Western Governors University
Senior Academic Initiatives Strategist
Edtech.com's Summary
Western Governors University is hiring a Senior Academic Initiatives Strategist. This role drives innovative academic initiatives, leads institutional strategic planning efforts, manages change for cross-functional project implementation, and advises stakeholders to improve student outcomes and expand educational opportunities.
Highlights
- Develop and implement innovative academic initiatives
- Lead multiple complex, institution-wide strategic planning efforts
- Manage change for successful cross-functional implementation and adoption
- Research program and student performance with focus on underserved populations
- Build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders
- Lead grant lifecycle management including research, proposal development, and post-award handling
- Serve as subject matter expert in student pathways, skills-based practices, digital credentialing, and work-based learning
- Maintain advanced project management, strategic thinking, and talent management skills
- Minimum qualifications include a Master's degree and 6 years of relevant progressive experience
- Salary range: $97,100 to $145,600 annually with comprehensive benefits and up to 20% travel required
Senior Academic Initiatives Strategist Full Description
If you're passionate about building a better future for individuals, communities, and our country—and you're committed to working hard to play your part in building that future—consider WGU as the next step in your career.
Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals. The university has pioneered a new way to learn in the 21st century, one that has received praise from academic, industry, government, and media leaders. Whatever your role, working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate, creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their families.
The salary range for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.
At WGU, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their position, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is:
Grade: Professional 311Pay Range: $97,100.00 - $145,600.00
Grade: Professional 311Pay Range: $97,100.00 - $145,600.00
Job Description
The Senior Academic Initiatives Strategist operates in a highly dynamic role designed to adapt strategically to evolving team needs. Drives innovative academic initiatives at the University, creating pathways to opportunity for students and supporting the university's Key Results. This role serves as a trusted advisor to internal and external stakeholders, ensuring successful integration of academic strategic initiatives. The position is pivotal in developing and executing innovative solutions that improve student outcomes and impact the learn-and-work ecosystem.
Job Duties
Develops and implements innovative solutions to advance academic initiatives.
Leads multiple complex, institution-wide academic strategic planning efforts and high-impact initiatives simultaneously.
Drives necessary change management for successful cross-functional implementation.
Ensures successful implementation and adoption of academic strategic initiatives.
Researches and gathers insights into program and student performance, with a focus on supporting access and completion for underserved populations.
Builds and maintains relationships with key internal and external stakeholders. Collaborates across the university to promote a "student-obsessed" environment.
Provides regular updates on initiative status to senior leaders.
Leads strategic planning for grant opportunities to support academic initiatives. Oversees the full grant lifecycle, including research, proposal development, and post-award management.
Serves as a subject matter expert in student pathways, skills-based practices, digital credentialing, and work-based learning.
Remains abreast of industry trends in the learn-and-work ecosystem.
Provides mentorship to inspire and develop colleagues.
Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
KSAs
Comprehensive understanding of higher education trends, challenges, and best practices in creating pathways to opportunity for students
In-depth knowledge of strategic planning and implementation in an academic setting
Advanced understanding of data-driven innovation and market trends in education
Thorough knowledge of student success metrics and strategies to improve credential value
Exceptional strategic thinking and ability to formulate bold, future-oriented visions
Strong leadership skills, including the ability to inspire, motivate, and build confidence among team members and stakeholders
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas and strategies to diverse audiences
Advanced project management and execution skills, ensuring accountability and buy-in across teams
Superior talent management skills, including hiring, developing, and retaining top performers
Ability to keep students at the center of decision-making processes and guide efforts to improve value for students and employers
Capacity to apply broad strategic direction to improve lives at a global scale
Ability to foster creative thinking and bring data-driven innovations to market successfully
Capability to define and drive success for the whole team, creating a sense of belonging and alignment with organizational mission and culture
Ability to exemplify and promote high standards of honesty, teamwork, transparency, and accountability
Capacity to work effectively in ambiguous and fast-paced environments, making tough decisions with incomplete information
Ability to adapt to and manage change while maintaining focus on long-term goals
Capability to deliver on commitments and motivate others to action
Minimum Qualifications
- Master's Degree in a related field
- 6 years of relevant, progressive experience in higher education, education technology, or related field.
Equivalent relevant experience performing the essential functions of this job may substitute for education degree requirements. Generally, equivalent relevant experience is defined as 1 year of experience for 1 year of education and is the discretion of the hiring manager.
Develops and implements innovative solutions to advance academic initiatives.
