The Dean’s Strategic Leadership Fellow is a two-year position supporting Darden’s Dean and the Darden enterprise on the school’s current, highest strategic priorities using the latest tools in analytics, data-driven decision making and technical expertise. The Fellow will work as an internal strategy consultant and lead strategy analyst focused on a variety of critical enterprise projects that require cutting edge analytic and problem-solving skills that advance the strategic priorities of Darden. A core part of this work will be identifying, sourcing and executing projects that create efficiency and incremental impact for the Darden Enterprise while releasing resources for redeployment in the organization, including through the cutting-edge use of artificial intelligence and other advanced technology and data analysis tools. The Fellow will have leadership responsibility for working with a team of Future Year Scholar Fellow(s), MBA students, interns, and others to advance this work.

To succeed in this role, the Fellow must bring rigorous analytical thinking, exceptional quantitative capabilities and knowledge of how to apply data-driven approaches to problem diagnosis, solution development and implementations. The position is ideal for individuals with a specialized MBA that includes a strong focus on analytics, data and management science, deep curiosity, a structured approach to problem-solving, and a passion for using data to drive strategic decision-making across a complex organization. The ideal candidate will be comfortable working with large data sets, performing statistical analysis, and using data-driven approaches to inform decision-making, with knowledge of the latest technologies and tools required, including approaches using AI.

The Fellow will be comfortable scoping project requirements for strategic initiatives, gathering extensive stakeholder input and engagement, conducting sophisticated analysis, developing presentations for executive-level audiences, leading teams in a collaborative, matrix environment and managing others, and overseeing complex projects to deliver timely results against key priorities. The Fellow will lead organizational efficiency and impact initiatives, with a focus on the deployment of new capabilities using AI and other technologies, in partnership with Strategic IT and other units, and demonstrate impact through value creation and savings over his or her tenure in the role. He or she will deal well with ambiguity, demonstrate flexibility with changing needs and exhibit grace under pressure. The Fellow will be a team player, able to work within a matrixed and non-hierarchical structure and work independently using a high level of analytical and people skills.

This position has a 2-year term limit. This is a competitively paid position, including a generous benefits package. Each Fellow will receive personal coaching from the dean of Darden and other senior leaders. Multiple Fellows may be appointed in any one year.

Analytical and Quantitative Responsibilities:

• Conduct robust data analysis to identify operational inefficiencies, track KPIs, and evaluate the success of strategic initiatives.
• Develop and maintain sophisticated financial models, dashboards, and data visualizations to support enterprise-wide decisions.
• Translate complex data into compelling insights and clearly communicate recommendations to senior leadership.
• Perform statistical analysis and forecasting to evaluate current trends and predict future outcomes in the business of higher education.
• Work across departments to source, validate, and synthesize both qualitative and quantitative inputs to inform strategic initiatives.
• Leverage tools such as Excel, SQL, Tableau, Power BI, Python, and R to analyze large data sets and produce actionable insights. Be highly conversant with the latest tools in data analysis and presentation and their use to drive decision-making.
• Deploy new AI tools to create organizational value and pilot opportunities to facilitate greater AI adoption that will create efficiency across the organization.
• Design and execute internal consulting projects that include data audits, process mapping, benchmarking studies, and cost-benefit analyses.
• Champion data integrity and analytical best practices across the organization, promoting a culture of evidence-based decision-making.

Support for Strategic Priorities of Darden:

