Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

Under administrative direction, directs, manages, supervises, and coordinates the activities and operations of the City’s strategic planning program; designs, develops, implements, and guides the City’s long-range strategic planning and organizational performance management process using strong project management skills; organize, prioritize, and explain strategic initiatives and data analysis; coordinates assigned activities with other divisions, departments, and outside agencies; and provides highly responsible and complex administrative support to the Director of Policy and Strategy.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Strategic Initiatives Manager will have a thorough understanding of strategic initiatives and project management principles and methodologies to successfully achieve key projects and programs that align with the City’s goals. This individual will have experience in managing complex initiatives and projects in a public sector environment, and will be able to coordinate multiple stakeholders and resources to achieve project goals.

STRATEGIC LEADER COMPETENCIES - Competencies for Strategic Leaders depict the combination of aptitudes, behaviors, beliefs and actions that highly successful Strategic Leaders demonstrate in moving the City of Reno toward its mission to create a community that people are proud to call home.

ENTERPRISE MANAGEMENT VIEWPOINT - Views the organization's various functions as a system of interconnected and interdependent parts of a cohesive whole with cross-functional responsibilities. Remains agile and creates and responds to change; anticipates problems in advance and develops solutions. Remains cognizant of how subtle changes can impact the entire organization. 

STRATEGIC FOCUS - Recognizes that evolution/change must occur for the organization to fulfill its mission.  Plans proactively rather than reactively and considers factors such as the external environment, best practices, internal organizational dynamics, and organizational goals to develop a vision for the future. Works to engage others in support of the vision. Uses appropriate data to make business decisions and sets meaningful metrics to measure success. Aligns resources with strategic imperatives and understands the necessity of cohesion among various business units. Uses project management skills to manage goals by phasing processes, collaborating with stakeholders and implementing opportunities for improvement. Plans a course of action designed to help the Cityrespond to an event that may or may not happen, creates a plan B.

FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY - Plans, budgets and forecasts, uses predictive analytics, and business intelligence to ensure resources (financial and human) are effectively allocated to achieve the goals and objectives of the City. Links resources to strategic imperatives and identifies, assesses, prioritizes, documents, reports and manages risk and its impact. Ensures safe work habits and models safety practices. 

EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION AND COLLABORATION - Effectively uses verbal, non-verbal, and active listening communication skills tailored to a variety of audiences. Articulates a compelling message and influences others to embrace a shared vision. Behaves authentically and demonstrates energy when attempting to establish interpersonal relationships. Ensures the clarity of a message delivered. Remains helpful, respectful, approachable and team-oriented. Builds strong working relationships and a positive work environment and shares expertise through consultation. Actively promotes solutions to problems through interdisciplinary approaches. Works together with others in a cooperative and supportive manner to achieve shared goals. Creates productive relationships interdepartmentally and with outside agencies. 

PEOPLE MANAGEMENT - Sets a clear vision for their team and links business unit performance and employee skills, competencies and performance to the City’s mission and organizational needs. Sets clear expectations, reviews progress, providing feedback and guidance, and holding employees accountable. Makes decisions, sets clear goals and provides their teams with the empowerment and tools to achieve success. Promotes positive team relations by investing in essential team routines that produce a healthy and inclusive culture, including performance management, professional development, celebrations, team bonding, effective problem solving and communication. Invests in employee learning, growth, development and improvement. Motivates employees in advancing and tracking career goals. Identifies and develops leadership skills among employees and team members within your department. 

SELF-MANAGEMENT - Plans ahead, manages time well, arrives on time. Behaves in a professional manner. Expresses and controls emotions and understands, interprets, and responds to the emotions of others appropriately. Understands, uses, and manages own emotions in ways to relieve stress, communicate effectively, empathize with others, overcome challenges and defuse conflict. Remains aware of feelings, actions and impressions in self and others. Remains open and receptive to feedback, demonstrates a willingness to learn, and embraces continuous improvement in self and others.

CORE COMPETENCIES - Core Competencies are the aptitudes, beliefs or actions that reflect the values of the organization and demonstrate what sets that organization apart, ultimately moving the organization toward the mission. Highly successful employees at the City of Reno will demonstrate these Core Competencies.

PRIDE - Acts in stewardship of public resources and public trust. Takes ownership of the success of the City mission seeking excellence in every act, and delivering efficient and high quality service. Strives to maximize public benefit and takes pride in the community we are creating.

CREATIVITY - Demonstrates forward thinking and embraces opportunities for continuous improvement. Thoughtfully overcomes challenges and seeks new solutions to resolve issues. Uses innovation to further the mission of the City of Reno.

INTEGRITY - Treats people with courtesy and respect. Achieves a standard of excellence, honoring City policies and all regulatory requirements. Holds self and others accountable and assumes a position of trust bringing honor to the mission of the City of Reno.

RESPECT - Instills public faith in the City of Reno by demonstrating a heart for public service and treating all people with dignity. Remains approachable and seeks to effectively communicate in a way that values others as a part of a greater community that we are all proud to call home.

