CENTER FOR AN INFORMED PUBLIC, DIRECTOR OF STRATEGY AND OPERATIONS

CENTER FOR AN INFORMED PUBLIC, DIRECTOR OF STRATEGY AND OPERATIONS

Req #: 239730
Department: INFORMATION SCHOOL
Appointing Department Web Address:
Job Location: Seattle Campus
Posting Date: 10/08/2024
Closing Info: Open Until Filled
Salary: $10,000- $11,545 per month
Shift: First Shift
Benefits: As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs.

Although open until filled, priority deadline is October 20th.

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

The University of Washington’s Center for an Informed Public seeks a Director of Strategy and Operations (DSO) to join our team as a key leader to help guide and steward this multidisciplinary institute through its next phase of development and growth. Working in close collaboration with the Center’s Executive Council, the DSO will be responsible for developing and overseeing organizational strategy, designing and implementing a diverse array of programs, and helping to ensure the sustainability of the Center’s goals, activities, and efforts.

The CIP, launched Fall 2019, brings together faculty, staff, students and community partners in service of a core mission aiming to resist strategic misinformation, promote an informed society, and strengthen democratic discourse. Located within the Information School (iSchool) at the University of Washington, the Center is a multidisciplinary collaboration with the Department of Human Centered Design & Engineering and the School of Law; its programs span research, education, policy and outreach.

This is a rare and unique opportunity to join a community of scholars and leaders tackling one of the most pressing issues of our time. Our ideal candidate is a passionate leader and communicator with a track record of successfully leading and scaling an organization. Further, the candidate possesses demonstrated experience managing and leading people, including the ability to develop and empower top-notch staff and promote a culture of high performance that values societal impact. The Center has built a solid foundation since its launch, and the successful candidate is someone who excels at helping the faculty co-founders execute a vision, nurture the Center’s culture, and solidify operational sustainability.

Reporting directly to the Faculty Director and working closely with the Executive Council and other senior staff, the DSO supports the CIP’s leadership team, serving as chief administrator for all of the Center’s daily operations and programs. In addition to supporting and mentoring a team of direct reports, the Director for Strategy and Operations also is a resource for the CIP’s diverse community of faculty affiliates, visiting scholars, community fellows, and students. The CIP has a strong public engagement mission, and the DSO builds and maintains relationships with strategic partners, including public, private and civil society representatives; community leaders; and the general public.

At the iSchool, we create an environment that fosters appreciation, mutual respect, and engagement among and between members of the iSchool, UW community, and beyond, with special attention to the needs of people from historically marginalized communities. We envision a university in which all students, faculty and staff participate fully and meaningfully in campus life without being subjected to discrimination, bias or microaggressions. We condemn any expressions of racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, or any other instance of bias and discrimination against marginalized individuals and groups.

What You’ll Be Doing:

Strategy, Vision, and Leadership:

• With the Faculty Director and Executive Council, design and guide strategic planning and overall management of the organization.
• Establish a new External Advisory Board for the CIP, and serve as main administrative leader to guide and manage the board and its activities.

• Lead all operational processes and systems at the Center—including operational management, information flow, and organizational planning—in support of CIP’s mission; plan and lead internal meetings.
• Ensure that all Center financial activity, including grant, gift, revenue, and in-kind dollars, are fully tracked and integrated into Center's operating budget and that program staff receive reminders of needed progress/grant reports.

• Lead and mentor the Center’s staff, whose dynamic activities span a range of initiatives including projects, events, community programs, digital media, communications, research infrastructure maintenance and office management.

• Bachelor's degree.
• Five years of administrative and strategic management experience, including financial and budgetary oversight.
• Three years of direct professional staff supervision.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of internal and external constituents.
• Ability to build and nurture a successful organizational culture and develop comprehensive internal processes.
• Strategically minded, analytical leader.
• Demonstrated success in working with diverse populations.
• Discreet facilitator and problem-solver with a high tolerance for ambiguity.
• Autonomous self-starter with intellectual confidence and flexibility and ability to effectively manage multiple demands and priorities.
• Demonstrates a high degree of initiative-taking, problem-solving capability, creativity, and capacity for innovative thinking.
• Proficiency in developing budgets, fiscal monitoring and financial projections using multiple fund sources.
• Strong technology skills and inclination to adapt and learn new technologies.

• Advanced degree preferred.
• Experience in a large-scale, complex academic institution.
• A passion for the Center’s mission: to resist strategic misinformation and strengthen democratic discourse. (Domain expertise is not a requirement.)

This position requires the ability to work a flexible schedule to meet deadlines as needed. This may occasionally include evening and weekend work to meet critical deadlines and some travel. The position has some flexibility in terms of location, but is expected to be in-office in Seattle at least 2 days per week and for important Center-related events and activities.

The application process may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.

Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, the University of Washington will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.

The University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.