• Conducts research and provides analysis related to the development and implementation of the strategic plan to advance Darden’s mission through specific strategic initiatives.
• Leads internal consulting engagements on Darden Enterprise strategic priorities, including providing leadership and management to teams made up of Future Year Scholars Fellows and/or MBA students and interns, ensuring high impact of these teams. Manages student-led or initiated strategy projects for the Dean’s Office.
• Leads internal efficiency efforts with the Dean’s Office, including identifying technology and other tools that can be deployed in existing processes and operations across the organization to release resources for redeployment and create cost, time and other savings for the organization. Serve as an internal consultant to senior Darden leaders on how to create value for the organization.
• Researches and analyzes issues in higher education. Develops appropriate external benchmarking analysis, conducts industry analysis, problem-solves, and makes recommendations based on best practices in higher education and management education trends befitting a top-10 global business school.
• Involving key stakeholders as appropriate, support the Dean’s projects including research, analysis, and soliciting, assimilating, and shaping recommendations.
• Researches, coordinates, and drafts briefing and background materials for the Dean, Chief of Staff and Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer in advance of meetings and events.
• Prepares reports and recommendations for leadership that effectively communicate trends, patterns, and predictions using relevant data.
• Develops executive-level presentations and analyses for use by the senior leadership of the School, makes presentations and recommendations to internal stakeholders.
• Serves as a liaison between the Dean’s Office and other University/Darden departments for specific projects and assignments. May work within a given Darden department on a special assignment as required for a fixed period of time.
• Carries out other duties as assigned by the dean’s office.
• Directly supervises the Darden Future Years Scholar (FYS) Fellowship team. The Graduate Fellow draws upon critical concepts learned through the MBA classroom experience to provide mentorship to this group of pre-MBA fellows. The Graduate Fellow offers guidance and direction on how to approach projects, engage with stakeholders, and present ideas and data in a concise and impactful manner.
• Determines and prioritizes enterprise-wide initiatives for FYS engagement. Manages the project workload to match initiatives/projects with the skills, interest and bandwidth of the FYS Fellows.
• Provides mentorship to the FYS Fellows by meeting regularly, both individually and as a team. Provides timely feedback and ensures their work is challenging and meaningful.
• Engages with senior leadership on current FYS projects, determines future initiatives and gathers feedback on the impact of the FYS team across the Enterprise.

Required Education:

• Master’s Degree required. Strong preference for Darden MBA degree, with a specialization in management science with coursework in data analytics, decision sciences, etc.

• Three to five years of relevant experience is required. This includes sophisticated analytical thinking and exceptional quantitative capabilities.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex data sets and draw meaningful insights.

• Strong quantitative skills, including proficiency with statistical analysis and modeling.

• Ability to apply logical thinking and structured problem-solving to business challenges.

• Comfortable synthesizing large volumes of information into clear recommendations.

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy and integrity.

• Demonstrated leadership in developing and executing data-driven strategies across business units.

• Experience using data to evaluate performance, inform investment decisions, and optimize processes.

• Proficient in analytical tools and platforms (e.g., Excel, SQL, BI tools, financial modeling, forecasting techniques).

• Ability to mine data from primary and secondary sources, then reorganize data in a format that can be easily manipulated.

• Proven track record of influencing executive decision-making through data-backed recommendations.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills; proven ability to clearly articulate information in multiple forums to a broad array of stakeholders.

• Excellent operational and project management skills, including the ability to prioritize and multi-task.

• Ability to handle sensitive issues while maintaining complete confidentiality; strong integrity and sound judgment about highly sensitive information and issues in a variety of settings, including ability to exercise appropriate discretion with highly confidential engagements.

• High level of emotional intelligence, empathy, and collaboration that allows the incumbent to achieve results through informal authority.

• Ability to interact with executive level administrators, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and other stakeholders in a productive, positive and professional manner.

• Leadership and management skills; ability to effectively lead team(s) in a matrix and internal consulting environment, provide coaching and development for members of the team, and create a highly positive and collaborative work climate within the team(s).

• Impact and end product orientation; gets things done both individually and through others.

• Believes in and is motivated by Darden’s mission.

To Apply:

Apply online; Internal applicants must apply through their UVA Workday profile. Complete the application, and upload the following Required materials:

• Resume

• Cover letter detailing your interest in the position

***Please note that you MUST upload ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS into the CV/Resume box, into which multiple documents can be uploaded. Applications that do not contain all of the required documents will not receive full consideration.***

For this position, the selected candidate will need to complete the required background checks prior to the start date of the position.

This position will remain open until filled.

Questions regarding the application process should be directed to Marcus Rozier, Academic Recruiter, at hjv5vm@virginia.edu.

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Click here to read more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.