Chief of Strategic Initiatives u0026 Planning

Description

The Chief of Strategic Initiatives & Planning (CSIP) leads enterprise-wide strategic planning and transformation initiatives. Reporting to the Deputy CEO, this role oversees Strategic Planning and Project Management team, and facilitates the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) to ensure alignment and accountability across agency priorities. The CSIP collaborates with internal and external partners to advance large-scale initiatives and drives planning, performance and execution to strengthen organizational effectiveness and responsiveness to community needs.

Lead Strategic Planning & Agency Growth

• Drive agency-wide strategic planning, including long-term plans and annual updates.
• Coordinate cross-agency initiatives to ensure alignment and progress on priorities.
• Facilitate Executive Leadership Team meetings and guide strategic decision-making.
• Support organizational growth, change management, and planning systems.

Oversee Projects & Key Initiatives

• Lead project management systems to ensure initiatives are executed effectively.
• Establish tracking tools (e.g. dashboards, Smartsheet, work plans) to support accountability.
• Guide staff and facilitate meetings that drive cross-functional alignment.

Facilitate Collaboration & Partnerships

• Build and manage relationships with external partners including local government agencies, policymakers, and community organizations.
• Lead cross-agency and cross-sector collaborations to advance integrated, system-level impact.
• Oversee planning and facilitation of stakeholder engagements and external meetings.

Supervision & Team Leadership

• Supervise and mentor the Strategic Planning and Project Management (SPPM) team.
• Support staff development, and performance to ensure a strong and effective team.
• Foster a collaborative, innovation, and results-driven team culture.

Manage Budgets & Contracts

• Oversee budgets tied to strategic initiatives and projects.
• Ensure timely and compliant development and management of contracts, RFPs, and RFQs.
• Manage consultant relationships to support agency planning, evaluation, and implementation efforts.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to meet the required qualifications would be:

7 years of progressively responsible experience in strategic planning, project management, or systems coordination in a public or nonprofit organization; proven experience leading teams and facilitating cross-sector collaboration and a Bachelor’s degree* in public administration, public policy, social welfare, public health, business Administration, or a related field. A Master’s degree may be substituted for an additional year of required experience.

*A degree is not required and additional relevant work experience may be substituted to meet the college degree standard.

Additional Requirements

Travel within Alameda County as necessary to carry out job duties and occasional travel outside Alameda County as required.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of executive leadership and staff supervision.
• Strategic planning, systems coordination, and project management methodologies.
• Principles of budgeting, resource allocation, and contract management.
• Best practices in community collaboration, stakeholder engagement, and cross-sector partnerships.
• Data-informed decision-making, evaluation methods, and performance measurement tools.
• Public policy, legislative analysis, and regulatory frameworks affecting early childhood and social services.
• Meeting facilitation and community planning processes.

Ability to:

• Lead, supervise, and coordinate a team of planning and project management staff.
• Develop and implement strategic plans, ensuring alignment with agencywide goals.
• Facilitate cross-agency coordination and collaboration across departments and external partners.
• Manage multiple priorities, projects, and initiatives in a fast-paced environment.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Utilize data and evaluation frameworks to drive planning and decision-making.
• Communicate clearly and persuasively in written and verbal formats, including presentations and reports.

Please note:

• We are currently working a hybrid 2 day per week in-office schedule and employees also come to the office to attend meetings and as requested.
• All First 5 employees must live and work in California.
• The salary range for this position is $193,000 to $277,000 and as an independent government agency, the posted salary is the set salary range for this position. We cannot offer salaries above this posted range.
• We conduct reference and background checks for all potential employees.

About First 5 Alameda County

First 5 Alameda County believes every child in Alameda County should have optimal health, development, and well-being to reach their greatest potential. Through innovative programs and policy advocacy, we help provide children and their families access to resources that support their first five years of development.

Join our mission-driven team that in partnership with the community, supports a county-wide continuous prevention and early intervention system that promotes optimal health and development, narrows disparities, and improves peak years of child development.

First 5 Alameda County Benefits

We offer a comprehensive benefits package with health care options to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. These benefits include but are not limited to Medical, Dental, & Vision Coverage, $1,500 credit per year to spend on benefits, Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), Employer Paid & Voluntary Life & AD&D Insurance, Long-Term Disability Insurance, Retirement Plans including the ACERA Pension Plan, Commuter Benefits, Employee Assistance Plan and more.

We also offer paid vacation, paid time off and sick time. We have 17 paid holidays including the week between Christmas Day and New Year's Day as paid time off.

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• First 5 Alameda County

• 510.227.6900

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