Dir-Strategic Initiatives DO - (School of Engineering)

City Colleges of Chicago’s vision is to be recognized as the city’s most accessible higher education engine of socioeconomic mobility and racial equity – empowering all Chicagoans to take part in building a stronger and more just city.  The community college system’s more than 3,500 faculty and staff serve more than 60,000 students annually at seven colleges and five satellite sites.

City Colleges of Chicago (CCC) School of Engineering provides access to high quality and equitable community college pathways leading to an associate degree and transfer opportunities to four-year colleges or universities in engineering or computer science for racially and socio-economically diverse engineering students.

Headquartered at Wright College with sites at various campuses across the district, the School of Engineering aspires to become the nation’s premier community college pipeline for producing diverse engineering leaders. CCC challenges the traditional model of high-cost education by offering affordable, accessible, and high-quality programs with the rigor and standards aligned with our partner institutions of higher education. 

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE

Reporting to the Senior Advisor to the Provost and Dean of the Center of Excellence in Computer Science & Engineering, the Director of Strategic Initiatives – (District Office - School of Engineering) provides direction to leaders at the School of Engineering's various campuses, supporting the district-wide implementation and administration of the program. 

Working in collaboration with the Senior Advisor and School of Engineering site leads, the Director of Strategic Initiatives – (District Office - School of Engineering) provides thought partnership and capacity to the on-going development and growth of the School of Engineering, including on-the-ground support to the various campuses in integrating the program's framework of courses, services, and transfer pathway advising into its academic curriculum. 

The Director of Strategic Initiatives-School of Engineering will work primarily at the School of Engineering headquarters at Wilbur Wright College and will travel to other campus sites. Performs related duties as required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

·       Provides collaborative leadership in alignment with the priorities set by the Senior Advisor, overseeing the planning, development, implementation, evaluation, and coordination of both academic and non-academic program components across all City Colleges School of Engineering sites.

·       Plans and executes the strategic mission and goals of the School of Engineering, aligning program development, resources, and initiatives with the institution's vision.

·       Works collaboratively with faculty, college administrators, and other key stakeholders on developing curriculum, customized student support services, professional development, and continuous improvement initiatives with a focus on teaching excellence and student learning and success.

·       Offers technical support, coaching, and feedback to School of Engineering leadership, guiding them in the execution of a comprehensive and programmatic approach to achieve educational and operational objectives.

·       Develops and maintains key documentation for the School of Engineering’s processes and frameworks, ensuring consistent, high-quality academic practices and fostering a culture of accountability across all program areas.

·       Safeguards the integrity of the School of Engineering's standards by ensuring that practices remain consistent and of high academic quality across all sites, contributing to the long-term success and reputation of the institution.

·       Collaborates with the Office of institutional Effectiveness in the collection and assessment of data to evaluate the implementation of the engineering program pathways district-wide, create and implement plans for continuous improvement.

·       Directs and manages strategic projects and initiatives as assigned by the Senior Advisor, including estimating the necessary resources, personnel, and timeframes required to successfully achieve project objectives.

·       Oversees project planning and documentation, ensuring that project plans, timelines, and communication materials are effectively managed. Communicates project expectations clearly to team members and stakeholders, while diligently tracking milestones and deliverables to ensure timely and successful completion.

·       Collaborates with college and district office stakeholders in developing and implementing data-driven continuous improvement processes, including the collection and assessment of data to evaluate the implementation of the engineering program pathways district-wide.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

Reports To                       Senior Advisor to the Provost & Dean-Center of Excellence in Computer Science & Engineering

Direct Supervision         None

QUALIFICATIONS

·       A Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) field OR a Master’s degree in Project Management or Administration with a Bachelor’s in a STEM field required. A PhD is preferred.

·       Three years of work experience in an administrative or faculty role at an institution of higher learning required

·       Previous work experience related to continuing education, dual enrollment, and/or workforce development and teaching experience in community college highly desirable

·       Strong knowledge of engineering and computer science institutions, organizations and industry trends.

·       Demonstrated knowledge and experience with process change and optimization.

·       Familiarity with engineering and computer science programs and curricula 

·       Knowledge of best practices of performance monitoring and data-driven continuous improvement across multiple sites.

·       Demonstrated ability to advise and influence leadership in complex organizational settings, driving performance improvements.

·       Proven leadership experience in an academic setting, including expertise in long-range planning, budgeting, and personnel management

·       Proficiency in data management and knowledge of strategic planning processes.

·       Strong project management skills

·       Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with a wide range of stakeholders

·       Strong organizational and complex problem-solving skills

·       Critical thinking and creative thinking skills

·       Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize effectively while meeting deadlines

·       Ability to build and maintain relationships and strategic partnerships with diverse stakeholders

·       Ability to cultivate and maintain partnerships with key stakeholders

·       Ability to guide and motivate others toward achieving goals and fostering a positive team environment.

·       Ability to work within a culturally diverse environment, demonstrating cultural competence and inclusivity

·       Willingness to work evenings and weekends, as required.

·       Ability to travel to all School of Engineering sites

·       Highly collaborative and open to continuous learning and development

·       Proficiency in technical report writing

·       Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and other relevant software tools

WE OFFER: Excellent health and welfare benefit package and long-term savings and investment programs including 403(b) & 457(b) Investment Plans and a pension plan with the State University Retirement System (SURS) Plan. Generous vacation, holiday, personal and sick days, and tuition reimbursement. For a more detailed overview of benefits, please visit the benefits page of our website.  

We are an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Chicago residency is required for all full-time employees within 6 months of hire. Thank you for your interest in CCC!