Strategic Initiatives Specialist chez Louisiana Public Health Institute

Description

STRATEGIC INITIATIVES SPECIALIST

Why is this a great job? (From the hiring manager) “This role offers a unique opportunity to work closely with executive leadership on high-impact projects that advance health equity across Louisiana and beyond. You’ll play a critical role in keeping our strategic initiatives organized, moving forward, and clearly communicated. Every day brings variety—from writing content to coordinating meetings with partners and internal teams. Your work will directly contribute to meaningful public health change. If you’re proactive, detail-oriented, and excited to grow in a mission-driven organization, we’d love to have you on our team.”

POSITION DETAILS

Job Title: Strategic Initiatives Specialist  

Salary: $60,000 - $63,500

• Salary is based on various factors unique to each candidate, including skill set, experience, qualifications, and other job-related reasons

Work Schedule: 40-hour work week

• LPHI offers traditional (M-F, 8 am-5 pm) and flexible (for example, M-F 10 am-7pm. Schedule details finalized between employee and supervisor. 

Location: This is a Louisiana-based, hybrid position with some (<10%) travel required

• LPHI maintains an office in New Orleans if the employee prefers to be 100% in-office
• Employee must reside in Louisiana during the time of employment

Team: Capacity Building

Reports To: Chief Program Officer 

Supervises: N/A

Benefits:

• LPHI contributes 7% of pre-tax salary to employee 401k per pay period regardless of employee contribution, after six continuous months of employment
• 100% paid premiums for employee health (Core plan), dental, short-term disability, long-term disability and term life insurance beginning on the first day of the month following first day of full-time employment
• 100% paid Employee Assistance Program
• 100% paid parking at 601 Tchoupitoulas Parking Garage
• Traditional, flexible, or compressed work schedules
• Resources committed to professional development
• Holidays, Vacation and Sick Days:
• 15+ paid holidays per year that includes Thanksgiving Break (Wednesday-Friday) and Winter Break (Christmas Eve – January 1)
• 10 vacation days accrued per year, years 0-2
• 15 vacation days accrued per year, years 3-5
• 20 vacation days accrued per year, year 6+ 
• 3 personal days
• 1 floating holiday (employee’s choice)
• 12 sick days

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Strategic Initiatives Specialist will support the successful implementation of high-priority and emerging initiatives aligned with LPHI’s strategic goals. This role provides efficient, high-level administrative, project coordination, and communication support to the Chief Program Officer (CPO) ,the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the Strategic Initiatives team. The ideal candidate will be an organized self-starter with excellent writing and interpersonal skills, capable of managing multiple moving pieces while ensuring the CPO remains informed, prepared, and on task.

The Strategic Initiatives Specialist plays a key role in facilitating cross-functional collaboration, supporting internal communication, and assisting with the development and tracking of programmatic and executive-level priorities.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities 

Specialized Administrative Support

• Provide comprehensive scheduling support for internal and external meetings, including preparation, logistics, and follow-up activities.
• Prepare and manage materials for CPO meetings, including agendas, briefings, and meeting summaries with action items and responsible parties.
• Monitor and help maintain the CPO’s calendar, anticipating and resolving conflicts proactively.
• Support the timely processing of reimbursements, invoices, and related administrative tasks.
• Track and organize programmatic priorities and action items ensuring timely follow-up and execution. 
• Maintain organized filing systems of key documents, meeting notes, and initiative materials.
• Promote operational improvements by identifying and implementing streamlined processes for executive and team support.
• Engage in professional development activities to strengthen job-related skills and knowledge.
• Manage sensitive information with confidentiality, discretion and professionalism. 

Strategic Initiatives Coordination

• Coordinate and support strategic and special initiatives, ensuring alignment with LPHI’s organizational goals and deadlines.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to ensure alignment and progress towards goals. 
• Assist in the design and manage logistics and communications for cross-departmental meetings, workgroups, trainings, and events, using in-person, virtual, or hybrid formats. 
• Support initiative tracking by updating project plans, timelines, dashboards, and other planning tools.
• Draft and manage initiative-related communications such as emails to partners, project updates, promotional materials, and website content.
• Create and maintain an organized document library to ensure version control and accessibility of initiative-related materials.
• Anticipate project needs, identify potential barriers, and collaborate with team members to drive tasks forward and meet deadlines.
• Actively participate in department- and organization-wide meetings and trainings.

