Posting Detail Information

Working TitleSenior Director of Strategic Planning & Special Projects

Position LocationFort Collins, CO

Work LocationPosition qualifies for hybrid/in-office work

Research Professional PositionNo

Posting Number202400675AP

Position TypeAdmin Professional/ Research Professional

Classification TitleProject/Prgm Mngmt III

Number of Vacancies1

Work Hours/Week40

Proposed Annual Salary Range$110,000 - $130,000

Employee Benefits

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, commitment todiversity, equity and inclusion (https://inclusiveexcellence.colostate.edu/about/) , and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

• Review our detailed benefits information here. (https://hr.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/25/2021/01/benefits-summary-afap.pdf)

• Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.

• For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator (https://hr.colostate.edu/total-compensation-calculator/) .

• Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in (https://hr.colostate.edu/prospective-employees/our-community/) !

Desired Start Date06/17/2024

Position End Date (if temporary)

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on05/12/2024

Description of Work Unit

Who We Are

Located in the beautiful town of Fort Collins, Colorado, CSU is a premier land-grant university with world-class programs in education, outreach, and research. CSU has a student body of over 34,000 students, 7,400 employees, 258,000 living alumni, and annual research expenditures exceeding $498 million. Guided by the five supporting Principles of Community: Inclusion, Integrity, Respect, Service, and Social Justice, the University constantly pursues its mission and vision of access, research, teaching, service, and engagement.

Within CSU , the Division of University Advancement is integral to achieving and sustaining the University’s institutional excellence through fundraising and engagement efforts. Our purpose is to connect our alumni, friends, corporations, and foundations to raise the financial support necessary to advance the University’s mission and vision. With one of the leading development teams in the country, the Division most recently reached its $1 billion fundraising campaign goal 19 months ahead of schedule.

The University Advancement Strategic Excellence team is responsible for preparing comprehensive strategic plans and implementation strategies according to division-wide priorities, and in collaboration with leadership across campus. We actively work to establish long-term partnerships, while strengthening existing relationships across campus and throughout the CSU community. We work in close collaboration with the Office of the President, CSU Foundation, CSU STRATA , vice presidents, and deans to achieve alignment and move CSU and UA goals and priorities forward. Grounded in the mission and core values of University Advancement, the UA Strategic Excellence team incorporates the principles of excellence, purpose, gratitude, collaboration, and innovation into every aspect of our work.

Position Summary

TheSenior Director of Strategic Planning & Special Projectsparticipates as an active member of the University Advancement Strategic Excellence team, providing direction around integrated strategy, presidential priorities and executive briefings, and the development of strategic relationships on and off campus, all designed to advance CSU . This position guides University Advancement Leadership, CSU leadership and the Strategic Excellence team in their support of University-wide priorities and strategic initiatives. The 12-month, full time appointment reports to the Assistant Vice President of Strategic Excellence.

Required Job Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in liberal arts, business, marketing, hospitality, communications, sciences, public administration or related field

• Seven years’ professional experience in communications, stewardship, and/or donor relations with progressive responsibilities.

• Experience working with donors in a higher education setting.

• Must have a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain a driver’s license or access to a licensed driver by the employment start date.

• Ability to travel and work non-standard hours, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends.

Preferred Job Qualifications

• Experience developing effective strategies to engage audiences through experiences in support of an organization’s fundraising efforts.

• Knowledge of the University’s external constituencies and demonstrated skill in anticipating and addressing external concerns while ensuring appropriate support for campus concerns and issues.

• Understands and is able to articulate a commitment to the mission of the University and University Advancement.

• Exceptional organizational skills to articulate and realize complex goals and objectives through planning.

• Advanced written, verbal, interpersonal communication and leadership skills, including diplomacy to interact with a diverse constituency.

• Experience developing cross-functional partnerships to foster collaboration in the successful pursuit of common goals.

• Demonstrated success in stewarding and collaborating with executive leadership, dignitaries, and VIPs with tact and diplomacy.

• Working experience using donor database software.

• Success integrating diversity in the major duties outlined in the job description or demonstrated equivalent transferable skills to do so.

Diversity Statement

Reflecting departmental and institutional values, candidates are expected to have the ability to advance the Department’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Essential Duties

Job Duty CategoryStrategy and Planning

Duty/Responsibility

• Oversees the design of policies, procedures and practices to effectively and consistently deliver world-class service to campus-partners and guests while advancing constituent relationships in accordance with University goals.

• Develops, implements and regularly evaluates strategy, as well as campus-partner relationship management policies, practices, processes and tools to be used consistently throughout the department and with campus partners to achieve desired outcomes.

• Facilitates the development of University Advancement’s three-year strategic plan including planning for campaign readiness as well as development, engagement, and stewardship goals.

