Assistant Director of Strategic Initiatives: Cultivating Conversation and Dialogue

Assistant Director, Cultivating Conversation Initiative

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Reporting to the Chief of Staff and Assistant Vice President for Strategy and Operations in the Office of the Secretary and Vice President for University Life (OSVPUL), the Assistant Director serves as the program manager for the university-wide Cultivating Conversation initiative and related University Life programming. This position requires a high degree of independence and is responsible for coordinating the operational planning and execution of programs that advance the university's commitment to collaborative excellence and engaging across difference.

The Assistant Director provides day-to-day operational leadership for the initiative, ensuring the successful planning, coordination, and delivery of workshops, events, meetings, and related activities. The role oversees all aspects of program logistics, including venue and vendor coordination, catering, event promotion and communications, registration management, staffing coordination, preparation of program materials, and on-site event execution. The Assistant Director coordinates the logistics and hospitality for external speakers, facilitators, and partner organizations; serves as the primary operational liaison for campus and external stakeholders; and ensures a high-quality experience for participants and guests.

The Assistant Director supports related committees and working groups, maintains project plans, operational documentation, and budget tracking records, supports purchasing and payment processes, and monitors project timelines to ensure activities remain on schedule. The position assists in the implementation of assessment and evaluation processes, tracks program participation and outcomes, contributes to reports and dashboards, and uses data to support continuous improvement and informed decision-making.

The Assistant Director supervises and coordinates the work of student employees and temporary staff supporting the initiative, providing training, scheduling, and day-to-day direction to ensure high-quality program delivery. Working collaboratively across the university, the Assistant Director develops and implements operational processes that improve efficiency while maintaining a high standard of customer service and attention to detail. The successful candidate will be highly organized, responsive, service-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities simultaneously while anticipating needs, solving problems creatively, and exercising sound judgment in a fast-paced environment. The Assistant Director may perform other duties as assigned.

Required Skills and Abilities 1. Excellent interpersonal and relationship management skills. Ability to build productive relationships with diverse stakeholders using tact, discretion, diplomacy, and sound judgment while maintaining confidentiality and representing Yale professionally.

2. Outstanding verbal and written communication skills. Ability to prepare reports, correspondence, presentations, and promotional materials, communicate effectively with diverse audiences, and convey information clearly and professionally.

3. Demonstrated experience planning and executing meetings, workshops, and events. Strong project management, organizational, and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines. 4. Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively, manage multiple projects, improve operational processes, supervise student employees, and exercise initiative, creativity, accountability, and sound judgment in a fast-paced environment. 5. Highly responsive, dependable, and service-oriented professional with excellent judgment and integrity. Proficient with Microsoft 365 applications, budget tracking, data collection, and program assessment to support continuous improvement.

Preferred Skills, Education, and Experience 1. Demonstrated record of project or program management, communications and/or events management and production, particularly in higher education.

2. Experience working effectively with faculty, university leaders and administrators, students, and alumni.

3. Proven record of accomplishment working with sensitive or confidential information.

4. Advanced degree preferred.

Principal Responsibilities 1. Oversees the advancement and growth of the program. Gives direction and leadership supporting the philosophy, mission, strategy, and annual goals and objectives. Assumes primary accountability for disseminating and publishing all program information to create public awareness and support of the program. 2. Works closely with leadership, internal and external colleagues, and community residents to further develop and implement strategic plans. 3. Identifies, solicits, and cultivates community partnerships and collaborations to assist in the development and growth of the program. Develops the metrics to identify and measure the success of the program. Responsible for measurements of grant success and related evaluation. 4. Assists in identifying and evaluating potential future funding sources, and contributes to the submission of grants and contracts supporting the program, including the annual submission and writing of all content areas and budgetary sections of grant applications. Develops and manages the program's operating budget. 5. Develops the administrative infrastructure of the program. Manages human resource and administrative functions of the program, including staffing and hiring, supervision, performance development, counseling and discipline, if warranted. Oversees and manages information systems, facilities, and space needs. 6. Investigates, identifies, implements, and oversees the maintenance of systems to gather, track, and report information to support the initiatives of the program. Tracks all program activities and regularly informs leadership of progress on each initiative. Recommends structural or programmatic adjustments, changes or additions based on full knowledge of missions, goals, and objectives. 7. Initiates, designs, and manages the compilation of program communications; identifying outreach potential, and promoting philanthropic and collaborative support of the program. Contributes to the development and assists in the management of content on the program's website and monitors all changes and additions to the editorial content.

Required Education and Experience Bachelor's degree in a related field and four years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.