Vice President Of Strategic Initiatives

The VP of Strategic Initiatives drives the implementation of programs, projects and complex initiatives that support operations at the agency level and Southwest Key Program’s vision for the future. Working under the direction of the Chief Operations Officer, the VP of Strategic Initiatives ensures that operations are primed to pivot even in a quickly changing environment. Additionally, they are responsible for supporting realignment of current departments, programs, or processes deemed top priority by the Office of the CEO and COO. This role will work to develop the “blueprints” necessary for implementing change in the immediate as well as beyond our present need. They will work closely with the PQI department to ensure we are collectively moving as an organization towards a culture of data and information. The VP of Strategic Initiatives will develop deep knowledge of departments, functions and initiatives as necessary, to ensure a consistent understanding of the current climate of the organization.    

• Collaborates with the office of the COO, CEO, and members of Executive Cabinet to develop and implement strategic priorities for the organization and contributes to the development of long-term direction-setting for the organization in working alongside cabinet members
• Works to enhance the internal organizational processes and infrastructure to support programs operations and the achievement of organization-wide strategic goals
• Ensures the protocols for monitoring progress, accountability and achievement accurately reflect the initial intent defined by the organization
• Ensures that Communications and Community Engagement are working harmoniously to drive information in/outside of the organization and build credibility
• Provides oversight for the entire Strategic Initiatives department, ensuring that projects are moving effortlessly, thoughtfully and accurately reflecting the strategic goals of the organization
• Responsible for extracting necessary insights gathered across the department in order to make comprehensive recommendations that improve problem solving, responsiveness, and evaluation across the organization
• Ensures that there is communication on operational efforts moving top down and bottom up, sensitive to corporate needs, employee goodwill, and the public image
• Regularly implements measures for assessment to identify new and/or lingering critical items needing attention and resources
• Develops implementation and evaluation models that push the operational health of our organization
• Maintains thorough knowledge of company's products, competition and broader market dynamics that frame business context now and in the near future
• Responsible for providing department updates to needed stakeholders and ad hoc reporting as requested
• Collaborates closely with PQI to ensure operational quality improvement, issue review and trend analysis drives the accomplishment of Strategic goals and initiatives

• Participates in board and cabinet functions; presenting critical information regularly
• Drives a culture of evaluation, problem solving, and efficiency through the vehicle of the department
• Pushes departments to adopt innovative approaches where opportunities are presented

• A master’s degree with at least 10 years working in an analytic/strategic role
• Communications skills: ability to develop rapport and credibility across the organization, and promote ideas and proposals persuasively to executives, peers and individual contributors
• Ability to effectively facilitate cross-functional teams.
• Ability to bring intellectual leadership and structure to ill-defined problems, and to synthesize insights from analysis to ensure credible, actionable recommendations
• Strong relationship builder and communicator with experience leading diverse work teams, engaging program staff, and partnering with executive leadership.
• Ability to deal with ambiguity, and comfortable providing alternative points of view to maximize the value alignment with current & future needs
• Demonstrated leadership skills and an ability to create a high performing, highly effective team environment.
• Strong business acumen skills and general management awareness
• Proven ability looking for ways to improve and promote quality while demonstrating accuracy and thoroughness.
• Strives to research, evaluate and implement best practices.
• Experience implementing change at the organization level

Must be able to read, write, and communicate both verbally and in written form to express and exchange ideas. While performing the responsibilities of this job, the employee must be able to access all components of work station and other office equipment. Frequent typing, writing, bending and twisting. Must be able to lift up to 30 pounds.

General office environment with moderate noise. This position is mostly sedentary, involves sitting most of the time, but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. A busy environment with many unscheduled interruptions. Frequent computer use at workstation for extended periods of time. Public contact position requiring appropriate business apparel.