Deputy Director of Organizational Development & Innovation

Thank you for considering a career with the Research Foundation of The City University of New York (RFCUNY).

The team at RFCUNY is made up of dedicated, talented professionals committed to providing the services that allow CUNY researchers, faculty, and staff to focus on their intellectual curiosity and scientific discoveries.

We are pleased that you are interested in exploring opportunities to join RFCUNY.

Primary Location:

CUNY SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES

Bargaining Unit:

No

About the CUNY School of Professional Studies:

As a leading online school in New York since 2006, the CUNY School of Professional Studies (CUNY SPS) offers the most online bachelor's and master's degree options at the City University of New York, and serves as the University's first undergraduate all-transfer college. With 26 degrees and numerous other non-degree and grant-funded workplace learning programs, CUNY SPS meets the needs of adults who wish to finish a bachelor's degree, progress from an associate's degree, earn a master's degree or certificate in a specialized field, and advance in the workplace or change careers. Consistently ranked highly by U.S. News & World Report for its online offerings, CUNY SPS has emerged as a nationwide leader in online education. The School's renowned and affordable online programs ensure that busy working adults may fulfill their educational goals on their own time and schedule. As CUNY SPS moves beyond its’ 20th year, we dedicate ourselves to engendering an innovative and transformative student-centered experience.

 

Within and created at the same time as CUNY SPS, the Office of Innovative Learning Solutions (ILS) designs custom workplace learning programs to help organizations achieve their goals. We are experts in research-based learning practices, online as well as in-classroom curriculum development and implementation. We are uniquely positioned to respond to organizational learning needs and support change management initiatives swiftly and effectively.

Partnership Description: CUNY SPS ILS partners with the New York City Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) to provide foundational and continuous professional development learning for child welfare and juvenile justice direct service staff and supervisors through ACS’s Office of Training and Workforce Development (OTWD). OTWD encompasses three entities: ACS James Satterwhite Academy, the ACS Workforce Institute and the ACS Institute for Leadership Development. 

Position Description:

The Deputy Director of Organizational Development & Innovation reports to the Associate Commissioner and successfully executes projects, initiatives, and other work related to the organization's strategic objectives. This role works closely with ACS and OTWD senior leadership to focus on the following strategic objectives: readiness & integration, change strategy, alignment, organizational culture, organizational strategy, and operational effectiveness.

 

Position Duties and Responsibilities:

STRATEGIC PLANNING DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead organizational design, process improvement, and change management efforts to enhance operational efficiency and organizational effectiveness.

• Identify dependencies, integration opportunities, and potential risks across strategic initiatives to improve coordination and support informed decision-making.

• Conduct needs assessments and evaluates operational impacts on programs, processes, and stakeholder groups.

• Develop and implement frameworks to assess program effectiveness, operational performance, and organizational impact.

• Collaborate with ACS and OTWD leadership and strategic partners to strengthen cross-functional coordination and streamline organizational processes.

• Build and manage relationships with internal and external stakeholders to support agency priorities and ensure alignment with strategic goals.

• Advise the Associate Commissioner on strategic priorities, operational planning, and emerging opportunities, serving as a trusted thought partner on organizational and programmatic decisions.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

•  Develop business cases and support priority-setting efforts in collaboration with senior leadership and key stakeholders.

• Define project objectives, scope, timelines, resource requirements, and success measures to ensure alignment across stakeholders.

• Lead project planning and execution, including facilitating stakeholder meetings, tracking progress, and managing deliverables, budgets, and timelines.

• Monitor project risks, dependencies, and roadblocks, and implement mitigation strategies to support successful project outcomes.

• Provide guidance on project management methodologies, tools, and best practices to strengthen project delivery and operational effectiveness.

• Lead project closeout activities, including documenting lessons learned and best practices to inform future planning and continuous improvement.

EVALUATION DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Create and maintain dashboards to report on project outcomes.

COMMUNICATIONS DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop appropriate communication documents and presentations for diverse targeted audiences.

• Present on project initiatives, progress, and outcome to senior leadership/diverse audiences in both oral and written formats.

• Attend meetings with OTWD senior leadership, as required and necessary to fulfill the functions of this position.

• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• MA/MPA/MS in social science, public administration, or another related field.

• An understanding of human or social services, particularly the child welfare and juvenile justice systems is a plus.

• Excellent time management and organizational skills.

• An exceptional commitment to accuracy and attention to detail.

• Ability to work on a team, as well as independently.

• High degree of flexibility and maturity to work in an innovative, fast-paced environment, and to readily embrace change.

• Strong written and oral communication skills and ability to effectively convey complex concepts to a variety of technical and non-technical audiences.

• Experience in project management including ensuring project milestones are met on time and collaborating with multiple stakeholders.

• High emotional intelligence with the ability to provide nuanced support to team members on project issues that builds trust and confidence across diverse team cultures and priorities.

• A curious disposition motivated by an internal drive to understand and untangle complex issues.

To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume.

Please note: Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States on a continuous basis. Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Location: Downtown Manhattan/ Hybrid

Pay Range:

$95,000 – $105,000

RFCUNY Benefits
RFCUNY Employee Benefits and Accruals

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
The Research Foundation of the City University of New York is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Americans with Disabilities Act/E-Verify Employer. It is the policy of the Research Foundation of CUNY to provide equal employment opportunities free of discrimination based on race, color, age, religion, sex, pregnancy, childbirth, national origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic violence victim status, arrest record, criminal conviction history, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.