Director, Strategic Projects


About the USGA: 

The USGA conducts the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open and U.S. Senior Open, as well as 10 national amateur championships, two state team championships and international matches. Together with The R&A, the USGA governs the game worldwide, jointly administering the Rules of Golf, Rules of Amateur Status, Equipment Standards and World Amateur Golf Rankings. The USGA’s working jurisdiction comprises the United States, its territories and Mexico.  

The USGA is a global leader in the development and support of sustainable golf course management practices. It serves as a primary steward for the game’s history and funds an ongoing "For the Good of the Game" charitable giving program. Additionally, the USGA’s Course Rating and Handicap systems are used on six continents in more than 50 countries.  


 

Location: 

Far Hills, NJ
 

Reports to: 

Sr. Managing Director, Public Services
 

Position Summary: 

The Director, Strategic Projects will manage the planning, development and execution of strategically significant projects that cut across functional areas and core programs of the Association and typically involve multiple internal and external stakeholders. Initially, the position will focus on leading the USGA’s comprehensive Pace of Play initiative. Additionally, he/she will study select issues of strategic significance to the Association; develop, plan and deploy initiatives and tactics in response to these issues according to established timelines and within budget; and coordinate the management and reporting of performance metrics related to these initiatives. This includes coordinating resources and the efforts of team members, business owners, third-party vendors or consultants, and external constituents in order to deliver projects appropriately. The role is also responsible for formulating presentations and reports to USGA leadership related to these strategic initiatives, which will include monitoring and analysis of progress against established timelines and relevant metrics, and communication of significant results. As necessary to support these efforts, he/she will cultivate relationships and engage with relevant partners, external constituencies and key stakeholders.


Duties 

Strategy & Planning

  • Structure, conduct and interpret analyses and research related to select strategic issues. Conduct related research as required (interviews, web searches, etc.); collect and analyze quantitative and qualitative data; and synthesize findings and recommend course of action.
  • Define project scope, goals, and deliverables of strategic initiatives in collaboration with relevant internal and external constituents.
  • Ensure initiatives align with the priorities of the USGA strategic plan, including clearly defined success indicators.
  • Determine the frequency and content of status reports from the project team.
  • Define project success criteria and disseminate them to project team.
  • Identify risks associated with the initiative, to the project or across the organization, and develop strategies for mitigating potential exposures.
  • Develop best practices for project execution and management.
  • Conduct project post mortems and create a recommendations report in order to identify successful and unsuccessful project elements.

Project Management

  • Develop project timelines and milestones, implement use of appropriate monitoring tools, and provide clear estimates for man hour and financial resources to senior leadership.
  • Develop implementation plans for all aspects of initiatives, including designing tests, soliciting feedback or user group studies, and drafting clear requirements for execution of the final implementation plan.
  • Direct and manage internal and external members of project team from beginning to end.
  • Proactively monitor and manage project budget, recommending subsequent budget changes where necessary throughout the project lifecycle.
  • Liaise on an ongoing basis with critical stakeholders in order to track and report project milestones, deliverables, resource parameters, and budget.
  • Proactively manage project dependencies, changes in project scope, identify potential crises, devise contingency plans, and report to management on these elements as appropriate.
  • Maintain all necessary documentation of project.
  • Build, develop, and grow critical internal and external relationships vital to the success of the project.
  • Facilitate project team meetings as necessary.

Performance Metrics

  • Identify the most relevant performance metrics to demonstrate success of project.
  • Research and assist in the recommendation of appropriate monitoring tools.
  • Coordinate the monitoring, collection, and reporting of project metrics. Collaborate with internal and external team members, as appropriate, to facilitate this task.
  • Generate reports to USGA leadership.

Reporting

  • Prepare and deliver briefings, presentations and/or reports to USGA leadership demonstrating progress and impact of strategic initiatives.
  • Prepare and deliver briefings, presentations and/or reports to key external constituencies and industry leaders demonstrating progress and impact of strategic initiatives.
  • Work with USGA Communications Department to develop and deploy appropriate communications and public relations plans related to strategic initiatives.
  • Serve as public spokesperson for strategic initiatives, as necessary and as directed by USGA Communications Department. 
  

Working Relationships 

 

  • USGA leadership, including senior management team, USGA President, and Executive Committee
  • Department managers across the Association, as relevant to strategic issues and opportunities
  • Allied national and international golf associations, including (but not limited to) The R&A, PGA of America, LPGA, PGA Tour, World Golf Foundation and state and regional golf associations
  • Leaders and influencers across the golf industry, including (but not limited to) manufacturers, vendors, facility owners and managers, and the golf media
  • USGA media and corporate partners

 


Knowledge, Education, Skills & Abilities 

 

  • Minimum BS/BA or equivalent required.
  • Extensive working knowledge of golf, the golf industry, and the USGA stakeholders and key constituencies required. 
  • Demonstrated understanding of key strategic issues facing golf and the USGA.
  • 5-7+ years’ experience working in a management position.
  • Flexibility to travel as necessary.
  • A consensus builder, who can unite a team behind a common vision and voice.
  • Excellent analytical, judgment and problem-solving skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to conduct and interpret quantitative and qualitative analyses.
  • Ability to comprehend and communicate complex issues.
  • Superior oral and written communication and presentation skills.
  • Ability to develop effective partnerships with internal and external constituencies.


To Apply: 

We will accept applications for this position through Friday, April 5.  To apply, please click on the following link: Director, Strategic Projects.