Chief of Staff to the President

University of Washington•Seattle, WA

21d•$285,000 - $365,004•Hybrid

About The Position

The Chief of Staff to the President serves as a senior advisor to the President and key member of the university senior leadership team. The position functions as a strategic partner to the Board of Regents, President, Provost, and university senior leadership leadership, helping to ensure effective governance, communication, operational efficiency, and strategic alignment on behalf of the university President. The Chief of Staff advises, collaborates, and works closely with senior UW leadership on behalf of the President to facilitate executive decision-making that advances the University's mission and aligns with the institution's strategic goals. As a representative of the Executive Office of the President and Provost, this position cultivates a sense of shared purpose within the Executive Office, promotes a positive workplace climate, and proactively prepares the President and the Executive Office team for critical issues and priorities. Day to day operations of the Executive Office are dynamic, and a high level of professional discretion is crucial to this position and its interactions with senior UW leadership and members of the wider university community. The Chief of Staff functions as a liaison on behalf of the university President, helping to advance key institutional priorities in a dynamic day-to-day operating environment. The position interacts with a diverse range of internal and external constituencies and must to be adept at building and maintaining constructive and positive relationships. The Executive Office is highly visible, striving to provide exceptional service to all who request assistance from the University of Washington. The Chief of Staff correspondingly encompasses this high level of service.

Requirements

Master's degree with at least 5 years of high-level experience in higher education, non-profit or public sectors
Demonstrated ability to independently set priorities, plan, organize, coordinate and direct multiple, concurrent projects and complex tasks, coupled with the ability to develop and move strategic agendas forward and drive a high volume of work to completion
Excellent interpersonal skills necessary to establish and maintain positive working relationships and ensure collaboration and cooperation among units reporting to and interfacing with the President and Provost
Strong leadership and supervisory skills with an emphasis on accountability, collaboration and creativity
Ability to use independent judgement and manage sensitive and/or confidential information with discretion
Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to effectively communicate with diverse constituencies
High level of analytical, planning and organizational skills
Strong technical aptitude; ability to learn technology quickly
Strong commitment to advancing a diverse, equitable, and inclusive campus community
Awareness of best practices and emerging opportunities and challenges in higher education
This recruitment requires a cover letter. We would like to know more about your related background and skills. Your application will not be considered unless you attach a cover letter.

Nice To Haves

Strong familiarity with the University of Washington, including its structure, operations, and key issues
Doctoral or professional degree in a relevant field with at least 5 years of high-level experience in higher education, non-profit or public sectors

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership In collaboration with the President and the President's direct reports, facilitates decision-making and track progress on key goals.
Obtains and organizes data and other information needed to support the functions, initiatives and priorities of the President.
Monitors and reports progress.
Serves as the President's delegate and representative at meetings as directed to help facilitate timely decision-making and share the perspectives and priorities of the President.
Demonstrates responsiveness and discretion to build trust-based relationships across campus.
Provides project management and decision support for cross-unit initiatives and issues, including the development of detailed plans and timelines.
Facilitates open and constructive communication and workflow among units.
Delegates assignments not requiring the President's direct involvement and tracks progress to ensure timely completion.
As supervisor of the Strategic Initiatives Office, provides strategic guidance and oversight on how to advance and operationalize strategic planning and strategic initiatives on behalf of the President and Provost
In partnership with the University Policy and Rules Office and Chief of Staff to the Provost, coordinates, manages and oversees university-wide policy development and implementation.
In partnership with the Chief of Staff to the Provost, coordinates and participates in senior leadership meetings and retreats, including the preparation of agendas and materials.
Board Relations, Stakeholder Engagement, and Issues Management Serves as a liaison for the President and the Board of Regents.
In close partnership with the Secretary of the Board of Regents, assists in planning and managing Board of Regents meetings, cultivating a positive relationship with the Board, and managing escalation of issues and decisions to ensure effective university governance.
Serves as the presidential liaison to internal and external stakeholders, when requested to do so, including faculty, staff, students, and community leaders.
Supports positive relationship-building and effective engagement between the President, the university, and its communities.
Partners closely with the Office of External Affairs and Advancement in interactions with government agencies, donors, and strategic external partners.
Represents the President in meetings and events as needed.
Supports the President in identifying and managing sensitive and high-impact issues impacting the university.
Supports coordination, tracking, and resolution of issues management, including risk assessment for urgent or major institutional decisions.
Participates in crisis response and communication strategies in collaboration with relevant departments.
Executive Office Operations Support In partnership with the Chief of Staff to the Provost and Senior Director for Finance and Administration, manage and monitor the daily operations of the Executive Office to ensure positive staff support, operational efficiency, and leadership alignment.
Collaborate to support effective communication, issue management, resource allocation, and decision-making between the President and Provost.
In partnership with the President's Executive Assistant, Scheduler, and Events Specialist, assist with effective calendaring, executive communications, briefings, and meeting preparation.
Provide support for campus constituent inquiries or concerns within the purview of the Office of the President.
In partnership with the senior leadership team, ensure timely and effective follow-up on presidential directives and commitments.
Supervision and Leadership Decision Support Provide direct supervision and management to the University Policy and Rules Office, the Strategic Initiatives Office, and the University Ombuds.
Provide direct supervision and management to UW Environmental Health and Safety, the administrative unit that assists University units in meeting their responsibility to protect the environment and to provide a safe and healthful place for employment and learning
Provide direction, management, and decision support to key partner offices including the Board of Regents, Internal Audit, and the Attorney General's Office