Strategic Initiatives Team Support

• Provide comprehensive scheduling support for internal and external meetings, including preparation, logistics, and follow-up activities.
• Provide surge or project-based support to the projects initiatives team during peak periods, including research, material preparation, and related 
• Assist in cross-functional projects requiring coordination between programs, operations, and leadership teams.
• Contribute to organization-wide initiatives that advance the mission and strategic plan.

Content and Communications Creation

• Draft clear, compelling emails, correspondence, talking points, memos, reports, presentation materials on behalf of the CPO and CEO and synthesizing input from multiple stakeholders. 
• Prepare monthly internal program report emails. 
• Develop content for monthly board communications and quarterly board meeting presentations on behalf of the CPO
• Consolidate programmatic content for newsletters and supporting the creation of additional collateral on behalf of the CPO. 

External Relationship Management

• Support the development and stewardship of relationships with key partners, funders, coalitions, and public officials. 
• Support preparation, coordination, and follow-up for external meetings, presentations, and proposals 
• Represent the CPO office in external convenings, as needed or delegated. 

ABOUT YOU

Position Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in public health, social sciences, communications, or related field—or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 1–3 years of relevant professional experience in project coordination, communications, executive support, and/or project implementation.
• Previous experience in public health or in a nonprofit environment. 
• Exceptional writing skills, with the ability to craft professional, concise, and effective communications.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to think proactively, be a self-starter, and function both independently and as part of a team.
• Experience supporting executive level and senior leadership. 
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Teams) and other project management software such as Monday.com is a plus. 

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities 

• Ability to collaborate effectively and build strong, positive relationships with colleagues and partners, both internal and external to LPHI.
• Exceptional emotional intelligence, including interpersonal skills and experience working with individuals and groups from diverse backgrounds.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to multiple complex projects simultaneously.
• Demonstrated learning orientation; ability to learn new subject areas quickly.
• Ability to champion and manage change.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver with excellent quality and impact.
• Ability to apply systems thinking and act strategically.
• Commitment to public health and achieving health equity.
• Strong organizational skills required.
• Ability to think proactively and function independently and must be able to work well in a team.
• Ability to maintain a highly detail-oriented approach while maintaining an appreciation of the long-term goals and objectives of the project.
• Proven and excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to utilize virtual meeting platforms, including but not limited to Microsoft Teams and Zoom to participate and coordinate meetings and activities in a virtual environment.

ABOUT US
The Louisiana Public Health Institute (LPHI) is a statewide, non-profit organization that has been promoting the health and well-being of Louisianians since 1997. Our 100+ employees work alongside 500+ partner organizations at the local, state, and national levels to leverage our broad expertise in public health to achieve our mission of ensuring that everyone has fair and just opportunities to be healthy and well.  

Our strategic plan priority areas include Racial Justice and Health Equity, Partnerships and Collaboration, A Healthier Louisiana, and A Thriving Organization. To learn more, visit lphi.org.

Physical and Mental Requirements:

• Ability to remain in a stationary position for extended periods (sitting or standing). 
• Ability to operate a keyboard with repetitive motion. 
• Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment.
• Ability to communicate effectively with external and internal team members. 

Working Conditions:

• This position is based in an office or home office setting.
• Occasional travel may be required for training or meetings.
• Usual workday hours or flexible schedules can be considered. 

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement: Louisiana Public Health Institute is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at [email protected]. 

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement: Louisiana Public Health Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race (including hair texture and natural hair styles), color, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and religious grooming practices), sex (including pregnancy, perceived pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender, gender identity (including transgender identity, status and transitioning), gender expression and sex stereotyping, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, legally protected medical condition or information (including genetic information), family care or medical leave status, military caregiver status, military status, veteran status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, enrollment in a public assistance program, engaging in protected communications regarding employee wages, requesting a reasonable accommodation on the basis of disability or bona fide religious belief or practice, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal laws. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any of these factors.

*As with all positions at LPHI, this position is funded through grant and/or contract funding, which is renewed under the provisions of the grantor of the contract. Positions are contingent upon the continuation of grant/contract funding.