Position Purpose
Serves as the primary strategist and project leader for a portfolio of Dartmouth’s strategic initiatives, including cross-institutional priorities that span operations, capital planning, governance, policy, planning, and crisis management. Simultaneously acts as a strategic liaison and coordinator across other operational initiatives—such as housing, childcare, and energy transition—that have designated owners but require cross-functional alignment. Reports directly to the Senior Vice President for Operations and Strategic Initiatives, translating senior leadership priorities into structured workplans, timelines, and deliverables. Prepares board-level materials, conducts policy research and financial analysis, and manages complex stakeholder processes that span academic, administrative, and governance constituencies. This role demands exceptional judgment, political acuity, and the ability to drive progress on sensitive institutional matters in a decentralized, consensus-oriented environment.
Required Qualifications - Education and Yrs Exp
Bachelors or equivalent combination of education and experience
Required Qualifications - Skills, Knowledge and Abilities
- Bachelor’s degree required.
- Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible experience in strategic planning, project management, policy analysis, or institutional administration, preferably in a complex organizational setting such as higher education, government, a large nonprofit, or as a consultant working on projects in those fields.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent projects with competing deadlines, translate ambiguous mandates into structured workplans, and drive initiatives to completion with minimal supervision.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce board-quality presentations, policy briefs, and executive communications. Strong analytical skills with the capacity to synthesize complex information into clear recommendations. Proven ability to influence and collaborate across diverse constituencies in politically sensitive environments.
- Demonstrated experience managing budgets and conducting financial analysis, including the ability to build financial models, evaluate cost-benefit tradeoffs, and present data-driven recommendations to senior leadership.
Department Contact for Recruitment Inquiries
Campus Services HR
Department Contact Phone Number
646-3323
Department Contact for Cover Letter and Title
Josh Keniston, SVP for Operations & Strategic Initiatives
Department Contact's Phone Number
Equal Opportunity Employer
Dartmouth College is an equal opportunity employer under federal law. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected status. Applications are welcome from all.
Background Check
Employment in this position is contingent upon consent to and successful completion of a pre-employment background check, which may include a criminal background check, reference checks, verification of work history, conduct review, and verification of any required academic credentials, licenses, and/or certifications, with results acceptable to Dartmouth College. A criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify an applicant from employment. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.
Is driving a vehicle (e.g. Dartmouth vehicle or off road vehicle, rental car, personal car) an essential function of this job?
Preferred, but not required
Special Instructions to Applicants
Dartmouth College has a Tobacco-Free Policy. Smoking and the use of tobacco-based products (including smokeless tobacco) are prohibited in all facilities, grounds, vehicles or other areas owned, operated or occupied by Dartmouth College with no exceptions. For details, please see our policy. https://policies.dartmouth.edu/policy/tobacco-free-policy
