in this role requires a deep understanding of the land‑grant mission, strong analytical and organizational skills, and the ability to communicate clearly with diverse audiences. You will operate in a fast-paced, multifaceted academic environment, balancing multiple priorities with attention to detail, and may occasionally travel within Washington State or work evenings and weekends as needed.

Additional Information:

This is a full time (100% FTE), permanent position. This position is overtime exempt.

Monthly Salary: $9,342.00 – $14,917.00 | Commensurate with experience and qualifications

In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate’s current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.

Benefits: WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation, optional supplemental retirement accounts; training and development; and employee tuition waiver. For additional information, please review the detailed Summary of Benefits offered by WSU for AP staff and Total Compensation.

Required Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in a related field (preference for business administration, public administration, higher education administration, or agricultural sciences).

  • At least 6 years of progressively responsible administrative or leadership experience in higher education, research administration, or public-sector management.

  • Demonstrated experience managing complex projects, programs, or organizational initiatives.

  • Strong skills in strategic planning, organizational management, and operational execution.

  • Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective relationships across diverse stakeholders.

  • Proven ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and manage sensitive issues.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Master’s degree, Doctorate degree, or terminal degree in a field relevant to CAHNRS disciplines or Business administration.

  • Experience working within a land-grant university or similar organization with research and Extension missions.

  • Demonstrated success in leading cross-functional teams and managing organizational change.

  • Experience with fiscal management, policy development, and human resources operations.

  • Familiarity with Washington State University policies, systems, and administrative structures.

  • Experience engaging with agricultural industries, government agencies, or community partners and event management.

Our Mission: Building a Resilient Washington Together

College: The College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS)

Location: Pullman, WA

Application Instructions: Applicants must upload the following required documents to their online application. Application materials should clearly communicate how the applicant meets all required qualifications and additional requirements.

1) Resume
2) Cover Letter

External candidates, upload all documents in the “Application Document” section of your application.
Current WSU Employees (internal candidates), before starting your Workday application, please use these instructions to update your education and experience in your worker profile in Workday. Internal candidates, upload all documents in the “Resume/Cover Letter” section of your application.

Documents may be submitted as one file or separate files. Applicants are encouraged to upload as a PDF, if possible.

Reference contact information will be requested later in the recruitment process through Workday.

Background Check: This position has been designated by the department to require a background check because it requires access to children or vulnerable adults as defined by RCW 74.34, engages in law enforcement, requires security clearance, interacts with WSU students in a counseling or advising capacity, has access to personal identifying and/or financial information, unsupervised access to university buildings/property, or other business-related need. A background check will not be completed until an initial determination of qualification for employment has been made.

 

Time Type:

Full time

 

Position Term:

12 Month

Washington State University encourages all qualified candidates to apply, including members of the military and veterans, and persons with disabilities.

WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

WSU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource Services: 509-335-4521 (v), Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-800-833-6384; TDD Callers: 1-800-833-6388, 509-335-1259(f), or hrs@wsu.edu.

Notice of Non-Discrimination

In matters of admission, employment, housing or services, or in the educational programs or activities it operates, WSU does not discriminate or permit discrimination by any member of its community against any individual on the basis of sex, race, color, national or ethnic origin, physical disability, mental disability, sensory disability, use of a trained service animal, age, religion, creed, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, honorably discharged veteran, member of the military, or immigration or citizenship status except as authorized by federal or state law, regulation, or government contract.

Inquiries about the application of federal and state laws and regulations (including inquiries regarding the application of Title IX, ADA/Section 504, and implementing regulations), as well as reports and complaints of discrimination and harassment, can be made verbally or in writing to WSU’s Compliance and Civil Rights, the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights, or both.

More information, resources, and contact information are available here: https://ccr.wsu.edu/notice-of-nondiscrimination/

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