Senior Director of Administration and Chief of Staff

The Pennsylvania State University • University Park, FL

11d

About The Position

Penn State University Park is seeking a highly experienced student affairs leader and skilled administrator to serve as the Senior Director of Administration and Chief of Staff to the Vice President for Student Affairs. Reporting to the Vice President for Student Affairs, the Chief of Staff is a member of the Student Affairs senior leadership team for a division of over 30 administrative units of over 500 full-time and approximately 1,000 part-time staff. In addition, Student Affairs at University Park provides support for the student affairs operations at 20 Commonwealth campuses. This senior leader will support the division’s strategic initiatives around creating intentional co-curricular learning experiences, preparing students for life, career, and citizenship, assisting students in overcoming barriers to success, advancing access, community, and belonging, enhance campus environments focused on student well-being, and improving operational effectiveness and efficiency. The Chief of Staff will be a collaborative leader who works well with diverse groups of students, faculty, and staff. Knowledgeable about current issues and best practices, this person will have significant student affairs and administrative experience in higher education and an advanced degree. Specifically, the Senior Director and Chief of Staff will provide advice and coordination to the Vice President for Student Affairs and liaison with other senior Student Affairs and campus officials. This position will provide oversight for key units that have broad-reaching impact on Student Affairs overall including Student Affairs Communications and Marketing, Student Affairs Research and Assessment, and the Timothy J. Piazza Center for Fraternity and Sorority Research. The Chief of Staff will also provide leadership, with the Vice President, for Student Affairs budget, Commonwealth Campus Support, Human Resources, and development efforts including engagement with our young-alumni group.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree
• 10+ years of relevant experience, includes 3+ years of supervisory experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted
• Proven success in a management/leadership role
• A high level of cultural competence in working with diverse populations
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Experience in engaging with student and campus leaders
• Strategic planning, budgeting, and financial management experience
• Ability to establish and maintain collaborative and effective working relationships with students, staff, faculty, administration, and community partners
• Experience navigating a complex, matrix environment such as in higher education

Nice To Haves

• A Master’s degree in higher education, student affairs, or related field
• Terminal/professional degree preferred

Responsibilities

• Serve as a senior leader of Student Affairs providing insight, lending support, and collaborating across the division and the University
• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for central student affairs efforts and advise and support the Vice President for Student Affairs including through development efforts, leading the division’s strategic planning process, support annual reporting, and coordinating the staff satisfaction survey data workgroup.
• Support human resources, budget planning and management, and strategic planning within the units of supervision
• Represent the Vice President for Student Affairs on university working groups and committees
• Leading strategic communication support to the Vice President for Student Affairs by providing briefings and initiating official communications that align with divisional priorities and institutional values
• Provide supervision to the directors of Student Affairs Communications and Marketing, Student Affairs Research and Assessment, and Timothy J. Piazza Center for Fraternity and Sorority Research. There is a possibility that additional units may report to this position
• Lead strategic initiatives for the division
• Serve as the administrative liaison to the Student Affairs Staff Advisory Council
• Serve as the Student Affairs liaison to Central IT
• Work closely with student governments, the related student advisory boards, and other student leaders
• Other duties as assigned

Benefits

• Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being.
• In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time.
• One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director