Director of Strategic Relations

Job Description:

The Director of Strategic Relations is a key member of the President’s Cabinet and provides leadership to the Office of the President in fulfilling the mission of Kansas City University. The incumbent will possess a commitment to integrity and an ability to effectively support the President on a wide range of strategic issues.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Provides leadership and operational oversight for the Office of the President, conveying an atmosphere of excellence and distinction, in support of the University’s mission, vision, and strategic goals.
• Advises the President, provides a sounding board, counsels on sensitive matters, and ensures the President has all the information necessary to make informed decisions.
• Facilitates positive interactions between the university and select community leaders.
• Provides excellent judgment, diplomacy, and understanding of issues to support the President.
• Keeps pulse on proposals and legislative matters that may affect and/or have an impact on the University.
• Serves as liaison to ensure a coordinated approach to initiatives across campus and with outside constituents.
• From time to time, may serves as liaison to the Board of Trustees at the discretion of the President.
• Builds and nurtures relationships to serve as a resource for the President and point of contact as designated for key constituents to resolve complex issues and help advance strategic priorities.
• Represents the President and the University in various civic, community and professional organizations.
• Collaborates with the University Relations department in the creation of executive-level communications including talks, speeches, reports, and presentations that appropriately reflect the President and University’s strategic focus.
• Assists the President with correspondence and messaging dealing with critical and sensitive subject matter.
• Works to advance a wide range of initiatives, programs, projects, events for the Office of the President.
• Ensures the accurate, proper, and timely flow of information to and from the Office of the President in support of the mission and vision of KCU.
• Oversees and supervises all activities related to the positions of Executive and Senior Executive Assistant to the President.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s Degree plus five years of experience at the executive leadership level.
• Strong managerial and team building skills, and demonstrated ability to motivate and empower direct and indirect reports to achieve area priorities.
• Excellent project management skills, attention to detail, and collaboration with senior individuals from throughout the University.
• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal skills along with strong organizational skills.
• Demonstrated experience exercising judgment, project planning and goal accomplishment; wide degree of professional maturity and discretion expected.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with a diverse faculty, staff, student body, alumni and community.
• Proven expertise in planning and executing operational plans, managing projects and/or programs, budgeting and cost control.
• General understanding of the external environment and how it affects academia including political, legal, environmental, educational, financial and social influences.
• Proven ability to work independent of direct supervision and take initiative without specific instructions.
• Models inclusive excellence through specific actions that support KCU’s diversity commitment.
• Ability to develop effective work systems and procedures.
• Ability to create a welcoming environment for the President’s Office.
• Ability to deal with constantly changing demands, frequent interruptions, and scheduling changes while remaining organized and seeing projects through to completion.
• In-depth knowledge of related areas of the University and pertinent interdependencies.
• Ability to partner with others across the University and externally to exchange information, collaborate on projects, share resources.
• Ability to influence others regarding an idea or plan of action and to gain their support or commitment.
• Strong negotiation skills and ability to reach mutual points of agreement and benefit among peers and colleagues.

PREFERED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Graduate Degree (ie. JD, doctorate or master’s level).
• Demonstrated experience in report writing and data analysis skills.
• Demonstrated experience in project management, speech writing, planning, and presentations.
• Strong knowledge of University structure, policies and practices.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Active office environment
• May use computer keyboards requiring eye-hand coordination and finger dexterity.
• Balancing, crouching, grasping, pulling, reaching and stooping may also be required.

Equal Opportunity Employer

KCU is committed to promoting an equal employment opportunity workplace. Equal opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, genetic information (GINA), physical or mental disability, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, familial status, ancestry, military and/or veteran status, and/or any other status protected by applicable Federal, state or local law.

Annual Security Report

KCU is committed to providing a safe campus for students, faculty, and staff. Our annual campus security report lists campus crimes and statistics for the campus and public areas around campus for the last three years, in accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act.

Thank you for your interest in a career at KCU!