Chief of Staff

East Central College•Buffalo, NY

9d•Onsite

About The Position

Reporting directly to the President, the Chief of Staff is a 12-month position, reporting to the President of the College and assuming responsibility for a broad range of support for the office, including oversight of all operations of the President’s Office and ensuring effective implementation of initiatives on behalf of the President. The Chief of Staff works collaboratively with the executive leadership team of the College on high-level institutional matters to effectively manage personnel matters, facilities concerns, and fiscal affairs, assists in building community and governmental relations and is chiefly in charge of institutional policy. The Chief of Staff will assist the institution’s Chief Executive Officer in managing the Office of the President and advancing the leadership agenda through coordinated planning with the senior management team, engagement in state and federal governmental relations and through various assignments and special projects. The Chief of Staff is a senior advisor to the President on significant and sensitive issues and plays a critical role in strategic planning, decision-making, and execution of decisions.

Requirements

Comprehensive knowledge of higher education administration, governance, strategic planning, institutional policy, budgeting, organizational operations, and governmental relations.
Demonstrated ability to serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership by exercising sound judgment, political acumen, discretion, and the highest level of integrity when managing confidential and sensitive information.
Exceptional leadership, organizational, and project management skills with the ability to coordinate complex, cross-functional initiatives, balance long-term strategic priorities with urgent operational demands, and ensure timely execution of presidential priorities.
Strong analytical, critical thinking, and decision-making skills with the ability to assess complex issues, develop strategic recommendations, and drive institutional outcomes.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare executive correspondence, speeches, reports, presentations, and policy documents for a variety of audiences.
Outstanding interpersonal, collaboration, and relationship-building skills with the ability to work strategically and cooperatively in a team environment and develop productive working relationships with executive leadership, governing boards, faculty, staff, students, government officials, community partners, and other stakeholders with diverse professional and personal perspectives.
Demonstrated supervisory and administrative management skills, including budgeting, personnel management, operational oversight, performance management, and organizational accountability.
Ability to interpret, develop, implement, and monitor institutional policies, procedures, and strategic initiatives while promoting continuous improvement and effective organizational governance.
Ability to effectively manage multiple complex responsibilities simultaneously, establish priorities, adapt to changing circumstances, and perform successfully in a fast-paced, high-profile executive environment.
Ability to work independently with a high degree of initiative, professionalism, diplomacy, and attention to detail while representing the President and the College with credibility, sound judgment, and exceptional customer service.
Bachelor’s degree required; a minimum of five years of significant experience in higher education or similar experience in progressively more senior level administrative roles with responsibilities for supporting a President or Chief Executive [i.e., in a corporate, institutional, K-12 setting].
Excellent oral communication and writing skills are required.
There must be proven experience building relationships with diverse individuals and groups; professional community networking, managing staff; and creating a welcoming and rewarding work environment.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree from an accredited institution, preferably in Higher Education Administration, Public Administration, Business Administration, Organizational Leadership, or a related field.
Experience in a community college or SUNY institution is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Directs the operational, financial, and administrative affairs of the Office of the President, including development and management of the annual operating budget and Board of Trustees budget allocations.
Serves as a senior advisor to the President, exercising delegated authority to make decisions, resolve issues, and provide counsel on institutional operations, management, policy, and strategic priorities.
Leads, coordinates, and monitors high-priority institutional initiatives, special projects, and presidential priorities, ensuring effective execution, cross-divisional collaboration, accountability, and follow-through on critical decisions.
Serves as the President's liaison to vice presidents, academic deans, faculty, staff, students, governance groups, and external constituencies to facilitate communication, collaboration, and implementation of institutional priorities.
Provides leadership for government relations, legislative initiatives, external relations, community partnerships, and engagement with business, industry, and other stakeholders in support of College initiatives.
In collaboration with the Communications Office, oversees the President's strategic communications, executive messaging, and institutional marketing initiatives; drafts speeches, correspondence, reports, and other executive communications.
Supports the President's work with the SUNY System Administration, Board of Trustees, and other governing bodies by coordinating annual reports, governance materials, policy initiatives, committee support, and other required assignments.
Maintains the President's webpage and related social media posts.
Supervises the Coordinator of Campus Events, oversees the institutional Master Calendar and major campus events, represents the President at College and community functions as appropriate, and coordinates the honorary degree nomination process.
Conducts President's Office staff meetings, supervises and evaluates assigned staff, promotes effective office operations and communication, attends College Senate meetings to remain informed of institutional initiatives and policy matters.
Performs related duties as required across all campus locations.