Leads multiple complex, institution-wide academic strategic planning efforts and high-impact initiatives simultaneously.
Drives necessary change management for successful cross-functional implementation.
Ensures successful implementation and adoption of academic strategic initiatives.
Researches and gathers insights into program and student performance, with a focus on supporting access and completion for underserved populations.
Builds and maintains relationships with key internal and external stakeholders. Collaborates across the university to promote a "student-obsessed" environment.
Provides regular updates on initiative status to senior leaders.
Leads strategic planning for grant opportunities to support academic initiatives. Oversees the full grant lifecycle, including research, proposal development, and post-award management.
Serves as a subject matter expert in student pathways, skills-based practices, digital credentialing, and work-based learning.
Remains abreast of industry trends in the learn-and-work ecosystem.
Provides mentorship to inspire and develop colleagues.
Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
KSAs
Comprehensive understanding of higher education trends, challenges, and best practices in creating pathways to opportunity for students
In-depth knowledge of strategic planning and implementation in an academic setting
Advanced understanding of data-driven innovation and market trends in education
Thorough knowledge of student success metrics and strategies to improve credential value
Exceptional strategic thinking and ability to formulate bold, future-oriented visions
Strong leadership skills, including the ability to inspire, motivate, and build confidence among team members and stakeholders
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas and strategies to diverse audiences
Advanced project management and execution skills, ensuring accountability and buy-in across teams
Superior talent management skills, including hiring, developing, and retaining top performers
Ability to keep students at the center of decision-making processes and guide efforts to improve value for students and employers
Capacity to apply broad strategic direction to improve lives at a global scale
Ability to foster creative thinking and bring data-driven innovations to market successfully
Capability to define and drive success for the whole team, creating a sense of belonging and alignment with organizational mission and culture
Ability to exemplify and promote high standards of honesty, teamwork, transparency, and accountability
Capacity to work effectively in ambiguous and fast-paced environments, making tough decisions with incomplete information
Ability to adapt to and manage change while maintaining focus on long-term goals
Capability to deliver on commitments and motivate others to action
Minimum Qualifications
- Master's Degree in a related field
- 6 years of relevant, progressive experience in higher education, education technology, or related field.
Equivalent relevant experience performing the essential functions of this job may substitute for education degree requirements. Generally, equivalent relevant experience is defined as 1 year of experience for 1 year of education and is the discretion of the hiring manager.
Preferred Qualifications
- PhD or Terminal Degree in a related field
- 3 years of skills implementation experience.
Job Description Disclaimer: This position description provides the major duties/responsibilities, requirements and working conditions for the position. It is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current position, however management reserves the right to revise or change as necessary to meet organizational needs. Other responsibilities may be assigned when circumstances require.
This position requires occasional travel of up to 20%, including required attendance at designated company summits (typically one to two per year). Additional travel may include conferences, visits to company locations, and other business-related events as needed. Additional travel may be assigned as needed to support business requirements.
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Position & Application Details
Full-Time Regular Positions (classified as regular and working 40 standard weekly hours): This is a full-time, regular position (classified for 40 standard weekly hours) that is eligible for bonuses; medical, dental, vision, telehealth and mental healthcare; health savings account and flexible spending account; basic and voluntary life insurance; disability coverage; accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity supplemental coverages; legal and identity theft coverage; retirement savings plan; wellbeing program; discounted WGU tuition; and flexible paid time off for rest and relaxation with no need for accrual, flexible paid sick time with no need for accrual, 11 paid holidays, and other paid leaves, including up to 12 weeks of parental leave.
Full-Time Regular Positions (classified as regular and working 40 standard weekly hours): This is a full-time, regular position (classified for 40 standard weekly hours) that is eligible for bonuses; medical, dental, vision, telehealth and mental healthcare; health savings account and flexible spending account; basic and voluntary life insurance; disability coverage; accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity supplemental coverages; legal and identity theft coverage; retirement savings plan; wellbeing program; discounted WGU tuition; and flexible paid time off for rest and relaxation with no need for accrual, flexible paid sick time with no need for accrual, 11 paid holidays, and other paid leaves, including up to 12 weeks of parental leave.
How to Apply: If interested, an application will need to be submitted online. Internal WGU employees will need to apply through the internal job board in Workday.
Additional Information
Disclaimer: The job posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements of the job. It's not all-inclusive.
Accommodations: Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation during the application or interview process should contact our Talent Acquisition team at recruiting@wgu.edu.
Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic as required by law.
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