THE OPPORTUNITY

The College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (A&S) seeks a talented and energetic Chief of Staff who will work closely with a newly appointed dean, Christa Acampora, and the senior leadership team to enhance the focus on strategic goals and manage their time most effectively. This will include direct collaboration with the dean and other leaders in Arts & Sciences on the development of a new strategic framework for the School.

Reporting directly to the Dean, the Chief of Staff will ensure appropriate follow-up and tracking for items of Dean's Office business and assist the senior leadership team with executing a wide range of projects consistent with the Dean's priorities. This will include high-level support to the Dean, and, by extension, her leadership team; and responding and acting on behalf of the Dean using tact and diplomacy in matters of a highly sensitive and confidential nature. The College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences is a large, complex organization with multiple and diverse constituencies. The Chief of Staff will work regularly with Arts & Sciences senior leadership team, department chairs, program directors, department managers, HR business partners, staff, undergraduate and graduate students, staff, alumni, parents, College Foundation, senior university officials, community members, etc.

THE ROLE

Strong candidates will have experience with organizational development and an exceptional ability to collaborate, communicate, and produce results while working both within and across these different communities. The Chief of Staff will manage and supervise administrative staff members while providing direct administrative support for members of the senior leadership team.

Specific responsibilities include the following:

Leadership

• Integrity and commitments to diversity, equity, inclusion, and authentic belonging are core values of the Office of the Dean. These should guide actions small and large and should be evident in our decision-making. The Chief of Staff provides leadership that supports the expression and experience of these values across multiple constituencies.
• Serve as a thought partner to the Dean.
• Respond and manage issues as they emerge, identifying those that require immediate attention of the Dean. When urgent issues arise, contact the appropriate stakeholders for background or guidance to inform the Dean's response and adjust the Dean's schedule as needed.
• Facilitate the Dean's decision-making process by structuring undefined issues for resolution, forecasting, and researching issues, summarizing relevant information, and working with stakeholders to provide the Dean with information necessary to make sound decisions.
• Develop strategic protocols to ensure that all members of Arts & Sciences, as well as university constituents, are engaged and informed appropriately.
• Work in close concert with other university leaders and chiefs of staff in senior leadership to ensure coordination and alignment of university strategic priorities.
• Represent the Dean on selected internal and University committees and initiatives. Participate in formulating and communicating the Dean's position and priorities.
• Support the larger leadership structures of the College to support engaged and broadly distributed decision-making and governance.
• As assigned, work with the Dean and other leaders within the Arts & Sciences community on special projects and issues of strategic importance to the school and advance the Dean's priorities.

Communications

• Ensure that the persons engaging with the Office of the Dean receive timely and appropriate responses to queries, invitations, and other requests for action. Develop communication protocols and processes to streamline the Dean's communications.
• Ensure that the Dean is fully briefed and prepared for effective and productive meetings. When relevant, identify appropriate objectives for meetings and clear action items. This preparatory work will often require working with meeting participants and others in advance, producing agendas and/or briefing materials for the Dean, and monitoring progress on subsequent action items.
• Coordinate with the Chief Communications Officer on writing projects, including speeches, talking points, award nominations, and reports. This will include an understanding of the Dean's communication style and rhetorical 'voice,' to accurately reflect it in communications produced on the Dean's behalf.
• Coordinate with other members of the senior leadership team to ensure there is consistent messaging to all constituents.
• Provide guidance and stewardship on requests to the Dean, whether from internal or external sources.

Operations & Administration

• Work with the Executive Administrator to the Dean to ensure the prioritization of activities, scheduling, and briefing for the Dean, and streamline workflow and communications, and processes for the Office of the Dean.
• Develop and manage the content and logistics of key activities and initiatives. This includes agenda development; initiative and decision tracking; efficient/productive meeting logistics; and ensuring follow-up on action items and hand-offs or delegation as needed.
• Assist the Dean in determining and managing top priorities to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of the Dean's work. Ensure the accurate and timely flow of information to and from the Dean's Office. Meet regularly with the Dean to establish the key priorities for the week, semester, and year to set the calendar of events.

Ideal Experiences

The ideal Chief of Staff candidate will have at least 5 years of administrative and supervisory experience organizing, and operating in a large, complex organization. The Chief of Staff will ideally have direct related administrative management experience in a university or corporate environment. Because strategic and trusted communication is a critical component of the role, exceptional interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills are required. The Chief of Staff must possess excellent planning and organizational skills and a demonstrated acumen with using different technology platforms and practices.

Additional qualifications include the following:

• Strong analytical and project management skills
• Ability to work with diverse constituencies
• Strong conflict resolution skills
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and handle multiple projects of varying complexity simultaneously, with attention to detail and a high level of professionalism
• Flexibility and tolerance for ambiguity
• Ability to lead and manage effectively in a consensus-driven environment
• Adaptability to shifting priorities through leadership transitions, and alignment with the Dean's values of service; gratitude; inclusive excellence; and belonging
• Demonstrated track record and commitment to enabling a welcoming environment for diverse stakeholders
• Willingness to handle both complex and routine matters
• Ability to combine strategic thinking with operational follow-through
• Demonstrated ability to work individually and collaboratively
• A high degree of tact, discretion, and sound judgment
• Experience handling highly confidential and sensitive information
• Ability to work under pressure, while maintaining a high degree of professionalism, and sense of humor
• Bachelor's degree required. Master's degree strongly preferred

To apply or Nominate

The Executive Search Group, an internal executive search firm in the Office of the University of Virginia President, is assisting in the recruitment of the next Chief of Staff, College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences. To apply, please send a letter of interest and resume to UVA Workday Jobs. The search will be carried out with full confidentiality. Confidential inquiries and nominations should be directed to Susan Gaines at sht2n@virginia.edu.

To learn more about this opportunity, please visit https://executivesearch.virginia.edu/searches.

The University of Virginia is fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff. We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person's perspectives and lived experiences. We are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, and family medical or genetic information.

COVID Vaccination Requirement and Guidelines

Please visit the UVA COVID-19 Job Requirements and Guidelines webpage prior to applying for current information regarding vaccination requirements and guidelines for employment at UVA.