Chief of Staff - Brown School

Position Summary
The Chief of Staff (COS) is critical towards the strategic, operational, and external success of the school. As a member of the senior management team for the Brown School, the Chief of Staff serves as the principal deputy and lead spokesperson to the Dean with responsibilities for overseeing the planning, operations, and management of the Dean’s Office. The Chief of Staff will serve as a subject matter expert in social work, public health, and/or public policy and is a senior advisor to the Dean. The COS is authorized to make decisions on behalf of the Dean on matters including personnel, finances, and communications of the Dean’s office. As a member of the Dean’s cabinet, the COS will collaborate with the Associate Dean for Strategy and Special Projects to support the implementation of the Brown School’s new strategic plan, Driving Equity 2030, represents the Dean in University, School, and external meetings; collaborates with Assistant and Associate Deans to implement the Dean’s directives and vision; manages the Dean’s office staff; and promotes collaboration and communication across the administrative and academic units of the School, as well as among internal and external stakeholders.

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Serves as the primary liaison and spokesperson for the Dean to all internal and external stakeholders, working closely with the Communications Department and Associate Dean for External Affairs. Serves as strategic advisor to the Dean in order to develop/establish priorities particularly based on the school’s strategic plan. Implements the Dean’s directives and ensures communication strategy is implemented internally.
• Manages administrative staff and operations of the Dean’s office. Responds to requests made of the Dean’s office. Approves and tracks allocation of office resources and expenditures. Implements technology to improve administrative operations. Maintains project management software, data, and evaluation of Dean’s office programs and activities.
• In alignment with the Dean, works with the Associate Dean for Strategy & Special Projects in the implementation of the School’s ten-year strategic plan. Manages the monthly Brown School Leadership Council and the Senior Administrative Leadership meetings to meet goals and objectives on the strategic plan. Responsible for working with the Associate Dean for Strategy & Special Projects to track and measure the outcomes as well as coordinate the communication of the plan.
• Represents Dean in University-wide, School, and external meetings to convey priorities, gather information and communicate perspective on behalf of the Dean. Prioritizes Dean’s activities and meetings. Plans for the logistical, scheduling, personnel, resource, and communications requirements of all activities under the auspice of the Dean’s office, including disaster response and crisis communications in coordination with campus leadership. Coordinates events and visits initiated by Dean’s office.
• Coordinates programs and initiatives that cut across existing administrative units of the School. Partners with senior university staff on special projects.
• Serves as the liaison and staff the National Council, and other leadership groups and task forces that fall under the auspices of the Dean’s office. Directly supports the National Council Chair, Campaign Chair.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications

• Seven years of directly related experience is preferred. MSW, MPH, MBA, MPP, J.D. or other appropriate graduate professional degree.
• Five years’ experience in a university, public service, and/or policy environment with responsibilities for academic administration, board support, faculty management, operations management, external relations, and/or communications.
• Direct experience with academic programs, faculty, university administration, development, and external relations.
• Exceptional writing skills. Ability to quickly and professionally produce analyses and written communications. Substantive knowledge of social work, public health, and public policy.
• Ability to oversee and be accountable for all Dean’s office analyses and communications.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with diverse constituencies of faculty, staff, students, university officers, alumni, donors, national council members, professional advisory committee members, community based organizations, policymakers, professional associations, and media.
• Ability to work independently. Ability to prioritize, make decisions, and implement. Ability to work in a high-paced, rapid turnaround, challenging environment. Ability to process and respond to all traffic, communications, and interactions of the Dean’s office. Ability to bring projects, proposals, reports, presentations to rapid conclusion. High output and outcome orientation. Strong analytic and data skills.
• Impeccable professional judgment and discretion. The Chief of Staff represents the Dean and the School, and needs to be able to solve difficult policy, personnel, strategic, and program problems with minimal oversight and consultation. The Chief of Staff must have the experience, judgment, and skills to make decisions on behalf of the Dean. The Chief of Staff needs to exercise careful diplomacy, know when to involve the Dean, and keep absolute confidentiality.

Applicant Special Instructions

• Cover letter is required.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in higher education, business, accounting or related field.
• Five years of directly related experience in progressively responsible senior level and administrative leadership positions. 
• Previous supervisory experience.

Grade
G15

Salary Range
$82,500.00 - $145,200.00 / Annually

The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

Questions

For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ .

Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email [email protected]  or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

Pre-Employment Screening
All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement

Personal

• Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.

• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.

• Want to Live Near Your Work and/or improve your commute? Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees. We also offer a forgivable home loan of up to $12,500 for closing costs and a down payment for homes in eligible neighborhoods.

• WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.

Wellness

• Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!

Family

• We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. Need adult care? We’ve got you covered.

• WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.

For policies, detailed benefits, and eligibility, please visit: https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/

EEO/AA Statement
Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity and especially encourages applications by those from underrepresented groups. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.

Diversity Statement
Washington University is dedicated to building a diverse community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment – fostering respect for all and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Individuals with a commitment to these values are encouraged to apply.