Director of Strategic Initiatives (Academic Affairs Director) **POSITION DETAILS** Founded in 1971 in Long Island City, Queens **,** LaGuardia Community College is one of seven community colleges of the City University of New York (CUNY). LaGuardia offers more than sixty associate degree programs and more than fifty workforce training, ESOL, GED, and pre-college programs. In 2023, LaGuardia served approximately 24,000 students. More than one-third of LaGuardia’s degree-seeking students are born outside the United States; they come from 136 countries and speak 43 heritage languages. Sixty percent are first-generation college students. Virtually all LaGuardia students are ethnic minorities (89 percent), 58 percent are women, 27 percent are over the age of 25. Forty-six percent of associate degree students are Hispanic. Upon graduation most students transfer to four-year colleges, typically in CUNY, to complete their baccalaureate degrees. Graduates of career programs such as Nursing, Computer Technology, and Veterinary Technology enter the workforce. LaGuardia ranked fifth among U.S. community colleges in economic mobility – moving low-income students into the middle class and beyond – in studies by Stanford University (2017) and the Brookings Institution (2020).Please visit www.laguardia.edu to learn more. The Director of Strategic Initiatives serves as a key leader in the Office of the Provost, driving academic initiatives that align with institutional priorities and advance LaGuardia’s 2025–2029 Strategic Plan, especially its Teaching and Learning goals. This role is responsible for facilitating the design, implementation, and ongoing assessment of initiatives that promote student success, with an emphasis on: + Ensuring students build the competencies, skills, and dispositions needed for success in education and careers; + Ensuring all students benefit from meaningful academic advising; and + Increasing transfer rates to four-year institutions. The Director plays a central role in project management and institutional planning efforts, including tracking progress toward strategic goals, using academic data to inform decision-making, and coordinating cross-campus efforts that improve student outcomes. Reporting to the Provost, the Director will be responsible for the following: **Strategic Leadership & Institutional Alignment** + Collaborate with the Provost to drive strategic initiatives that align with the 2025–2029 Strategic Plan and accreditation requirements. + Design and execute cross-functional initiatives with a focus on improving retention, degree completion, and transfer outcomes. + Lead project management efforts related to strategic priorities, including setting timelines, coordinating resources, and tracking milestones and deliverables. + Promote the use of academic and institutional data to identify barriers to student progression and inform resource allocation. + Build capacity to grow a culture of continuous improvement and increase institutional use of data in decision-making and resource allocation. + Serve as a point of contact for department chairs, faculty, and staff seeking guidance, support, or information from the Office of the Provost. + Ensure that Academic Affairs is strategically leveraging technology to collaborate and communicate effectively internally and in providing support to faculty, staff, and students. **Transfer Engagement & Evaluation** + Serve as a key institutional representative in consortia and partnership networks that support student transfer and academic mobility. + Strengthen and maintain external partnerships with institutions including Vassar, Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, Kaplan, NYU CCTOP, MIT, Columbia, Swarthmore, Georgetown, and others, and build new collaborations. + Oversee institutional coordination for selective national and institutional scholarships and other opportunities related to transfer and honors programming. + Collaborate with colleagues across CUNY to develop and implement a seamless transfer experience that enables students to successfully transition between CUNY campuses. + Monitor and assess transition success for students enrolled in LaGuardia’s Adult and Continuing Education division, and work with stakeholders to close equity gaps in enrollment and retention in degree programs. **Academic Supports** + Collaborate with colleagues in Academic Affairs and across the College, particularly in Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, to improve academic student support structures, processes, and outcomes. + Increase student access to and use of tutoring services and other academic interventions as part of a broader strategy to support student success. **Resource Management & Grant Development** + Manage budgets and resources for strategic initiatives, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities. + Work closely with institutional advancement and sponsored programs teams on proposal development, grant writing, and outcome reporting. **Communications & Stakeholder Engagement** + Assist the Provost in communications with internal and external stakeholders, including academic departments, college leadership, and external partners. + Represent the Office of the Provost in working groups, committees, and campus-wide strategic planning efforts. + Assist the Provost with other duties as assigned. **QUALIFICATIONS** Bachelor's Degree and eight years' relevant experience required. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS + Master’s degree or Ph.D.in higher education administration, public administration, policy, or a related field preferred. + 7+ years of progressive leadership experience in higher education, with demonstrated success in strategic planning, academic initiatives, or student success programming. + Deep knowledge of higher education transfer systems and partnership development. + Demonstrated experience managing large-scale academic or institutional projects with measurable outcomes. + Strong project management and organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities and track progress against goals. + Experience with grant writing, budgeting, and resource allocation for academic initiatives. + Exceptional communication, facilitation, and stakeholder engagement skills. + Strong data analysis and reporting capabilities; ability to use data for continuous improvement. + Familiarity with student success frameworks and academic support systems. + Commitment to equity-driven leadership and the mission of community colleges. + Ability to work well independently and collaboratively. **CUNY TITLE OVERVIEW** Directs College activities and operations related to Academic matters to support academic policy and student learning strategies. - Designs, implements and monitors an array of academic initiatives, programs, priorities, and functions - Develops strategic plans, academic program proposals, and curricular reports - Assesses outcomes to improve services and support student success - Creates and oversees academic support initiatives - Administers College articulation efforts - Ensures compliance with accreditation standards and reporting requirements - Liaisons with faculty and professional staff in departments and offices across the College - Manages operational and program budgets; manages, trains, and develops staff - Performs related duties as assigned. **CUNY TITLE** Higher Education Officer **FLSA** Exempt **COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS** $100,329 -$129,310 Salary commensurate with education and experience. CUNY's benefits contribute significantly to total compensation, supporting health and wellness, financial well-being, and professional development. We offer a range of health plans, competitive retirement/pension benefits and savings plans, tuition waivers for CUNY graduate study and generous paid time off. Our staff also benefits from the extensive academic, arts, and athletic programs on our campuses and the opportunity to participate in a lively, diverse academic community in one of the greatest cities in the world. **CUNY is in the process of implementing salary schedule increases. Once implemented, salaries of eligible employees will increase by approximately 9.54% with an additional increase of 3.5% effective 9/1/26, in accordance with the terms of the PSC-CUNY collective bargaining agreement.** **HOW TO APPLY** Visit www.cuny.edu, access the employment page, log in or create a new user account, and search for this vacancy using the Job ID or Title. Select "Apply Now" and provide the requested information. Candidates must attach a resume, cover letter, and three professional references (name, title, organization, and contact information). **CLOSING DATE** September 17th, 2025 **JOB SEARCH CATEGORY** CUNY Job Posting: Managerial/Professional **EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY** CUNY encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply. At CUNY, Italian Americans are also included among our protected groups. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer. Job ID 30739 Location LaGuardia Community College