People Strategy, Equity, and Culture

Strategic Planning Director

  • Title: Strategic Planning Director
  • Category: Management
  • FLSA: Exempt
  • Grade: M

Job Summary

Under the direction of the Executive Vice President, the Strategic Planning Director oversees PCC initiatives, involving multiple internal and external parties and stakeholders across the District. Accountable for managing strategic direction and prioritization for all new and current initiatives.  Leads cross-functional teams to effectively and efficiently meet College needs, while being a strong steward of College resources. Responsible for identifying and mitigating risk and redundancy, tracking and measuring progress and outcomes.

Typical Duties and Responsibilities

  1. Develops strategy for advancing district-wide initiatives. Helps define  and recommend priorities to leadership. Makes long range planning recommendations.
  2. Leads District-wide project planning efforts and oversees project execution to ensure adherence to strategic objectives and priorities.
  3. Maintains visibility of strategic initiatives throughout the District to ensure comprehensive and effective implementation.
  4. May supervise administrative services professionals, paraprofessionals, and technical/support staff and performs both direct and indirect supervision through subordinates. Hires, evaluates, trains, disciplines and recommends dismissal of staff as necessary.
  5. Develops and oversees measures/indicators related to outcomes of strategic planning initiatives.
  6. Participates in/monitors District wide committees and task forces.
  7. Monitors project, program, and/or grant deliverables and assesses impact to strategic initiatives; reports on progress to leadership.
  8. Leads communications, change management, and issue management efforts as assigned.
  9. Develops and maintains strategic planning tools and documentation.
  10. Directs and/or coordinates resources across multiple departments in strategic planning efforts.
  11. Researches, solicits, retains, schedules, and coordinates contractors and other external resources. Participates in the selection of contractors to support strategic planning efforts.
  12. Collects and analyzes a variety of complex data and information. Performs statistical analysis and summarizes findings in applicable reports or other communication mediums.
  13. Monitors assessment, training, and related processes for projects and initiatives in the implementation stage and reports to leadership as required.
  14. Responds to requests for information and provides subject-matter-expert guidance to other departments, consumers, the general public, and/or outside agencies.
  15. Identifies potential project risks and difficulties and informs management of issues. Works to design strategies to mitigate or avoid risks.
  16. Performs other duties as required.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

Work is generally performed in an office environment with frequent interruptions and irregularities in the work schedule. Learned physical skill is required for keyboarding. No special coordination beyond that used for normal mobility and handling of everyday objects and materials is needed to perform the job satisfactorily.

Minimum Qualifications

Master’s degree in administration, higher education, project management or related field and five (5) yearsof progressively responsible, professional experience related to project or program management at the management level; or

Bachelor’s degree in administration, project management or related field and seven(7) years of progressively responsible, professional experience related to project or program management at the management level.

Knowledge and Skills

Knowledge of:
  • Leadership and managerial principles;
  • Project Management Body of Knowledge principles and practices;
  • Resource allocation;
  • Budgeting principles and financial management practices;
  • Customer service principles and practices;
  • Strategic planning principles;
  • Public relations principles;
  • Higher education principles and practices;
  • Business process mapping and analysis, data modeling, database concepts, and workflow.
Skills in:
  • Gathering, analyzing, and interpreting data;
  • Conducting needs assessments;
  • Working effectively with the diverse academic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds of PCC staff, students and community members;
  • Creating and implementing project management tools such as Gantt Charts;
  • Utilizing project management software and tools;
  • Utilizing computer technology used for communication, data gathering and reporting;
  • Applying innovative thinking to problem solving and strategy;
  • Mediating conflict and facilitating negotiations;
  • Supervising subordinate staff, including those who report to other managers;
  • Speaking in public;
  • Managing change and sensitive topics;
  • Leadership and decision making.
Ability to:
  • Motivate and influence others in a positive manner;
  • Forecast issues and consequences or proposed actions and identify alternate solutions;
  • Work collaboratively;
  • Lead cross-functional and cross-departmental teams;
  • Think critically and strategically;
  • Persist in the face of obstacles;
  • Communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing;
  • Maintain confidentiality;
  • Adapt to change while simultaneously maintaining focus on objectives and envisioning the bigger picture.

Reviewed: 12/2018
New: 9/2016