Senior Strategic Program Advisor

Position Summary:

The Senior Strategic Program Advisor supports the Chief Operating Officer by providing high-level program analysis, strategic coordination, and operational oversight across key agency divisions. This role evaluates the effectiveness and efficiency of housing and resident-focused programs to ensure they are performing in alignment with organizational standards and objectives. The Advisor partners closely with division leaders to develop, implement, and monitor strategic goals for the Housing Choice Voucher Program, Compliance, and Blue Horizon Property Management.

 

Working as a trusted thought partner to the COO, the Senior Strategic Program Advisor assists in designing and executing project plans, tracking progress, and resolving issues that impact operational outcomes. The role produces both routine and ad hoc reports and insights that inform executive decision-making, while also representing the COO in internal and external meetings as assigned. This position plays a pivotal role in driving cross-functional alignment, strengthening program performance, and advancing agency-wide strategic priorities.

 

The duties listed below illustrate the various types of work that may be performed. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

Responsibilities:

 

Serves as a strategic advisor to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), supporting executive decision-making, coordinating priorities, and ensuring alignment across divisions.

 

Maintains consistent communication between the COO’s office and division leaders, preparing materials, advancing decisions, and providing follow-through on executive directives.

 

Conducts comprehensive analyses of housing and resident-focused programs to evaluate performance, efficiency, and alignment with organizational standards.

 

Identifies operational gaps and opportunities for improvement, recommending and assisting with the implementation of corrective actions.

 

Partners with division leaders to develop measurable strategic goals for the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program, Compliance, and Blue Horizon Property Management.

 

Monitors progress toward strategic objectives, identifying risks, barriers, and mitigation strategies needed to maintain momentum.

 

Facilitates cross-functional collaboration to ensure divisions remain aligned with organizational priorities and are equipped to meet performance expectations.

 

Leads regular check-ins with division leaders, synthesizing updates, tracking performance indicators, and preparing executive summaries for the COO.

 

Assists the COO in developing and executing project plans, including defining scopes, timelines, milestones, and desired outcomes.

 

Coordinates resources and stakeholders across divisions to support timely and effective project execution, escalating issues requiring executive attention.

 

Develops and delivers ad hoc and recurring reports, dashboards, and analytical summaries that support data-driven decisions at the executive level.

 

Gathers and interprets qualitative and quantitative data across programs to provide clear, actionable insights for the COO.

 

Represents the COO in internal and external meetings as assigned, communicating priorities, gathering information, and ensuring accurate documentation of decisions and follow-up actions.

 

Builds and maintains strong working relationships with internal teams, partners, and external stakeholders to support collaborative problem-solving and strategic progress.

 

Performs other duties as assigned.

 

Education and Experience:

 

Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Urban Studies, Public Policy, or a related field is preferred. An associate degree with substantial directly relevant experience will be considered. Five (5) or more years of progressively responsible experience in program analysis, strategic planning, project management, or organizational performance within a public agency, housing authority, nonprofit organization, or similarly complex environment. Experience supporting or advising senior-level executives or leadership teams.

 

Demonstrated experience managing cross-functional initiatives, analyzing program performance, and developing data-driven recommendations. Experience working with housing programs, social services, community development, or related operational areas is strongly preferred.

 

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

 

Knowledge and Skills:

Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills, with the ability to interpret complex data and translate findings into actionable recommendations.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare high-quality executive-level reports and presentations.

Proven ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Strong collaboration and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work effectively across diverse teams and stakeholders.

Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and analytical or reporting tools (e.g., Excel, Power BI, Tableau) preferred.

Ability to navigate complex organizational structures and operate effectively across varied operational divisions.

Strong facilitation skills, with the ability to lead meetings, coordinate discussions, and drive alignment toward shared goals.

Demonstrated strategic thinking, including the ability to identify trends, anticipate challenges, and recommend proactive solutions.

High level of discretion, sound judgment, and professionalism in handling confidential or sensitive information.

Ability to adapt quickly to shifting priorities while maintaining accuracy, organization, and attention to detail.

Ability to understand, interpret, and implement verbal and written instructions, policies, and procedures.

 

Supervision Controls

The employee receives instructions from the Chief Operating Officer. Courses of action, deadlines and priorities are established by policy, procedure, rule, regulation or the Chief Operating Officer, depending upon the assignment. Normal duty assignments are performed by the employee based on his/her own judgment. Special projects are managed with little oversight.

 

Guidelines

Guidelines include established policies and procedures, traditional practices, reference material such as desk manuals, dictionaries, handbooks, federal regulations and the Internet. If guidelines do not cover a situation, the employee consults the Chief Operating Officer. Sound judgment, consistency and accuracy are needed to successfully perform duties.

 

Complexity

The Sr. Strategic Program Advisory performs a wide variety of non-routine tasks. The employee must identify the work that needs to be done based on critical need and impact to INLIVIAN operations and determine how to accomplish it, while exercising considerable judgment regarding the impact and avoidance of downtime as a result of decisions.

 

Some difficulty may be experienced in performing multiple user/department projects that are time-sensitive, while maintaining a high degree of accuracy and judgment.

 

Scope and Effect

The employee's work affects the INLIVIAN as a whole. Effective supporting the Chief Operating Officer enables INLIVIAN to deliver quality services to clients. Through appropriate execution of duties, the Sr. Strategic Program Advisor can sensure that INLIVIAN can more effectively and efficiently achieve its’ goals and mission.

 

Personal Contacts

The employee has contact with a broad range of individuals including; co-workers, residents, perspective residents, community leaders, and other professional colleagues and Agency partners. Personal contacts serve multiple purposes including; giving or exchanging information, making decisions, providing services, influencing, resolving problems, motivating and justifying.

 

Physical Requirements

Must be able to sit and/or stand for up to eight hours at a time while performing work duties.

 

Work may involve some physical exertion, such as kneeling, crouching, reaching, carrying or lifting and eyestrain from working with computers and other office equipment.

 

Must be able to bend, stoop, push, and pull in the performance of duties.

 

Must be able to use fingers bilaterally and unilaterally to operate office equipment.

 

Must have vision and hearing corrected to be able to perform essential job functions.

 

Must be able to perform essential job functions in an environment that will sometimes include increased levels of work-related stress.

 

Must be able to maintain punctuality and attendance as scheduled.

 

An employee may request a reasonable accommodation to mitigate any of the physical requirements listed above.

 

Work Environment

Work involves the normal risks or discomfort associated with an office environment and is usually in an area that is adequately cooled, heated, lighted and ventilated.

 

Other Requirements

Must possess a valid State of North Carolina or South Carolina driver’s license and regularly participate in continuous improvement and education. Must work with the highest degree of confidentiality.