Executive Director, Strategic Initiatives in Riverside, California at University of California, Riverside
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Job Description
Overview
Job ID 36838054
Category Information Technology
Organization Info Technology Solutions
Department Portfolio Management Dept
Location Remote/Hybrid
Salary $130,500 - $256,100
Date Posted August 3, 2026
Application Deadline August 24, 2026
Schedule 8AM - 5PM
Full/Part Time Full-time(100%)
Level of Supervision Direction
Personnel Program Code Management & Sr Professional
Other Information Qualifies for Employee Referral Bonus: No
UC Internal Job: No
Position Information
The Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives serves as a key strategist with the CIO in initiating and developing new strategic direction, long- and short-range plans, and innovative initiatives. Specifically, translates the CIO's strategic vision into an actionable, prioritized roadmap of projects and programs. Broadly represents the CIO's interests across the organization, particularly regarding project prioritization and IT governance.Responds to issues with little or no precedence, often stepping in to remediate "at-risk" strategic initiatives or resolve conflicts between central ITS and distributed academic units. May manage and administer independent program(s), typically with organization-wide impact, including the design and oversight of the IT Portfolio Governance framework.Uses advanced concepts and organizational objectives to resolve highly complex issues, such as balancing technical debt reduction against innovation demands. Regularly works on highly complex issues or problems which require analysis of unique issues/problems without precedent and/or structure, utilizing PMP/PfMP methodologies to bring order to ambiguity. Exercises a high level of judgment in selecting methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for obtaining results.This position is classified as predominantly remote with occasional visits to campus as needed. Working hours will be based on Pacific Standard Time (PST). The full salary range for the Executive Director, Strategic Initiatives is $126,700 - $248,700 annually. However, the pay scale for this position is up to $200,877 annually. We base salary offers on a variety of considerations, such as education, licensure and certifications, experience, and other business and organizational needs.Applicants must have current work authorization when accepting a UCR staff position. Currently, UCR is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa for staff.As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.
Requirements
Educational Requirements
| Degree | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training. | Required |
| Advanced degree. | Preferred |
| Experience | Requirement |
|---|---|
| 6 - 10 years of related experience. | Required |
| Certification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| PMP - Project Management Professional | Preferred |
| CCMP | Preferred |
| CSPO - Certified Scrum Product Owner | Preferred |
| Six Sigma | Preferred |
| Special Condition | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Exercise the utmost discretion in managing sensitive information learned in the course of performing their duties. Sensitive information includes but is not limited to employee and student records, health and patient records, financial data, strategic plans, proprietary information, and any other sensitive or non-public information learned during the course and scope of employment. Understands that sensitive information should be shared on a limited basis and actively takes steps to limit access to sensitive information to individuals who have legitimate business need to know. Ensure that sensitive information is properly safeguarded. Follow all organizational policies and laws on data protection and privacy. This includes secure handling of physical and digital records and proper usage of IT systems to prevent data leaks. The unauthorized or improper disclosure of confidential work-related information obtained from any source on any work-related matter is a violation of these expectations. | Required |
| Background check | Required |
| Occasional travel for university related business meetings, conferences and/or professional development. | Required |
| Travel Outside of Normal Business Hours | Required |
| Advanced skills in short-and long-range planning, program and project management, facilitation and collaboration. |
| Sound strategic thinking and consulting skills in guiding the organization toward workable strategies and solutions. |
| Strong ability to focus on priorities, strategies, and vision. |
| Advanced ability to coach, facilitate and influence people at all levels. |
| Advanced ability to build and maintain relationships with a broad range of staff and members of the community. |
| Financial analysis and reporting techniques. |
| Advanced knowledge of IT portfolio and program governance frameworks, including stage-gate reviews, prioritization scoring, and investment lifecycle management in a complex higher education or enterprise environment. |
| Expert-level knowledge of project and program management methodologies including PMP, PfMP, Agile/Scrum, and hybrid delivery frameworks; ability to apply the right approach based on initiative complexity and organizational context. |
| Advanced ability to develop and deliver strategic communications, executive briefings, and analytical reports that translate complex technical concepts for non-technical audiences including senior university leadership, governance committees, and academic stakeholders. |
| Advanced knowledge of the organization's processes, protocols and procedures. |
| Knowledge of common organization-specific and other computer application programs. |
| Knowledge of higher education IT governance structures, UC system policies, and shared governance principles; ability to navigate complex, consensus-driven academic environments and build effective working relationships across colleges, schools, and administrative units. |
Additional Information
In the Heart of Inland Southern California, UC Riverside is located on nearly 1,200 acres near Box Springs Mountain in Southern California; the park-like campus provides convenient access to the vibrant and growing Inland region. The campus is a living laboratory for the exploration of issues critical to growing communities' air, water, energy, transportation, politics, the arts, history, and culture. UCR gives every student, faculty and staff member the resources to explore, engage, imagine and excel.
UC Riverside is recognized as one of the most ethnically diverse research universities in the country boasting several key rankings of which we are extremely proud.
- UC Riverside is proud to be ranked No. 12 among all U.S. universities, according to Money Magazine's 2020 rankings, and among the top 1 percent of universities worldwide, according to the 2019-20 Center for World University rankings.
- UC Riverside is the top university in the United States for social mobility. - U.S. News 2020
- UCR is a member of the University Innovation Alliance, the leading national coalition of public research universities committed to improving student success for low-income, first-generation, and students of color.
- Among top-tier universities, UC Riverside ranks No. 2 in financial aid. - Business Insider 2019
- Ranked No. 2 in the world for research, UCR's Department of Entomology maintains one of the largest collections of insect specimens the nation. - Center for World University Rankings
- UCR's distinguished faculty boasts 2 Nobel Laureates, and 13 members of the National Academies of Science and Medicine.
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories under state or federal law. It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.
For information about our generous employee benefits package, visit: Employee Benefits Overview