City of Austin - JOB DESCRIPTION

Chief Research and Strategic Initiatives Officer

Under nominal supervision, this position provides leadership on City activities regarding research, grants, and complex enterprise-wide initiatives; manages activities and invested parties as appropriate.

1. Develops programs, processes, project activities, and policies among City departments and offices for the purposes of problem solving, problem prevention, continuous improvement, and driving generational impact across the enterprise.
2. Contributes to ongoing research, development, and refinement of strategic priorities.
3. Identifies and analyzes prospective community partners aligned with strategic priorities.
4. Guides and helps organize working groups and other stakeholders by bringing them together to work on special projects.
5. Partners with strategic decision makers to define program goals, identify deliverables with the highest customer value, and build and lead supporting timelines for critical initiatives.
6. Researches best practices for other areas and establishes blueprints for implementation across the City.
7. Establishes relationships with community partners to ensure feedback on proposed policies and programs is gathered and incorporated.
8. Assists the enterprise in documenting the implementation and progress of new strategies and understands the evidence of the outcomes of its work as it ties back to the scope of the community’s challenges.
9. Assists departments and offices with completing grant applications and complying with City requirements when applying for grant opportunities.

Responsible for the full range of supervisory activities including selection, training, evaluation, counseling, and recommendation for dismissal.

• Knowledge of Federal, State, and Local laws.
• Knowledge of principles and methods of management analysis and research.
• Knowledge of grant and contract administration and principles.
• Knowledge of supervisory and managerial techniques and principles.
• Knowledge and understanding of the concepts of equity, including experience in applying equity frameworks to established laws, ordinances, and long-standing practices.
• Skill in comprehensive public speaking and public relations.
• Skill in navigating decision-making that may seem to benefit one group over the other.
• Skill in planning, organizing, and evaluating the activities of a department or departments.
• Skill in handling conflict and uncertain situations.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective communication and working relationships with department heads, officials, City employees, businesses, and the general public.
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
• Ability to assess current programs and practices for equitable outcomes.
• Ability to use an equity lens and framework to create inclusive, diverse, and safe workplaces and community programs.
• Ability to work with diverse communities and populations.
• Ability to interpret oral, written, and regulatory information dealing with strategic planning, grants, and policies.

Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in public or business administration or a related field, plus five (5) years of related experience leading strategic planning and operations in the areas of public policy, urban planning, and/or grants.