Strategic Initiatives Lead

at  Dublin Business School

Job Title:
Strategic Initiatives Lead
Department:
IR0001 Executive Office DBS
Reporting to:
President
Reports to: President
Purpose of the Role:
The Strategic Initiatives Lead will play a critical role in the successful execution and delivery of a range of initiatives across the organisation. They will develop a business programme management capability that will support the President and Senior Leadership Team (SLT) to execute on the current and new strategy for DBS, to ensure continued growth and success of the business.
The initial focus will be on supporting the new Head of Professional Institute to mobilise a programme of activity to ensure successful development and rollout of the Professional Institute in early 2025. The focus will be on supporting the Head of the Institute to ensure that the programme is delivered on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards, aligning with the strategic objectives and operational needs of the Institute.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Support: Assist the President and SLT to ensure the overall strategy is translated into actionable programme & project plans, ensuring alignment with DBS’s objectives and market opportunities.
• Specifically, regarding the initial focus on delivery of the Professional Institute proposition:
• Work closely with the Head of Professional Institute to ensure effective programming and execution of the PI development and market launch.
• Programme Support: Support the Academic Dean and their team in the development and management of educational programs, ensuring they align with the Institute’s strategic objectives and meet market needs.
• Go-To-Market planning: Support the CCO and their team to ensure an effective sales and marketing programme is in place to ensure successful launch and development of the DBS PI.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Ensure the SLT, all internal and external stakeholders are engaged with and appraised of progress, risks and issues in delivery of the PI proposition to market.
• Operational Excellence: Support the operational aspects of the institute, including student recruitment, admissions, onboarding, delivery, assessment, and certification processes. Work closely with and support the Registrar & Director of Campus Operations and their team to support delivery of all related work packages.
• Financial Management: Support budget management and financial forecasting in collaboration with the Head, ensuring financial viability and efficient delivery and ongoing management of the PI.
• Quality Assurance: Develop a strong Quality Assurance approach to ensure achievement of excellence in academic delivery and alignment to our certified academic programmes as appropriate. Ensure effective monitoring is put in place to deliver the quality of program delivery and student satisfaction, implementing continuous improvement initiatives as needed.
• Work to support the President and SLT on other key initiatives through 2024 and 2025 ensuring that they are all managed through a clear Programme Management & Change process.
• Work closely with the President of DBS to develop an effective Business Change capability within the business.

Skills and Qualifications:

• Ideally a qualification or significant experience in Programme & Project Management.
• Proven experience in delivery within an educational or professional training context.
• Ideally a strong understanding of the professional education sector, including market trends, operational requirements, and regulatory compliance.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills.
• Proficient in budget management and financial forecasting.
• Ability to work in a highly collaborative way in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Experience with digital education platforms and technology-enhanced learning.

Personal Attributes:

• Strategic thinker with an ability to translate big-picture goals into actionable plans.
• Effective communicator capable of engaging with diverse stakeholder groups.
• Proactive and problem-solving approach to challenges.
• Team player with strong interpersonal skills.

Working Location:

• Hybrid but will be required to be on site in the Dublin city centre 4 days per week with a move to 3 days per week in the office once the new role is very well established.

Position Type:
Full time
Contract Type:
Regular
Pay Frequency:
Annual
Location:
Dublin, Ireland
Job Functional Area:
Academic Administration
All appointments are subject to providing proof of eligibility to work in Ireland on full time basis (upon being invited to interview). Please refer to our privacy policy here:
DBS Privacy Notice for Candidates
.
This job description is a guide to the work the post holder will initially be required to undertake. It may be amended from time to time to meet changing circumstances by mutual agreement. It is expected that the job description will be reviewed regularly by the post-holder and their manager.
DBS is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity. If you require any adjustments or additional support within the recruitment process, please contact us directly

• Strategic Support: Assist the President and SLT to ensure the overall strategy is translated into actionable programme & project plans, ensuring alignment with DBS’s objectives and market opportunities.
• Specifically, regarding the initial focus on delivery of the Professional Institute proposition:
• Work closely with the Head of Professional Institute to ensure effective programming and execution of the PI development and market launch.
• Programme Support: Support the Academic Dean and their team in the development and management of educational programs, ensuring they align with the Institute’s strategic objectives and meet market needs.
• Go-To-Market planning: Support the CCO and their team to ensure an effective sales and marketing programme is in place to ensure successful launch and development of the DBS PI.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Ensure the SLT, all internal and external stakeholders are engaged with and appraised of progress, risks and issues in delivery of the PI proposition to market.
• Operational Excellence: Support the operational aspects of the institute, including student recruitment, admissions, onboarding, delivery, assessment, and certification processes. Work closely with and support the Registrar & Director of Campus Operations and their team to support delivery of all related work packages.
• Financial Management: Support budget management and financial forecasting in collaboration with the Head, ensuring financial viability and efficient delivery and ongoing management of the PI.
• Quality Assurance: Develop a strong Quality Assurance approach to ensure achievement of excellence in academic delivery and alignment to our certified academic programmes as appropriate. Ensure effective monitoring is put in place to deliver the quality of program delivery and student satisfaction, implementing continuous improvement initiatives as needed.
• Work to support the President and SLT on other key initiatives through 2024 and 2025 ensuring that they are all managed through a clear Programme Management & Change process.
• Work closely with the President of DBS to develop an effective Business Change capability within the business