• Collaborates with University Advancement and CSU Leadership in the development and execution of communications strategies for top donors, donor communities and Presidential/Executive audiences including the President’s Cabinet and the Executive Leadership Team.

• Responsible for a variety of challenges on a daily basis where solutions are crucial to improving the outcome or accomplishing the goals of the unit. Manages timelines and responsibilities for several different projects at once, often resulting in quick and decisive solutions each day. Will trouble-shoot and resolve issues regarding scheduling conflicts, event services, and technology.

Percentage Of Time40%

Job Duty CategoryUniversity Impact

Duty/Responsibility

• Collaborative strategic planning of University Advancement and presidential priorities, working closely with the Assistant Vice President of Strategic Excellence.

• Oversee aspects of annual campus-wide events and strategic initiatives including Ramily, and the new all-campus Commencement Ceremony.

• In alignment with departmental mission and goals, will develop a workforce plan that fosters collaborative, inclusive partnerships with University departments, community organizations and service providers in direct support of the successful planning of strategic initiatives, events and projects.

• Proactively identify and provide resolution to issues related to the collaborative function of teams, the safety and overall experience of guests, fiscal responsibility to the University, and the efficacy of programming components.

• Provides leadership direction to the team and University Advancement staff in the development of effective donor engagement practices that promote CSU’s fundraising goals.

• Fully understands and applies appropriate policies, regulations, and procedures as required by the Division of University Advancement, University, CSU System, and State of Colorado. Thorough knowledge of Advance database (or future CRM ) with the expertise of tracking gifts, donor contact reports, proposals, unit effort and the ability to pull ad hoc reports.

• Facilitates relationships with donors, potential donors, upper level university administration, and university personnel by providing accurate information, problem solving techniques and strategies, and by identifying university-wide areas for alumni, community and donor engagement.

Percentage Of Time40%

Job Duty CategoryBudgeting and Reporting

Duty/Responsibility

• Responsible for integrating information from multiple sources, preparing executive briefs and reports, and performing analysis for the purpose of supporting and promoting unit efficiency and success.

• Develops metric analysis of budgetary performance versus budgetary goals and overall performance. Provides input into yearly budget development.

• Collaborates with and provides guided input to the Assistant Vice President for Strategic Excellence in strategic planning, budget development and administration, and staff inter-departmental collaboration. Develop processes for the communication and execution of the unit’s strategic plan.

• Ensures prudent management in alignment with State of Colorado procurement policies and guidelines.

Percentage Of Time20%

Application Details

Special Instructions to Applicants

Interested applicants must submit a cover letter which addresses how professional experiences align with identified required and preferred qualifications of the position, a current resume, and the names, e-mail addresses, and telephone numbers of three (3) professional references. References will not be contacted without prior notification of candidates.

CSU is committed to full inclusion of qualified individuals. If you are needing assistance or accommodations with the search process, feel free to contact Kaitlyn Howell, Kaitlyn.Howell@colostate.edu, with any questions.

Conditions of EmploymentPre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires), Valid Driver’s License, Travel

Search ContactKaitlyn Howell, Kaitlyn.Howell@colostate.edu

EEO Statement

Colorado State University is committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based on race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or pregnancy in its employment, programs, services and activities, and admissions, and, in certain circumstances, marriage to a co-worker. The University will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. Colorado State University is an equal opportunity and equal access institution and affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. TheOffice of Equal Opportunity (https://oeo.colostate.edu/) is located in 101 Student Services.

The Title IX Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Title IX Programs and Gender Equity, 123 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-1715,titleix@colostate.edu.

The Section 504 and ADA Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836,oeo@colostate.edu.

The Coordinator for any other forms of misconduct prohibited by the University’s Policy on Discrimination and Harassment is the Vice President for Equity, Equal Opportunity and Title IX, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, Co. 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836,oeo@colostate.edu.

Any person may report sex discrimination under Title IX to theOffice of Civil Rights, Department of Education (https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/howto.html) .

Background Check Policy Statement

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

References Requested

References Requested

Minimum Requested3

Maximum Requested3

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• • Do you have a Bachelor's degree in liberal arts, business, marketing, hospitality, communications, sciences, public administration or related field?

• Yes

• No

• • Do you have a minimum of seven years’ professional experience in communications, stewardship, and/or donor relations with progressive responsibilities?

• Yes

• No

• • Do you have experience working with donors in a higher education setting?

• Yes

• No

• • Will you have a valid driver's license or the ability to obtain a driver's license or access to a licensed driver by the employment start date?

• Yes

• No

• • Do you have the ability to travel and work non-standard hours, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends?

• Yes

• No

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Cover Letter

• Resume

Optional Documents