City of Austin - JOB DESCRIPTION

Chief of Strategic Initiatives

The Chief of Strategic Initiatives is a senior civilian policing executive who reports directly to the Chief of Police. This position is responsible for coordinating major agency initiatives, advising senior leadership on strategic plan objectives, and ensuring alignment with the agency’s vision and mission.

1. Creates and manages strategic initiatives that align with the department's mission and vision, focusing on improving public safety outcomes and operational and administrative efficiency.
2. Leads the implementation of key projects, ensuring timely completion, adherence to resource allocations, and alignment with departmental objectives.
3. Facilitates coordination between various divisions within the Police Department to support strategic initiatives, ensures a cohesive approach to public safety, and maintains relationships with community organizations, advocacy groups, and other stakeholders to align initiatives with community needs and foster trust and transparency.
4. Provides strategic advice to the Chief of Police and senior leadership on policy development, community engagement, training, crime reduction, and departmental priorities.
5. Identifies and cultivates partnerships with public, private, and nonprofit organizations to support public safety initiatives and resource sharing.
6. Leads efforts to implement organizational changes that enhance efficiency, fosters a positive workplace culture, and aligns with best practices in policing.
7. Collaborates with researchers to establish metrics and performance indicators to evaluate the effectiveness of strategic initiatives and recommends improvements as needed.
8. Clearly communicates strategic goals, progress, and outcomes to both internal and external stakeholders, ensuring transparency and accountability.
9. Attends and participates in meetings of the Austin City Council and various other boards and commissions.

• Knowledge of evidence-based policing principles, crime prevention, and community safety initiatives. Understanding how to use data to inform strategic initiatives and measure their impact.
• Knowledge of organizational and business management principles and practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of programs, policies and operational needs.
• Knowledge of complex principles and practices related to municipal government policies and procedures. Knowledge of federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations as related to assigned job functions.
• Knowledge of principles and practices related to personnel administration, labor laws and regulations.
• Knowledge of principles and practices related to fiscal planning, budget preparation, financial monitoring, and administration. Knowledge of law enforcement administration, operations, practices and procedures.
• Skill in analyzing and interpreting data, research, problems and identification and implementation of effective solutions.
• Skill in developing, implementing, and managing long-term strategies that align with the department's mission and vision. Ability to prioritize initiatives and drive effective performance.
• Skill in selecting, supervising, training, and evaluating staff.
• Skill in administration of financial activities, human resource activities as well as other identified responsibilities. Skill in forecasting, identification and resolution of complex strategic development design and implementation.
• Skill in gaining cooperation through discussion and persuasion and communicating effectively both orally and in writing. Skill in interpretation and application of Federal, State and local policies, procedures, laws and regulations.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with City officials, representatives of business and governments, employees and the general public.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Ability to convey complex ideas clearly to a variety of stakeholders, including city leadership, community members, police personnel, and other partners.
• Ability to lead organizational change, develop implementation plans, and guide the department through evolving and emerging challenges.
• Ability to problem solve; including the capacity to think creatively, critically assess challenges, and develop innovative solutions.
• Ability to build strong relationships with community groups, advocacy organizations, and other stakeholders to align public safety initiatives with community needs.
• Ability to anticipate future challenges and opportunities in public safety, developing innovative strategies that position the department as a national leader in policing.

Graduation with a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Business Administration or related field, plus four (4) years of related experience, two (2) years of which were in a managerial capacity.