Director of Strategic Initiatives

The City of Savannah is set within a vibrant and diverse community, filled with charm and great people! We are always looking for hidden gems ready to champion challenges, foster a culture of belonging, and make a difference within the communities we serve!

The Savannah Police Department is seeking a dynamic individual to be actively engaged in research, analytics, planning, government relations, executive communications, technology, and strategic planning activities of the group SPD’s Command Staff. The position is a direct report to the Chief of Police and assists the Office of the Chief in daily management and planning. The Director is responsible for formalizing the Department’s strategic planning process, including leading its development, translating it for people across the department, driving organizational change by creating new relationships across the department, community, and city government, and establishing greater transparency and accountability. Salary Commensurate with experience.

Essential Job Functions

• Design and manage projects and initiatives assigned by the Chief of Police.
• Act as an executive advisor to the Chief of Police on critical changes in the field of law enforcement and public safety.
• Engage with outside stakeholders in the areas of research, technology, best practices, and policy.
• Support special initiatives including the preparation of materials for, and presentations to, internal and external stakeholders.
• Stay aware of and engaged with emerging technology and its developers.
• Provide guidance and strategic direction for analytic units in the department, including establishing and maintaining relationships with city and external data-sharing and analytic partners.
• Partner with other executive staff to accomplish short- and long-term operational goals.
• Advise on and produce executive communications strategies and content.
• Project management with the ability to produce, track and manage multiple deliverables with overlapping deadlines in a political environment.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to achieve organizational goals.
• Build collaborative, productive, and respectful relationships with community leaders, law enforcement institutions, and community-based organizations.
• Navigate institutions to promote and get buy-in on innovative and potentially controversial strategies.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Requires a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, criminology, public or business administration or relevant field; with four (4) years of experience in Senior manager level experience working in government; or a combination of education and/or training and/or experience which provide equivalent background required to perform the work of the classification.

Must possess and maintain a valid state driver's license with an acceptable driving history.

Salary Commensurate with experience.

• A Ph.D. in criminal justice, criminology, public policy, or relevant field is highly preferred.
• A systems-oriented thinker with the ability to analyze complex relationships and situations, think outside the box, act, and promote entrepreneurial and innovative approaches at the system level and across the whole of government.
• Dynamic forward thinker that can anticipate trends in the field and mastermind innovative solutions.
• Superior presentation and communication skills.
• Executive speech writing experience.
• Comfort with and demonstrated ability to work on a multidisciplinary team with a diverse range of skills and communication styles.
• Ability to self-manage, organize, and deliver, on schedule, under high pressure conditions.
• Demonstrated understanding of racial equity and social justice values.
• A passion to work towards reducing harm in the criminal justice system.
• Facilitation, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.

Additional Information

Knowledge of the structure, policies, and procedures of the municipal organization.
Knowledge of the City Code and City policies.
Knowledge of city budget procedures.
Knowledge of research and analysis methods.
Knowledge of computers and other modern office equipment.
Skill in developing short- and long-range plans.
Skill in establishing priorities and organizing work.
Skill in the operation of computers and other modern office equipment.
Skill in public and interpersonal relations.
Skill in oral and written communication

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS: The Chief of Police assigns work in terms of goals and objectives. The work is reviewed through conferences, reports, and observation of office activities.

GUIDELINES: Guidelines include city ordinances, state codes, the city policies and procedures, and supervisory instructions. These guidelines require judgment, selection, and interpretation in application.

COMPLEXITY: The work consists of varied management duties. Frequent interruptions and strict deadlines contribute to the complexity of the position.

SCOPE AND EFFECT: The purpose of this position is to assist the Chief of Police in the management of special projects. Successful performance in this position results in the completion and success of major projects in a timely manner.

PERSONAL CONTACTS: Contacts are typically with co-workers, department heads, other city employees, elected and appointed officials, attorneys, vendors, contractors, and members of the public.

PURPOSE OF CONTACTS: Contacts are typically to give or exchange information, motivate personnel, provide services, resolve problems, justify decisions, and negotiate and settle matters.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work is typically performed while sitting at a desk or table.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work is typically performed in an office.

SUPERVISORY AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY: None.