Associate Vice Chancellor Strategic Initiatives

Overview

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is a leading national research university and the State of New Jersey’s preeminent, comprehensive public institution of higher education. As one of the largest employers in New Jersey, Rutgers is committed to students, the State, faculty, and staff who work on our campuses. Rutgers is ranked on Forbes’ list of America’s Best Large Employers and is the #1 New Jersey employer on the 2023 list.

The university is committed to maintaining a safe, diverse, and respectful workplace and to accessibility and accommodation for individuals with disabilities.

Posting

Summary:

Rutgers is seeking an Associate Vice Chancellor (AVC) for Strategic Initiatives for the Budget Office. The AVC for Strategic Initiatives is an inaugural position reporting to and serving as the principal aide to the Senior Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, Chief Business Officer (SVC/CBO) of Rutgers–New Brunswick. The AVC coordinates and advances the work of the Office of the SVC/CBO and supports the SVC/CBO’s administrative and strategic responsibilities.

• Serve as an advisor, facilitator, and liaison between the Office of the Chancellor and internal and external stakeholders.
• Collaborate with the SVC/CBO and campus leaders on a broad spectrum of administrative and operational functions, including special projects, internal communications, strategic priorities, organizational change management, and mission-critical initiatives.
• Promote operational efficiency with strong leadership, project management, organization, and communication skills. Translate vision into campus-wide strategies, policies, and operational frameworks.
• Integrate shared governance with strategic planning, system and organizational integration, policy development, and aspects of strategic human resources and project management. Interface with HR and administrative functions to support campus evolution (not a formal HR role).
• Execute SVC/CBO operational strategies related to campus-data strategy, campus-wide HR projects, IT projects, and space and facilities planning.
• Coordinate unit activities to align with SVC/CBO initiatives and act as a strategic partner in workforce planning and organizational design.
• Evaluate staffing patterns, identify redundancies, and recommend structures that promote efficiency, equity, and cross-unit collaboration in partnership with University Human Resources.
• Develop opportunities for collaboration to reduce redundancies and fill gaps.
• Work with the Chancellor’s team to identify and review data and technology needs.
• Participate in strategic planning processes, coordinate staff efforts, and monitor progress toward goals.

• A bachelor’s degree; graduate degree preferred; or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• Seven years of progressively responsible administrative work experience, preferably in a university setting.

• Understand the core and future requirements for RU-NB to achieve strategic goals and budgetary implications for new projects.
• Project management: coordinate timelines, gather requirements, manage resources and project finances.
• Understand internal/external engagement within a complex matrix organization.
• Ability to make independent administrative decisions and judgments.
• Ability to work with diverse constituencies, handle confidential information, and manage multiple complex tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Knowledge of management principles and higher education laws, rules, and regulations.
• Ability to gather data, compile information, and prepare comprehensive reports.
• Strong verbal, written, and electronic communication skills.
• Interpersonal skills and the ability to work strategically and collaboratively across departments and divisions.
• Ability to foster cross-divisional partnerships focused on relationships, policies, and processes.
• Experience in workforce planning, organizational effectiveness, or strategic HR partnership.
• Ability to analyze staffing structures, evaluate redundancies, and recommend solutions to enhance operational cohesion.