Chief of Staff

Chief of Staff

The Ohio State University

Columbus, OH

 

About the Role

The Office of Academic Affairs (OAA), led by Executive Vice President and Provost Melissa L. Gilliam, has responsibility for the administration and coordination of all academic areas of the university. The Office of Academic Affairs spans the entire university and advances initiatives that drive excellence in the academic mission and support faculty success.

The Chief of Staff (COS) assists with designated strategic priorities by exploring, identifying and evaluating information and data to provide recommendations and support on a range of identified tasks; oversees the OAA communication team and advises the Executive Vice President and Provost on overall communications strategy; prepares and/or leads the development of reports, briefings, presentations, and responses on strategic issues; develops and implements systems to organize, communicate, and manage key priorities and projects and identify operations issues and solutions; serves as central administrative contact and liaison, providing strategic calendar management; handles complex situations and multiple responsibilities simultaneously, mixing longer term projects with the urgency of immediate demands; assesses inquiries and concerns directed to the Executive Vice President and Provost’s office, determining course of action in alignment with OAA’s initiatives and objectives; leverages project management best practices to lead and work effectively with others to ensure timely and accurate project deliverables, monitor project progress and proactively plan for and address potential challenges; oversees, coordinates execution, and leads implementation and change management efforts of strategic initiatives, partnering with appropriate leaders and staff to achieve goals; in consultation with the Executive Vice President and Provost, the COS initiates and fosters important professional relationships and will maintain a strong collaborative relationship with the executive leadership of OAA and various members of the Office of the President.
 

Summary of Duties

• 50 %    Provides leadership and direction by managing key strategic projects and initiatives; oversees communications function for OAA and ensures consistent messaging and strategic approach; works closely with University Communications and University Marketing on effective and collaborative strategic communications; oversees activities and communication between OAA and constituencies with which the office interacts; oversees daily operations focused on advancing goals and objectives; implements systems to organize, communicate, and manage key priorities and projects; provides analysis and strategic consultation on major issues facing OAA and/or the university; ensures that issues, concerns, and questions brought to OAA are addressed in a timely, accurate and efficient manner.  

 

• 30%     Serves as a strategic partner working with the Office of Academic Units, college deans, senior leaders, and other university officials; facilitates two-way communication; collaborates to solve complex problems and keeps OAA informed of any relevant issues; oversees and mentors functional teams to prioritize and execute on key tactics to include operational efficiency outcomes; ensures development of strategic meeting materials for executive level meetings to include Council of Deans, President's Cabinet, and the Board of Trustees.

• 20%     Coordinates operation of OAA staff to ensure efficient and effective office; provides oversight to communication team; provides constructive feedback and timely information; evaluates organizational structures and makes recommendations for enhanced effectiveness and continuous improvement; develops and manages the Executive Vice President and Provost’s scorecard ensuring quantifiable metrics that drive the university's academic and business functions forward.

Education and Experience Requirements 

Master's Degree in Business, Higher Education, or another relevant field. Minimum 8 years of executive level experience in Higher Education. Exceptional interpersonal and managerial skills. Ability to address complex problems with creativity and innovation. Ability to interact and influence at the most senior levels of the organization. Ability to work collaboratively and strategically across functions, levels, and departments. Strong written and oral communication skills with the proven ability to problem-solve and effectively operate in a senior administrative role. Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to interact with diverse internal and external constituents. Progressively responsible experience in higher education administration. Knowledge of university policies and procedures, rules, and regulations as well as financial analysis and forecasting. Well-versed in design thinking and other innovation strategies. Budget experience is preferred.

 

Closing Statement 
The Ohio State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

The target hiring range for this position is: $165,000-$208,000.

Cover letter and resume are required.

Position will be posted through September 12, 2021.

 

Additional Information:

The Ohio State University

Founded in 1870 as the land-grant and state flagship university, and subsequently receiving designations as a sea- and space-grant university, The Ohio State University is one of the world’s finest institutions of higher education. A member of the distinguished Association of American Universities, it is consistently recognized among the most innovative and far-reaching universities in the world. It is an engine of innovation and discovery with annual research expenditures of approximately $968 million. The central campus is located in the state capital of Columbus with regional campuses in Lima, Mansfield, Marion, Newark, and ATI in Wooster that extend its reach and provide access to students throughout the state. The Ohio State University boasts 570,000 living alumni, and its endowment stands at nearly $5.3 billion.

 

The university is home to approximately 68,000 students and 45,000 faculty and staff. With 15 academic colleges, a nationally renowned academic medical center, and hundreds of undergraduate and graduate programs as well as dozens of centers and institutes, the university has an astonishing intellectual range. It is an institution with enormous ambition and potential to achieve even greater heights. The 2017 strategic plan, Time and Change, moved the university forward on many dimensions and established Ohio State as a national leader in programs to support affordability and access for students. Today, the university is poised to embark on a new plan that will lay out its next phase of growth and innovation.

Students at Ohio State are exposed to a vast array of ideas, experiences, and cultures. Inclusive excellence is a central tenet of the institution. While historic highs in applications, academic excellence, diversity of students, first-year retention rates, and graduation rates demonstrate that the university’s momentum has never been greater, the university is committed to making investments and innovations to ensure more success in recruitment, retention, and a truly inclusive campus culture. In 2018, the university launched the Digital Flagship, a comprehensive university-wide digital learning initiative, representing a ground-breaking approach to utilizing technology to support and enhance educational access and opportunity for students. These efforts prepared the university to respond quickly and thoughtfully to the changes brought on by the pandemic.
 

The university’s location is a major asset. With a metropolitan area population of approximately two million, Columbus encompasses a diverse community across many dimensions including race, ethnicity, culture, political affiliation, and socioeconomic status. It has an immigrant population that is over twice the state's average. It is home to an array of corporate headquarters across many sectors of the economy. The university enjoys a close collaboration with the business community through the innovative Columbus Partnership, which furthers the economic and social well-being of the region. Ohio State is the primary research partner for Smart Columbus, an initiative born out of the city’s winning application in the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Smart City Challenge.

 

More information about The Ohio State University can be found at https://osujoblinks.com/abl7

 

The Ohio State University is an equal opportunity employer.

 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDS status, military status, national origin, race, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy, protected veteran status, or any other bases under the law.

 

Applicants are encouraged to complete and submit the Equal Employment Identification form.