Summary
The Senior Director of Strategic Planning and Management oversees the development and execution of strategy and ensures efficient and effective management practices for the U.S. Programs & Advocacy (USPA) Division. Partnering with USPA's SMT, the Senior Director leads the strategic and annual planning process, monitors progress against goals, and makes recommendations for adjustments as needed. He/she also works closely with the SMT to facilitate effective decision-making; this includes convening and facilitating regular SMT meetings and retreats. Additionally, he/she manages internal communications and serves as the point-person for agency priority projects, including continuous improvement, innovation, and knowledge management.
What You'll Be Doing (Essential Duties)
- Direct strategic and annual business plans for division. (20%)
- Oversee development of strategic and annual business plans. Ensure plans are well-aligned both across USPA and between USPA and relevant divisions within the agency. Monitor progress toward goals and provide strategic counsel to SMT to ensure goals are met or adjusted as needed.
- In partnership with Associate Vice President of Finance & Operations and Senior Director of Resource Development, ensure annual budgets are aligned with plans and revenue forecasts.
- Ensure efficient and effective management practices across division. (35%)
- Convene regular SMT and ESMT meetings and retreats. Develop agendas, facilitate discussion, and ensure follow through on action items.
- Along with Associate Vice President of Finance & Operations, oversee implementation of policies and procedures. Work with SMT to ensure adherence and provide training as needed.
- Provide guidance to senior staff on strategy, operations, personnel and other issues.
- Oversee internal communications and knowledge management. (20%)
- Develop and implement plans for ensuring efficient and effective communications within USPA, including Head Start program staff, field staff, and other remote workers. Evaluate and manage newsletters, town hall meetings, and other internal communications vehicles.
- Develop and implement plans for improving knowledge management across the division and between the division and the agency. Evaluate existing platforms and vehicles and work with department heads to set minimum standards and ensure they are met.
- Ensure strong coordination with agency and oversee agency priority projects. (25%)
- Work with senior staff to ensure key initiatives have buy-in and support from counterparts within the larger agency.
- Serve as the point-person for agency priority projects, including continuous improvement, innovation, and knowledge management. Work with SMT to develop and implement plans for each project.
- Ensure USPA has good representation at agency meetings (all staff meetings, quarterly business reviews, etc.), as well as staff development programs and other training opportunities.
Required Qualifications
- You have a minimum 10-15 years' experience in area of expertise.
- Significant experience as the point person for organizational innovation and continuous improvement.
- Bachelor's degree.
- Strong management and strategic planning, prioritization, and execution skills.
- Proven ability to set up effective systems of coordination.
- Strong written and oral communication skills.
- Proven track record of effectively interacting with senior management.
- Ability to work strategically and collaboratively across departments.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Experience working in a start-up campaign or initiative.
- Ability to adapt to a changing work environment and develop creative solutions to strategic challenges.
What's In It for You
- Meaningful work, with the knowledge that you are changing the lives of children all around the world
- A family friendly work environment
- Highly collaborative and innovative teams
- Generous paid vacation days, holidays, family leave days, and sick time
- Healthcare plans including medical, dental, and life insurance
- Retirement savings account with matching company contributions
- Structured and formalized management development and coaching programs for mid and senior level managers
- Extensive e-learning opportunities on a variety of topics offered through our affiliation with several prestigious universities and with the American Management Association, as well as language learning opportunities
Save the Children invests in childhood – every day, in times of crisis and for our future. In the United States and around the world, we are dedicated to ensuring every child has the best chance for success. Our pioneering programs give children a healthy start, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. Our advocacy efforts provide a voice for children who cannot speak for themselves. As the leading expert on children, we inspire and achieve lasting impact for millions of the world's most vulnerable girls and boys. By transforming children's lives now, we change the course of their future and ours.
Save the Children is committed to conducting its programs and operations in a manner that is safe for the children it serves and helping protect the children with whom Save the Children is in contact. All Save the Children representatives are explicitly prohibited from engaging in any activity that may result in any kind of child abuse. In addition, it is Save the Children's policy to create and proactively maintain an environment that aims to prevent and deter any actions and omissions, whether deliberate or inadvertent, that place children at the risk of any kind of child abuse. All our representatives are expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with this commitment and obligation. Any violations of this policy will be treated as a serious issue.
We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, ancestry, sexual orientation, national origin, age, handicap, disability, marital status, or status as a veteran. Save the Children complies with all applicable laws.