Director of Strategic Initiatives

The Center for Houston's Future (CHF) is an affiliate of GHP and advances the Houston region as one of the top ten global communities in which to live and work. The CHF engages the community to think long-term and act strategically for the future economic, physical, social and cultural well-being of the region through research, facilitation and collaboration. www.centerforhoustonsfuture.org

The Greater Houston Partnership (GHP), through its more than 2,100 members, represents the 10-county Houston region's business interests to promote the growth of high-paying jobs, international trade and capital investment. Partnership Members include representatives of small and mid-sized businesses and Fortune 500 companies. In addition, Partnership Members employ 534,866, or one-fifth of Houston Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) jobs. The Greater Houston Partnership's Board of Directors oversees corporations that directly account for one in every 10 of the Houston metropolitan area's more than 2.6 million jobs. These corporations also represent annual sales and receipts that, when combined, exceed $1.9 trillion.
 

Director of Strategic Initiatives

You have a knack for seeing the big picture and mapping the most advantageous route to success. If this sounds like you, we want to talk. In this role, we will rely on you to oversee current strategic planning and related initiatives, activities and staff. You will serve as the leader in the restructure and expansion of CHF research and strategic planning practices, capacity and visibility to help ensure that efforts are impactful, relevant and lead to high priority and organized community action. Additional responsibilities will include:

• Assess need, plan, direct and carry out various research studies. Identify, develop and present policy analysis regarding issues under examination
• Oversee the Community Indicators annual report and symposium (including Center Fellows, Academic Assembly, and Data Visualization) and the regional scenarios planning process
• Serve as CHF representative for HGAC Regional Sustainability Council
• Assist the Development Director in funding proposals for strategic planning and other projects
• Work with the President and CEO and Senior Manager, strategic initiatives to develop annual budget for strategic initiatives
• Supervise programmatic and administrative staff, including work allocation, training and problem resolution; evaluate their performance and make recommendations for personnel actions; motivate employees to achieve peak productivity and performance
• Represent the organization at various community and/or business meetings; promote existing and new planning and research initiatives
• Plan, coordinate and carry out a range of strategic, operations and administrative projects and tasks
• Assist in developing a communications strategy on planning initiatives and promoting CHF as resource for research, policy development and long-range planning
   

Qualifications:

The following knowledge, skills and abilities are desirable for job success:

• MBA or Master’s degree in related field required; PhD preferred
• 5-10 years of overall experience managing and executing strategic planning efforts
• Strategy consulting or strategic planning preferred
• Business, nonprofit experience strongly preferred
• Experience in setting direction for company’s strategic direction and growth opportunities
• Effective executive-level communication for senior leadership and external audiences
• Able to lead internal process to define the product strategy, roadmap and priorities

• Seasoned, well-traveled individual who is well-versed in urban issues
• 15 years or more of experience with multiple contacts throughout the region
• Strong interviewing and interview analysis skills
• Skilled in organization resources and establishing priorities
• Ability to develop, plan, and implement short-and long-range goals
• Program management and administrative skills. Demonstrated preference for detail work and history of exercising mature judgment and tact
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• Skilled in the use of technology, including PowerPoint, Excel, Internet research, and manipulation of photographs
• Ability to foster a cooperative work environment
• Ability to lead or guide, coordinate and facilitate strategic planning process
• Knowledge of contracts and grants preparation and management
• Ability to develop and maintain record-keeping systems and procedures

• Skilled in examining and re-engineering operations and procedures, formulating policy and developing and implementing new strategies and procedures

Benefits:

We value our employees’ time and efforts. Our commitment to your success is enhanced by our competitive compensation, commensurate with experience. We also offer an extensive benefits package including paid garage parking, paid time off, medical, dental and vision benefits and future growth opportunities within the company. Plus, we work to maintain the best possible environment for our employees where people can learn and grow with the company. We strive to provide a collaborative, creative environment where each person feels encouraged to contribute to our processes, decisions, planning and culture.

To Apply:

Reliable candidates seeking an exciting new opportunity are encouraged to apply:http://ejob.bz/ATS/jb.do?reqGK=696465

The CHF and GHP are Equal Opportunity Employers.