Associate Director of Strategic Initiatives: Cultivating Conversation and Dialogue

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Overview

Reporting to the Chief of Staff and Assistant Vice President for Strategy and Operations in the Office of the Secretary and Vice President for University Life (OSVPUL), the Associate Director serves as the program development and implementation lead for the university-wide Cultivating Conversation initiative and related University Life programming. Working collaboratively with university partners, the Associate Director develops, facilitates, and implements programs that strengthen the Yale community's capacity to engage thoughtfully and constructively across differences in perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds. The position advances the university's commitment to collaborative excellence by designing and delivering workshops, trainings, and other engagement opportunities that promote intellectual curiosity, open inquiry, constructive dialogue, civil discourse, and the skills needed to navigate complex conversations and situations.

Under the direction of the Chief of Staff and Assistant Vice President, the Associate Director contributes to the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of workshops, trainings, resources, and engagement strategies that align with the initiative's and university’s goals and respond to emerging campus needs. The role translates strategic priorities into high-quality programming by adapting dialogue frameworks, developing facilitation materials and participant resources, recommending innovative approaches, and supporting the implementation of new programming. The Associate Director exercises creativity, sound judgment, and initiative while ensuring that programming aligns with university priorities and leadership direction.

The Associate Director builds collaborative relationships across the university to support the integration of constructive dialogue into the Yale community experience. The position consults with schools, departments, and campus organizations to tailor programs for a broad range of audiences; facilitates workshops, meetings, and group discussions; and serves as a trusted resource on dialogue, facilitation, and community engagement.

The Associate Director contributes to the successful planning and execution of initiative programming by partnering with operational staff on workshop and event logistics, staffing programs and events, supporting external speakers and guests, preparing materials, and providing on-site facilitation and operational support as needed. The position also develops participant resources, facilitator guides, communications, and online content that expand the reach and accessibility of Cultivating Conversation across the university.

In collaboration with university expertise, the Associate Director supports qualitative and quantitative program assessment by collecting and analyzing participant feedback, evaluating program outcomes, and recommending enhancements to strengthen programming and participant engagement. The position contributes to a collaborative, responsive, and service-oriented team environment and performs other duties as assigned.

The successful candidate is an engaging facilitator and collaborative partner with excellent communication, relationship management, and presentation skills. The individual demonstrates intellectual curiosity, creativity, sound judgment, and the ability to translate strategic priorities into thoughtful, high-quality programs while delivering exceptional service to a wide range of university constituents. The Associate Director may perform other duties as assigned.

Finalists will be expected to demonstrate their practical experience at some point during the interview process.

Required Skills and Abilities

1. Demonstrated experience facilitating workshops, trainings, and group conversations for a broad range of audiences. Ability to create engaging, inclusive environments that support thoughtful discussion, learning, and constructive engagement across differing perspectives.

2. Demonstrated ability to design, develop, and implement programs, workshops, and resources that advance organizational goals. Experience translating concepts and priorities into engaging content, activities, and participant experiences.

3. Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills. Ability to communicate complex ideas clearly, develop audience-appropriate materials, facilitate discussions, and build effective relationships with faculty, staff, students, and campus partners.

4. Strong project management and collaboration skills. Ability to manage multiple priorities, coordinate with stakeholders, contribute creative ideas, execute programming, and work effectively with colleagues in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.

5. Demonstrated professionalism, sound judgment, discretion, and responsiveness when working with sensitive topics and diverse constituencies. Ability to exercise initiative, adapt to changing needs, and represent the university appropriately.

Preferred Skills and Abilities

1. Master’s Degree or equivalent, with experience in facilitation and program development.

Principal Responsibilities

1. Directs, monitors, and assesses needs and directs the application of resources of an administrative University office dealing with one or more major functional areas. 2. Directs and implements solutions to problems that are routine to complex in nature and that affect multiple functional areas of responsibility. 3. Plans and/or participates in planning University activities on a long-term basis to comply with University goals and objectives. 4. Establishes and implements consistent university-wide policies in multiple functional areas of responsibility. 5. Ensures that University office policies and procedures are in compliance with federal, state, and local laws and ordinances. 6. Develops and monitors goals and objectives for managerial and professional staff in compliance with University strategies. 7. Directs a staff of exempt and non-exempt employees. 8. May perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience

Bachelor’s Degree in related field and six years of experience or an equivalent combination of education and related experience.

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Background Check Requirements

All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements. All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. For additional information on the background check requirements and process visit "Learn about background checks" under the Applicant Support Resources section of Careers on the It's Your Yale website.

Health Requirements

Certain positions have associated health requirements based on specific job responsibilities. These may include vaccinations, tests, or examinations, as required by law, regulation, or university policy.

Posting Disclaimer

Salary offers are determined by a candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education in relation to the position requirements, along with the role’s grade profile and current internal and external market conditions.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through their hiring department.

The University is committed to basing judgments concerning the admission, education, and employment of individuals upon their qualifications and abilities and seeks to attract to its faculty, staff, and student body qualified persons from a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives. In accordance with this policy and as delineated by federal and Connecticut law, Yale does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment against any individual on account of that individual’s sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, disability, status as a special disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era or other covered veteran.

Inquiries concerning Yale's Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment may be referred to the Office of Institutional Equity and Accessibility (OIEA).

Note

Yale University is a tobacco-free campus.

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