University Engagement Strategist

• Serve as the functional and strategic lead for the annual university-wide employee engagement survey, managing the vendor relationship, survey administration, communication strategies, and data integrity.
• Analyze complex survey data and synthesize findings into executive-level briefings, delivering actionable updates, trend analysis, and recommendations to Deans, Vice Presidents, and Cabinet leadership.
• Partner with HR Business Partners (HRBPs) and unit leaders to facilitate post-survey action planning, designing central toolkits, train-the-trainer resources, and tailored engagement strategies for decentralized units.
• Explore and implement ongoing employee feedback mechanisms (e.g., pulse surveys, lifecycle feedback) to continuously evaluate the employee experience.

• Drive the strategy and program design for marquee university-wide staff appreciation initiatives, including the annual GW Step Challenge, employee socials, and community-building events.
• Serve as the primary HR lead in partnership with the University Events team to co-design and execute large-scale signature events (500–2000+ attendees), including the annual Employee Festival and Staff Awards.
• Direct the university’s Career Milestone program, managing vendor agreements, communications, the gift/yearbook platform, and the annual recognition ceremony.
• Oversee the annual review and administration of the Staff Emeriti program.

• Manage the employee event, engagement budget, tracking expenditures and negotiating with external vendors to maximize program ROI.
• Partner with university communications and internal communication team to develop comprehensive messaging, branding, and promotional plans to increase awareness and participation in engagement initiatives.
• Maintain central engagement and leadership calendars to maximize visibility, participation, and alignment across all university initiatives.
• Establish metrics and analytics to evaluate the reach, participation rate, and overall impact of engagement programs across the university.
• Provide supervision or oversight to event-day support staff, student workers, or temporary staff as required.

• Previous experience working within a university or a large, complex, decentralized institutional environment.
• Hands-on experience with enterprise employee engagement survey platforms (e.g., Qualtrics, Gallup).
• Experience facilitating strategic engagement discussions and action-planning workshops.

• Commitment to GW’s Values: Deep alignment with institutional goals, ethical standards, and community standards.
• Strategic & Action-Oriented: A positive, solution-focused mindset with the ability to move seamlessly between big-picture planning and tactical execution.
• Collaborative Partner: Proven skill in building strong, trust-based partnerships across decentralized units and diverse employee populations.
• Accountable & Self-Driven: Takes full ownership of commitments, meets deadlines, and demonstrates strong self-direction.
• Adaptive Communicator: Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal skills with the flexibility to navigate organizational change.

How is pay for new employees determined at GW?

The university is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that does not unlawfully discriminate in any of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.