Senior Director of Strategic Management Office (SMO)

Senior Director of Strategic Management Office (SMO)

Reporting to
CEO

Department
SMO

Overview

The Senior Director of the Strategic Management Office leads institutional strategy and performance at the organization, ensuring that all initiatives are coherent, goal-driven, and impact-oriented. This role is responsible for developing and aligning strategic plans, setting performance metrics, and monitoring progress across all departments. The successful candidate is a seasoned strategic planner and collaborative leader, capable of synthesizing institutional priorities into actionable roadmaps. They will work closely with executive leadership and the Board to ensure that the organization's vision is translated into measurable progress and long-term sustainability.

The role demands strong analytical acumen, a proactive approach to organizational development, and a commitment to innovation and excellence. In all activities, the Senior Director ensures that strategic planning and institutional performance are aligned with the organization's mission and values and will activate synergies in collaboration with several institutions.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Strategy and Planning
  • Facilitate development and review of the institution's multi-year strategic plan.
  • Ensure cross-departmental alignment with strategic goals and national cultural objectives.
  • Lead the development and implementation of the museum's strategic plan, ensuring alignment with its mission, vision, and values while setting clear measurable objectives.
• Budget Management
  • Oversee budget and performance related to the yearly strategic plan and SMO.
• Policies, Processes, and Procedures
  • Establish and monitor a framework for evaluating strategic initiatives, including key performance indicators, regular reporting, and feedback mechanisms across departments.
• Functional Accountabilities
  • Support departments in translating strategy into actionable and measurable plans.
  • Prepare strategic dashboards, reports, and insights for CEO and Board.
  • Conduct risk assessments and scenario planning to guide decision-making.
  • Support strategic capability building among Senior Directors and Directors.
  • Work with RAC and external partners on benchmarking and shared strategic initiatives.
  • Collaborate with the institution's executives to identify strategic opportunities and challenges, facilitating the integration of strategic initiatives across all areas of the organization.
  • Ensure effective communication of the strategic vision and initiatives to all museum staff, fostering a culture of transparency and inclusion in strategic planning processes.
  • Conduct thorough market research and analysis to provide insights on industry trends, audience needs, and competitive positioning that inform the museum's strategic direction.
  • Represent the institution in relevant professional forums and networks, advocating for the organization and contributing to thought-leadership in the sector.
• Stakeholder Management
  • Cultivate relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, including board members, community leaders, and funding organizations, to foster collaborative strategic partnerships.
• People Management
  • Manage and support team members in performing their tasks in line with established policies and procedures.
  • Guide, mentor, and develop the Digital Production Unit team to ensure continuous growth and achievement of functional objectives.
  • Set clear performance goals, provide regular feedback, and support professional development through coaching and formal evaluations.
  • Delegate authority appropriately to empower team members and encourage accountability.
  • Contribute to workforce planning, recruitment, and performance management while promoting employee engagement and motivation.
  • Foster a high-performance, inclusive, and collaborative work culture aligned with the organization's values.
  • Promote innovation and contribute to a positive, inspiring, and diverse workplace.
  • Maintain high personal standards and ensure excellence across the section.

Job Qualifications and Requirements Knowledge and Experience

• Minimum 8 years in strategic planning, policy, or institutional development, with at least 3 years in a senior role within a cultural institution or nonprofit organization.
• Experience in cultural, public, or nonprofit sectors preferred.
• Thorough expertise in developing and implementing strategic plans that align with organizational goals and objectives.
• Proven experience in financial management, including budget development, analysis, and resource allocation to support strategic initiatives.
• Comprehensive understanding of key performance indicators (KPIs) and the ability to use data to assess organizational performance and inform strategic decisions.
• Strong project management skills, with a track record of successfully leading cross-functional initiatives from concept to execution.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to communicate effectively at all levels of the organization and with external partners.
• Knowledge of emerging trends in the field, including digital transformation, audience engagement strategies, and contemporary curatorial practices.
• Proficiency in utilizing strategic frameworks and methodologies for analysis and planning, such as SWOT analysis, balanced scorecard, and scenario planning.

Education and Certifications

• Bachelor's or equivalent in Strategy, Policy, Management, or related field; Master's preferred.

Personal capabilities and qualifications

• Strong planning and facilitation skills.
• Analytical, structured, collaborative, and committed to delivery excellence.
• Strategic Vision: Ability to envision the future of the museum and articulate a clear strategic direction to diverse audiences.
• Leadership and Influence: Exceptional ability to inspire, lead, and motivate teams to achieve strategic objectives and foster a culture of excellence.
• Analytical Thinking: Proficient in data analysis and interpretation to drive informed decision-making processes that support strategic planning.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the capacity to present complex ideas clearly and persuasively to varied audiences.
• Change Management: Strong expertise in managing organizational change initiatives, demonstrating resilience and adaptability in a dynamic environment.
• Relationship Management: Skilled in building and maintaining partnerships with key stakeholders, demonstrating high emotional intelligence and diplomatic capabilities.
• Financial Acumen: Solid understanding of financial principles and practices, with the ability to manage budgets and resources strategically.
• Problem Solving: Adept at identifying challenges and opportunities, developing innovative solutions, and driving those solutions to successful implementation.

Seniority level

• Executive

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Management and Strategy/Planning
• Industries
• Museums