Associate Director, Strategic Operations and Executive Initiatives

Job Profile:

Administrative Operations Specialist 3

Job Family:

Administrative Operations

Time Type:

Full time

Max Pay – Depends on experience:

$95,000.00 USD Annual

Apply before 11:59 PM Arizona time the day before the posted End Date.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree and five (5) years of experience appropriate to the area of assignment/field; OR, Any equivalent combination of experience and/or training from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.

Job Profile Summary:
Supports and instructs those served by the department with complex queries, applies specialized knowledge of multiple standards, policies and procedures, and maintains accurate and detailed records.

Job Description:

Position Salary Range: $67,500.00 – 95,000.00; DOE

Under the administrative direction of the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (EVP & COO), and the direct supervision of the Associate Vice President and Chief of Staff, the Associate Director, Strategic Operations and Executive Initiatives provides high-impact operational, project, and executive support for priority initiatives within the Office of the COO. The role coordinates cross-unit workstreams, supports strategic planning activities, develops executive-ready documents, and ensures disciplined follow-through on key deliverables with time sensitive deadlines.

Reports to: Associate Vice President and Chief of Staff, Office of the COO

Essential Duties:

• Coordinate cross-unit efforts to ensure continuity and alignment across university functions; elevate risks, dependencies, and decisions needed.

• Support high-level meetings and planning sessions by preparing materials, coordinating inputs, capturing notes, and monitoring follow-through to completion.

• Provide structured inputs to strategic planning processes as assigned by the EVP & COO and/or AVP & Chief of Staff.

• Prepare concise summaries of decisions, next steps, and action owners for leadership review.

• Develop complex internal and external communications and executive-ready materials (e.g., briefing memos, remarks, speeches, presentations, reports, analyses, talking points, meeting summaries, and select social media drafts).

• Coordinate drafting and review cycles with campus partners to ensure accuracy, alignment, and consistency of messaging.

• Conduct basic quantitative and qualitative analysis to inform recommendations.

• Coordinate sensitive internal and external engagement efforts and maintain productive working relationships with university leaders and ASU Public Enterprise partners.

• Serve as an Office of the COO liaison for selected priority areas assigned by leadership to support coordination, communications, and follow-through.

• Track and synthesize major trends in higher education and institutional policy; produce short executive-level summaries to inform leadership decisions.

• Support rapid-response research and background preparation for executive meetings and communications.

• Advance strategic coordination of international initiatives including but not limited to India, the MENA region, and ASU’s global education partnerships via Cintana Education.

• Use tact, discretion, and confidentiality during work with C-Suite executives and high-level officials from corporations, government, military, universities, and industry.

• Supervise and mentor student employee(s) supporting the Office of the COO, including work assignment, coaching, and quality control of work products.

• Represent the Office of the COO on committees, working groups, and internal forums as assigned.

• Manage records and compile data for reports, including value-added analysis as requested.

• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience supporting executive leadership in a complex organization (higher education strongly preferred).

• Demonstrated success coordinating cross-functional projects with multiple stakeholders and tight deadlines.

• Exceptional writing and editing skills producing executive-ready documents and communications.

• Demonstrated discretion handling sensitive information and relationships.

• Strong judgment, reliability, and comfort working in a fast-moving, high-visibility environment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of administrative operations and practices in a complex, matrixed environment.

• Knowledge of strategic planning principles and practices.

• Knowledge of project management.

• Skill in planning, prioritization, and managing multiple concurrent deliverables with accuracy and urgency.

• Skill in project coordination and improving processes to increase operational efficiency.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to produce concise, executive-ready work products.

• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships across internal and external partners.

• Ability to work effectively amid changing priorities, time constraints, and occasionally competing interests.

Working Environment:

• Activities are performed in an environmentally controlled office setting subject to extended periods of sitting, keyboarding and manipulating a computer mouse; required to stand for varying lengths of time and walk moderate distances to perform work. 

• Occasional bending, reaching, lifting, pushing and pulling up to 25 pounds. 

• Regular activities require ability to quickly change priorities, which may include and/or are subject to resolution of conflicts. 

• Ability to clearly communicate verbally, read, write, see and hear to perform essential functions. 

Department Statement:

Driving Requirement:

Driving is not required for this position.

Location:

Campus: Tempe

Funding:

No Federal Funding

Instructions to Apply:

Current employees, student workers seeking staff opportunities, and students applying for student worker positions must apply directly through the Workday Jobs Hub.

Please use the link below to log in using single sign-on.

https://www.myworkday.com/asu/d/inst/1$9925/9925$21284.htmld

To be considered, your application must include all of the following attachments:

• Cover letter

• Resume or CV

Multiple documents may be uploaded in the attachments section. Alternatively, applicants may combine all required materials into a single PDF for submission. Please ensure uploaded documents are clearly labeled and include your name.

Please ensure your resume includes all employment information in month and year format, for example 6/04 to 8/14, along with job title, job duties, and employer name for each position. Your resume should clearly demonstrate how your experience and background meet the minimum and desired qualifications for this position. Incomplete applications or missing required materials may not be considered.

Important: Do not withdraw your application to make edits. Once an application is withdrawn, it cannot be edited, reactivated, or replaced with a new submission. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact The Office of Human Resources Talent Acquisition before the posting close date.

Graduate Assistant, Intern and part-time positions are counted as half time for experience equivalency, meaning one year equals six months of experience.

Only electronic applications will be accepted for this position. By submitting an application, you confirm that the information provided is accurate and complete.

ASU Statement:

Arizona State University is a new model for American higher education, an unprecedented combination of academic excellence, entrepreneurial energy and broad access. This New American University is a single, unified institution comprising four differentiated campuses positively impacting the economic, social, cultural and environmental health of the communities it serves. Its research is inspired by real world application blurring the boundaries that traditionally separate academic disciplines. ASU serves more than 100,000 students in metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona, the nation's fifth largest city. ASU champions inclusive excellence, and welcomes students from all fifty states and more than one hundred nations across the globe.

ASU is a tobacco-free university. For details visit https://wellness.asu.edu/explore-wellness/body/alcohol-and-drugs/tobacco

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.

Notice of Availability of the ASU Annual Security and Fire Safety Report:

In compliance with federal law, ASU prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and resources. ASU’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://www.asu.edu/police/PDFs/ASU-Clery-Report.pdf. You may request a hard copy of the report by contacting the ASU Police Department at 480-965-3456.

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Employment Verification Statement:

ASU conducts pre-employment screening which may include verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications.

Background Check Statement:

ASU conducts pre-employment screening for all positions which includes a criminal background check, verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications. Employment is contingent upon successful passing of the background check.

Fingerprint Check Statement:

This position is considered safety/security sensitive and will include a fingerprint check. Employment is contingent upon successful passing of the fingerprint check.