Miami University

Senior Director Strategic Programs and Partnerships

Miami University$140K — $160K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in related field required; Master's or Doctorate preferred.
  • 8-10 years of progressive leadership experience in HR or organizational strategy, especially in higher education.
  • Experience leading enterprise-level initiatives with a focus on data analytics and HR technology.
  • Strong knowledge of workforce analytics, human capital theory, and strategic HR practices.
  • Preferred experience with AI in human capital environments and shared governance structures.

Responsibilities

  • Advise CHRO on aligning human capital strategy with institutional goals.
  • Lead human capital initiatives to enhance organizational effectiveness.
  • Build and maintain partnerships across campus departments for collaborative outcomes.
  • Oversee AI-driven tools and analytics systems to improve decision-making.
  • Ensure HR technology systems meet institutional needs and improve user experience.
  • Implement change management strategies for institutional transformation.
  • Design and modernize HR policies for compliance and transparency.

Benefits

  • Full range of health benefits including medical, dental, and vision.
  • Generous retirement plan options with employer contributions.
  • Professional development opportunities and support for continuing education.
  • Flexible work arrangements, including possibility for remote work.
  • Support for employee wellness and engagement initiatives.
Full Job Description
Job Title
Senior Director Strategic Programs and Partnerships

Department
Human Resources

Worker Type
Regular

Pay Type
Salary

Position Salary Minimum
$140,000.00

Position Salary Maximum
$160,000.00

Salary will be commensurate with the level of the position, education, and experience.

Scheduled Weekly Hours
40

Benefit Eligible
Yes

Screening Date
2026-08-14

Job Description Summary
The Senior Director of Strategic Programs & Partnerships provides vision, leadership, and integration across high-impact functional areas including AI and business intelligence, HR applications and information services, change management, policy design and administration, academic and student employee support, workforce analytics, and succession planning.

This position is responsible for aligning human capital strategy with institutional priorities, ensuring that talent systems, data infrastructure, and organizational practices drive measurable outcomes in organizational effectiveness, employee experience, and return on investment (ROI). The Senior Director operates at the intersection of strategy, technology, and people, leveraging data-informed decision-making, cross-functional partnerships, and innovative program design to support the university's academic
mission.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Institutional Alignment
  • Serve as a senior advisor to the CHRO on enterprise human capital strategy, aligning programs and systems with university-wide strategic priorities.
  • Lead the design, integration, and continuous improvement of strategic human capital initiatives that enhance organizational effectiveness and institutional performance.
  • Build and sustain cross-campus partnerships with academic leadership, finance, IT, and student affairs to ensure alignment and shared accountability for outcomes.


AI, Business Intelligence & Workforce Analytics
  • Oversee the development and implementation of AI-driven tools and business intelligence systems to enhance decision-making across the employee lifecycle.
  • Lead enterprise workforce analytics, including predictive modeling, dashboards, and reporting frameworks that inform recruitment, retention, and talent development strategies.
  • Establish data governance standards and ensure ethical, transparent, and equitable use of AI in human capital practices.


HR Applications & Information Services
  • Provide strategic oversight of HR technology systems, ensuring integration, usability, and alignment with institutional needs.
  • Partner with IT to modernize HRIS infrastructure and optimize system performance, data integrity, and user experience.
  • Lead continuous improvement efforts to streamline processes and increase operational efficiency through technology.


Change Management & Organizational Effectiveness
  • Design and implement enterprise change management strategies that support institutional transformation and cultural alignment.
  • Develop frameworks, tools, and leadership capacity for managing complex organizational change.
  • Facilitate initiatives that strengthen leadership effectiveness, employee engagement, and organizational adaptability.


Policy Design & Administration
  • Oversee the development, review, and administration of human capital policies to ensure compliance, clarity, and alignment with institutional values and strategy.
  • Lead policy modernization efforts that reduce administrative burden while supporting equity, accountability, and transparency.
  • Serve as a key liaison for policy interpretation and governance.


Academic & Student Employee Support
  • Provide strategic leadership for services and programs supporting faculty, academic staff, and student employees.
  • Ensure human capital practices are responsive to the unique needs of academic units and aligned with the university's teaching and research mission.
  • Partner with academic leadership to enhance faculty and student employment experiences.


Succession Planning & Talent Strategy
  • Lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive succession planning framework for faculty and staff leadership roles.
  • Integrate succession planning with talent development, performance management, and workforce planning strategies.
  • Utilize data and predictive analytics to identify talent gaps and inform long-term workforce strategy.


ROI & Program Evaluation
  • Establish metrics and evaluation frameworks to assess the effectiveness and return on investment of human capital programs.
  • Drive a culture of evidence-based decision-making and continuous improvement across all functional areas.
  • Regularly report outcomes and insights to executive leadership.


Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Organizational Leadership, Higher Education, Business Administration, or related field.
  • Minimum of 8-10 years of progressive leadership experience in human resources, organizational strategy, or a related field, preferably in higher education or complex organizations.


Preferred Qualifications
  • Master's degree in Human Resources, Organizational Leadership, Higher Education, Business Administration, or related field or Doctorate (PhD or EdD) in Educational Leadership, Organizational Leadership, or related field.


Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
  • Demonstrated experience leading enterprise-level initiatives involving data analytics, HR technology, and organizational change.
  • Strong understanding of human capital theory, workforce analytics, and strategic HR practices.


Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
  • Experience implementing AI or advanced analytics in human capital environments.
  • Familiarity with shared governance structures and the academic enterprise.


Core Competencies
  • Strategic Thinking & Systems Leadership
  • Data-Informed Decision Making
  • Change Leadership & Organizational Development
  • Partnership & Stakeholder Engagement
  • Innovation & Continuous Improvement
  • Equity-Minded Leadership


Impact Statement

This role is central to Miami University's ability to leverage human capital as a strategic asset. By integrating technology, data, and people-centered practices, the Senior Director will enhance institutional effectiveness, improve employee outcomes, and ensure that human capital investments yield measurable value in support of the university's mission.

Additional Position Information (if applicable)

Required Application Documents
Resume and cover letter

Special Instructions (if applicable)
none

Additional Information

A criminal background check is required. All campuses are smoke- and tobacco-free campuses.

Remote Work
For positions that are approved for remote work: Remote work is not a right, it is a work arrangement that can be modified or revoked by Miami University at any time for any reason, including the convenience of the University.

About Miami University

Miami University is a public research university in Oxford, Ohio. The university was founded in 1809, although classes were not held until 1824. Miami University is the second-oldest university in Ohio and the 10th oldest public university in the United States. The university has a student body of nearly 20,000 and offers 120 undergraduate degree programs and over 60 graduate degree programs. Miami University is known for its liberal arts education and has been ranked as one of the top public universities in the United States.
Learn more about Miami University
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1,700 employees
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