WELCOMING - Demonstrates knowledge, understanding, appreciation, and commitment to a community that is diverse, equitable and inclusive. Holds self and others accountable in support of diversity and the richness it brings to our community. Cultivates a sense of belonging and appreciation; dedicates self to being part of creating and advancing a respectful and welcoming community, and upholds equity for all members of the community and organization.

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

1. Assume management responsibility for the City’s strategic planning program; design, develop, implement, and guide the City’s long-term strategic planning and organizational performance management process using principles of project management; recommend and administer policies and procedures.
2. Manage and participate in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, strategies, policies, and priorities for citywide and various departmental operations; lead and coordinate cross-functional teams in developing actionable frameworks and plans to execute on organizational goals; align organizational strategies and objectives across departments; work with cross-functional teams to resolve problems.
3. Develop, implement, and manage systems for monitoring and reporting metrics, data, and other information to measure organizational performance; prepare comprehensive reports, presentations, and strategic plans to inform and advise City leaders in the decision making process; conceptualize strategic initiatives and structure; present and coordinate updates to City leaders on progress made toward City goals; advise and coordinate strategic communication efforts to ensure internal and external knowledge progress toward City goals.  
4. Design and execute productive work sessions for cross-departmental staff, city leaders, and elected officials; prepare thoughtful and comprehensive content, notes, and status updates; collaborate with assigned teams to ensure effective project delivery.
5. Review and evaluate organizational performance toward goals, objectives, and the City’s vision; evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; recommend adjustments to the prioritization and operation of strategic initiatives to improve outcomes in alignment with goals and objectives.
6. Train and support relevant staff on the strategic planning and performance management process; advise administrative, department managers, and departmental staff members of the overall intent of strategic planning programs and projects; champion behaviors to execute and achieve desired value from strategic initiatives; facilitate a shared understanding, vision, and commitment to the strategic planning process.
7. Plan, direct, coordinate, and review the work plan for assigned staff and consultants; assign work activities, projects, and programs; review and evaluate work products, methods, and procedures; meet with staff and vendors to identify and resolve problems.
8. Select, train, motivate, and evaluate assigned personnel; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline and termination procedures.
9. Oversee and participate in the development and administration of the program’s annual budget; participate in the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials and supplies; monitor and approve expenditures; implement adjustments.
10. Serve as the liaison for strategic planning operations with other divisions, departments, and outside agencies; negotiate and resolve sensitive and controversial issues.
11. Serve as staff on a variety of boards, commissions, and committees; prepare and present staff reports and other necessary correspondence; lead monthly and quarterly reporting meetings and report on project status, budget, schedules, and other related updates
12. Manage or lead projects related to strategic initiatives and ensure activities are managed responsibly and comply with all relevant laws, regulations, and policies.
13. Provide responsible staff assistance to the Director of Policy and Strategy; conduct a variety of organizational studies, investigations, and operational studies; recommend modifications to strategic planning programs, policies, and procedures as appropriate.
14. Attend and participate in professional group meetings; maintain awareness of new trends and developments in the field of strategic planning and public administration; incorporate new developments as appropriate.
15. Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.
16. Perform related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:

Operational characteristics, services, and activities of a strategic planning and performance management program.

Advanced principles and practices of business and organizational analysis.

Principles and practices of public administration including the organization, functions, and problems of municipal government.

Business acumen and critical strategic thinking.

Operations, services, and activities of a municipality.

Project management strategies and processes.

Current social, political, and economic trends and operating problems of municipal government.

Principles and practices of program development and administration.

Methods and techniques of strategic planning.

Methods and techniques of research, statistical analysis, and report presentations.

Principles and applications of critical thinking and analysis.

Advanced principles of business letter writing and report preparation.

Principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration.

Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluation.

Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.

Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.

Ability to:

Oversee and participate in the management of a comprehensive strategic planning program.

Design, develop, implement, and guide the City’s long-term strategic planning process.

Manage diverse, cross-functional teams.

Review and evaluate program operations and activities for compliance with City policy.

Prepare clear and concise administrative and financial reports.

Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.

Participate in the development and administration of program goals, objectives and procedures.

Oversee, direct and coordinate the work of lower level staff.

Select, supervise, train and evaluate staff.

Prepare and administer large program budgets.

Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods and techniques.

Prepare clear and concise reports, professional correspondence, and presentations.

Handle multiple demands and priorities simultaneously.

Interpret and apply federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations.

Negotiate and resolve complex issues.

Deal constructively with conflict and developing consensus.

Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.

Work in a team based environment to achieve common goals.

Coordinate multiple projects and complex tasks simultaneously.

Effectively listen to meet the needs of assigned programs and projects.

Meet the physical requirements to safely and effectively perform the assigned duties.

Continuously follow up and follow-through on all strategic initiatives.

Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Demonstrate principles of persuasion and communicate effectively with staff at all levels and community members.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.Work independently with minimal daily supervision.

Adapt to rapidly changing needs and priorities.

Education and Experience Guidelines - Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education/Training:

A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in business administration, public administration, or a related field.

Experience:

Five years of increasingly responsible strategic planning experience including experience in local government.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Environment: Work is performed primarily in a standard office setting with some travel to attend meetings; incumbents may be required to work extended hours including evenings and weekends.

Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard; and to verbally communicate to exchange information.