Secretary of the University Staff (Application Deadline: 10/26/2026, 11:55 PM CDT)

University of Wisconsin Madison • Madison, WI

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Secretary of the University Staff serves in a highly visible and complex role as the principal administrative liaison between University Staff, the University Staff governance bodies, and university leadership. This position is dedicated exclusively to supporting the interests, governance activities, and representation of University Staff, ensuring that University Staff perspectives are effectively communicated and considered within institutional decision-making processes. As the primary point of contact for University Staff governance operations, the Secretary coordinates and supports official University Staff committee, council, and shared governance meetings; prepares and maintains accurate governance records and documentation; and ensures that University Staff governance processes are conducted efficiently, transparently, and in accordance with established policies, bylaws, and procedures. The Secretary of the University Staff serves as a trusted advisor to University Staff leaders, representatives, and governance groups on matters related to governance practices, bylaws, institutional policies, and regulatory requirements affecting University Staff. As the recognized subject matter expert on University Staff governance and procedures, this position helps ensure that governance activities and decision-making processes are properly administered, thoroughly documented, and compliant with applicable laws, regulations, and institutional standards. The role also fosters engagement and participation among University Staff employees, strengthening their voice in shared governance and promoting collaboration between University Staff representatives and university leadership.

Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience supporting executive leadership, boards, committees, shared governance bodies, or similar governing organizations.
• Experience coordinating complex meetings, including agenda development, meeting logistics, minute-taking, and records management.
• Demonstrated knowledge of governance principles, organizational bylaws, policies, and decision-making processes.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to interact effectively with executive leaders, staff, and external stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

• Exceptional organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a complex environment.
• Effective communication skills in stressful situations with University Staff Employees.
• Ability to coordinate multiple shareholder meetings in a day.

Responsibilities

• May exercise supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 FTE or equivalent employees
• Provides strategic guidance and oversees support provided to the representative governance body, executive committee, standing committees, and various ad-hoc committees and working groups; maintains agendas, minutes and other documents for university-wide dissemination and archival purposes
• Serves as a key administrative liaison with the faculty, academic staff or university staff committees; may serve as ex-officio member of appropriate governance bodies, as designated by policy
• Recommends and participates in the development and establishment of university policies and procedures; researches and analyzes policy concepts, complex policy issues, and legal implications of proposed university policies; establishes and chairs policy making committees and may serve on various university planning and policy-making committees
• Directs and schedules logistics and secures resources for operational work plans of governance committees
• Reviews institutional activities and actions that may impact respective constitutes or shared governance and disseminates updates to appropriate entities
• Provides information, advice, and consultation on policy, rules, and participation in the shared governance of the institution
• Serves as the institutional resource and expert for respective constituents and related statutes, rules, procedures, and policies for employees and leadership

Benefits

• generous paid time off
• competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance
• tax-advantaged savings accounts
• participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed