Strategic Planning Consultant

Strategic Planning Consultant

Client: Oregon Arts Commission (Oregon Business Development Department)

Location: Remote / Hybrid (Oregon, USA)

Job Type: Independent Consultant | Contract | 9-Month Project

Position Summary:

The Oregon Arts Commission is seeking an experienced Strategic Planning Consultant to lead the development of a comprehensive two-year strategic plan . The consultant will facilitate an inclusive planning process that engages commissioners, staff, artists, grantees, tribal communities, cultural organizations, and statewide stakeholders to create a clear, actionable roadmap with measurable goals and implementation priorities.

This role requires expertise in strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, organizational assessment, workshop facilitation, and public-sector consulting.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning & Project Leadership

• Lead the complete strategic planning process from project initiation through final adoption.
• Develop a detailed project work plan, timeline, milestones, and communication strategy.
• Facilitate kickoff meetings with executive leadership, commissioners, and project teams.
• Manage project deliverables while ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and deadlines.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Design and facilitate statewide stakeholder engagement activities, including interviews, focus groups, listening sessions, and workshops.
• Develop and administer online surveys to gather community feedback across Oregon.
• Engage diverse communities, including artists, arts organizations, tribal partners, educators, rural communities, and cultural leaders.
• Ensure equitable, inclusive, and culturally responsive participation throughout the planning process.

Research & Organizational Assessment

• Conduct environmental scans and sector research to identify emerging trends affecting Oregon's arts and cultural sector.
• Perform SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis with staff and commissioners.
• Analyze stakeholder feedback and organizational data to identify strategic priorities.
• Prepare an Insights Report summarizing key findings, opportunities, and challenges.

Strategy Development

• Facilitate collaborative strategic planning workshops.
• Develop organizational vision, mission, values, strategic goals, and measurable objectives.
• Create implementation priorities, performance indicators, and evaluation measures.
• Recommend governance and accountability practices that support long-term success.

Reporting & Presentation

• Prepare professional reports, presentation materials, and executive summaries.
• Present draft and final strategic plans to the Oregon Arts Commission Board.
• Incorporate stakeholder feedback into final deliverables.
• Deliver a polished strategic plan ready for board approval and implementation.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Business, Organizational Development, Arts Administration, Planning, or a related field.
• Minimum 7 years of professional experience in strategic planning, organizational consulting, or public-sector facilitation.
• Demonstrated experience leading strategic planning projects for government, nonprofit, or arts and cultural organizations.
• Strong facilitation, presentation, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Excellent analytical, research, writing, and project management abilities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in a related discipline.
• Experience working with state agencies, public boards, or cultural institutions.
• Knowledge of equity-centered community engagement practices.
• Familiarity with Oregon's arts, culture, and creative economy landscape.
• Experience designing strategic performance metrics and implementation frameworks.

Expected Deliverables:

• Project Management & Communication Plan
• Stakeholder Engagement Strategy
• Environmental Scan & Research Summary
• SWOT Analysis Report
• Stakeholder Insights Report
• Strategic Planning Workshop Materials
• Draft Two-Year Strategic Plan
• Final Strategic Plan with Implementation Roadmap
• Executive Presentation for Board Adoption

Success Measures:

The successful consultant will deliver a strategic plan that reflects community voices, establishes clear organizational priorities, includes measurable outcomes, and provides an actionable roadmap to strengthen the Oregon Arts Commission's impact across the state.