Michigan State University
Director of Strategic Initiatives / Chief of Staff
🇺🇸
Hybrid - East Lansing, MI
🕑
Full-Time
💰
TBD
💻
Other
🗓️
March 13th, 2026
Edtech.com's Summary
The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources is hiring a Director of Strategic Initiatives / Chief of Staff. The role involves driving innovative revenue generation through branding, partnerships, and licensing while managing strategic projects aligned with college and university priorities. The position requires leadership in navigating complex environments and delivering business-focused solutions.
Highlights
- Lead innovative revenue generation efforts including branding, naming opportunities, advertising partnerships, intellectual property commercialization, and licensing agreements.
- Manage and coordinate strategic projects ensuring compliance with federal mandates and alignment with university and college priorities.
- Apply strong business acumen, strategic thinking, and creative problem-solving skills.
- Must have exceptional communication, negotiation, and influential leadership abilities.
- Require proficiency with project management tools and ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
- Minimum qualifications include a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Management, or related field with 5-8 years of relevant work experience.
- Experience in business development, revenue generation, strategic initiatives, and managing complex projects is essential.
- Preferred qualifications include advanced degrees (MBA or related), project management certification (PMP, CAPM), and familiarity with technology transfer, entrepreneurship, and sponsorship agreements.
- The role reports directly to the Dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and involves collaborating with cross-functional teams in a large decentralized organization.
- Position designated as remote-friendly with an expectation of onsite presence at least 80% of workdays.
Director of Strategic Initiatives / Chief of Staff Full Description
Working/Functional Title
Director of Strategic Initiatives
Position Summary
Reporting directly to the Dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the Director of Strategic Initiatives advances the college’s mission through two core functions:
- Revenue Generation – Identifying, developing, and implementing innovative revenue models such as branding and naming opportunities, advertising partnerships, intellectual property commercialization, licensing agreements, and other creative strategies within a university context.
- Strategic Project Management – Leading and coordinating a wide range of projects throughout the year, including compliance with federal mandates, university-driven initiatives, and college-level priorities.
The ideal candidate is business-savvy, creative, and highly collaborative, with a proven ability to navigate complex environments and influence outcomes. This role requires a self-starter who is organized, an exceptional communicator, and a problem-solver who focuses on solutions rather than obstacles. This is a non-supervisory role. This position will be expected to be on site a minimum of 80% of workdays in a month.
Necessary Skills and Competencies:
- Business acumen and strategic thinking.
- Creative problem-solving and ability to overcome barriers.
- High emotional intelligence and relationship-building skills.
- Self-starter with flexibility and resilience.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication.
- Ability to navigate complex organizational structures and exercise influential leadership.
Minimum Requirements
Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in Business Administration, Accounting, Management or related field; five to eight years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in financial management and analysis. Demonstrated track record of success in business development, revenue generation, and/or strategic initiatives—regardless of specific degree. Significant experience managing complex projects and leading cross-functional teams. Strong ability to build relationships and influence stakeholders in a large, decentralized organization. Excellent communication, negotiation, and organizational skills. Proficiency with project management tools and ability to manage multiple priorities effectively; or an equivalent combination of education and experience
Desired Qualifications
- Advanced degree (MBA, Higher Education Leadership, or related field) is a plus but not required.
- Experience in higher education or nonprofit environments.
- Familiarity with one or more of the following: business model development, technology transfer, entrepreneurship, licensing, branding, sponsorship agreements, or similar.
- Project management certification (PMP, CAPM) or similar credentials.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.
Required Application Materials
Please submit a cover letter and resume.
Special Instructions
Cover letter should state how experiences and interests align with the job description. Please include three professional references in your application.
Work Hours
STANDARD 8-5
Website
https://www.canr.msu.edu/
Remote Work Statement
MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.
Bidding eligibility ends February 24, 2026 at 11:55 P.M.
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