Strategic Initiatives Director

What you will do!

As a key advisor to the Director of the Oregon Department of Education, the Strategic Initiatives Director  plays a critical role in advancing the agency’s mission and strategic priorities. This position provides high-level leadership across cross-agency initiatives, ensures alignment with educational equity priorities, and helps steer critical agency operations and communications working closely with agency Executive Leadership.

Typical Duties Include:

• Providing Strategic Direction: Acts on behalf of the Agency Director to guide policy, operations, and legislative priorities, ensuring alignment with agency values and objectives.
• Leading Major Initiatives: Oversees high-impact, enterprise-level projects such as the Educational Accountability Initiative to improve transparency, streamline operations, and maximize resources.
• Executive Leadership Coordination: Supports collaboration across executive staff, ensuring timely decision-making, resource alignment, and progress on strategic goals.
• Overseeing Key Program Areas: Directs work across multiple agency units including Government Relations, Legal/Civil Rights, Communications, and Education Innovation.

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Minimum Qualifications (Need to Have)

Seven years of management experience; OR four years of management experience and a bachelor’s degree in a related field.

Minimum qualifications must be met to qualify for this position. 

Desired Attributes (Nice to Have):

We’re seeking a visionary leader with a strategic mindset, a deep commitment to educational equity, and transformative leadership skills to drive change.

• Team Leader: Proven ability to lead diverse teams toward strategic objectives by setting clear goals, managing complex dynamics, driving high performance, and maintaining accountability. 
• Strategic Leader: Proven ability to lead large-scale initiatives, align cross-agency priorities, and advise executive leadership in complex, high-pressure environments.
• Collaborative: Effective at building trust and fostering collaboration across departments, agencies, and communities to achieve common goals.
• Equity-Centered: Deep understanding of educational equity and demonstrated commitment to addressing systemic and institutional inequities across diverse communities.
• Exceptional Communicator: Skilled in cross-cultural, written, and verbal communication, with the ability to navigate sensitive topics and convey clear direction to diverse audiences.
• Inclusive and Ethical: Models respectful, ethical behavior and fosters an inclusive, discrimination-free workplace culture.
• Politically and Organizationally Aware: Demonstrates a nuanced understanding of governmental structures, policy processes, and organizational dynamics. Skilled in navigating politically sensitive environments, building strategic relationships with state leadership, legislators, and agency partners, and exercising sound judgment in high-profile and confidential matters.
• Resilient and Adaptable: Thrives in fast-paced, dynamic environments with competing priorities, tight timelines, and evolving challenges.
• Results-Driven: Strong track record of executing complex, high-impact initiatives with measurable outcomes and operational efficiency.