Assistant Vice President and Chief of Staff

Details

Posted: 10-May-23

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Type: Full-time

Salary: Open

Categories:

Administrative/Support
Staff/Administrative

Internal Number: JR21979

Location: Chicago, IL

Job Description:

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Vice President of ARD, the Assistant Vice President and Chief of Staff (AVP-COS) serves as the chief interlocutor across ARD, leads and manages the Office of the Vice President, and manages complex initiatives, projects, and activities that advance annual and multi-year objectives. As a member of the Vice Presidentâ™s senior leadership team, the AVP-COS serves as trusted counsel to the VP and to broad leadership teams across ARD and works closely with campus partners to forge mutually beneficial relationships. The AVP-COS serves as ARDâ™s main point of contact with the Office of the President, Chief of Staff, and Provost on matters that advance University-wide alumni relations and development objectives. In this capacity, the AVP-COS oversees the Vice Presidentâ™s analytical and strategic project management functions and provides strategic counsel on confidential, sensitive, and operational matters. Foundational to the success of this role is the AVO-COSâ™s collaboration with the Universityâ™s leadership including Deans and Officers and members of the Board of Trustees and Councils.

This position has a hybrid work schedule which includes weekly in office presence located in Hyde Park at 5235 South Harper Court.

Responsibilities:

• Oversees strategic and operational initiatives on behalf of the Vice President and in close partnership with members of the ARD senior leadership team, and with Deans, Officers, and University-wide leaders. Specifically, oversees the development of plans that promote both University-wide priorities and unit and division goals, objectives, and priorities.

• Works closely with ARD leaders to advance prospect and gift development strategy, particularly related to Presidential and Vice-Presidential donor engagement, solicitation, and stewardship.

• Provides leadership and coordination across ARD, navigating challenges and complexities and providing creative solutions. Facilitates communication across the University and serves as a resource and point of contact.

• Provides strategic support and input to the Vice President, including in support of campaign planning and management. Plays a key role in the ongoing development and execution of campaign strategy, working with the Vice President, ARD senior leadership team, Trustee leaders, and deans and officers.

• Designs and manages a leadership engagement team to broadly support and facilitate communication between the Vice Presidentâ™s office and the President and Provost.

• Establishes a correspondence and communication framework for the Vice Presidentâ™s external engagement with the Board of Trustees and other critical University and volunteer leadership communities.

• Creates high quality messages and correspondence that are decisive and professional, and which may include subject matter of considerable sensitivity or discretion requiring judgment and negotiation. Writes, edits, and contributes strategy to a wide variety of documents and materials, including proposals, internal and external communications, briefings, and presentations.

• Develops agendas and leads leadership and management team meetings; establishes mechanisms to measure and monitor organizational progress and goal achievement; analyzes data and ensures follow-through on the part of key stakeholders; and sustains momentum needed to drive initiatives forward to completion.

• Supports and staffs the Vice President broadly and in a collaborative manner, setting tone and direction and acting as a liaison for the Vice President, as designated.

• Accompanies or represents the Vice President at a variety of meetings. Interacts with offices across the University and with offices of high-profile external constituents. Operates with the highest level of resourcefulness, acumen, and confidentiality.

• Manages and executes special projects on behalf of the Vice President in priority areas as asked, contributing strategy, critical thinking, and analysis.

• Develops and maintains a broad understanding of ARD, the University, and fundraising priorities to represent the University to a variety of stakeholders, especially donors with multiple interests. Has a deep appreciation for UChicagoâ™s mission and its contributions to society.

• Helps create a culture where effective teamwork, collaboration, and innovation are expected, recognized, and rewarded; leads by example regarding appropriate risk-taking, cross-organizational cooperation, and clear standards of conduct.

• Facilitates interdepartmental cooperation to maximize productivity. Provides policy advice and decision-making strategies for ARD. Analyzes organizational issues, identifies ARD-wide impacts, and makes sound recommendations.

• Uses individualized conversations to coach and counsel employees in their job performance and support their professional development. Ensures expectations are clear, well communicated, and relate to the goals of ARD. Ensures direct reports receive frequent, constructive feedback.

• Leads and inspires staff to meet and exceed expectations.

• Performs other functions as needed.

Competencies:

• Outstanding organizational skills exhibiting insight, innovation, transparency, persuasiveness, and commitment to mission.

• The capacity to foster partnership and collaboration, and to lead and improve an exceptional organization.

• Proven ability to work with and inspire confidence and trust from senior leaders, faculty, and staff, and to manage confidential information with discretion and tact.

• Proven ability to identify stakeholders and build strong, collaborative relationships with them across departments and units within a large, multi-faceted organization.

• A collegial management style and the ability to motivate, energize, and focus leaders and staff.

• A sense of urgency and commitment to priorities, with proven ability to adapt to innovative programs and priorities in an emerging and changing environment.

• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills characterized by the ability to listen, speak, and write effectively.

• Proven ability to build, lead, mentor, and motivate a diverse team, and to encourage change and growth in both people and programs. A strong commitment to personal and professional development, and the ability to foster a collaborative and inclusive team environment.

• Proficiency in communicating effectively and with influence.

• A strong work ethic and drive to succeed.

Education, Experience, or Certifications:

Education:

• Bachelorâ™s degree required.

• Advanced degree preferred.

Experience:

• Minimum ten years of professional work experience in nonprofit management, development, alumni relations, marketing, public relations, sales, or similar professional work experience required.

• Minimum five years of fundraising experience, preferably at the high-end major and/or principal gift level required.

• Minimum five years of experience working closely and collaboratively with faculty, deans, senior leadership, trustees, and board members required.

• Minimum five years of successfully managing, coaching, and motivating staff required.

• Minimum three years of experience developing, and monitoring budgets required.

• Experience collaborating with volunteers required.

• Strong leadership qualities, including the ability both to delegate and to execute, thereby leading by word and example required.

• Flexibility to adapt in an emerging and changing environment required.

Technical Knowledge or Skills:

• Demonstrated skill and knowledge of, or ability to learn quickly, the internal workings of the University as well as the technology tools available to the Office of Alumni Relations and Development including Phoenix, the University's donor relationship management system, and the Microsoft Windows environment.

Working Conditions:

• This position has a hybrid work schedule which includes weekly in office presence.

• Standard office environment.

• Travel to campus and/or non-campus locations for University business.

• Work evenings and weekends as needed.

• This position is located in Hyde Park at 5235 South Harper Court.

Required Documents:

• Resume/CV

• Cover Letter

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via the Applicant Inquiry Form.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.

Create a Job Alert for Similar Jobs
About University of Chicago (UC)
One of the world's premier academic and research institutions, the University of Chicago has driven new ways of thinking since our 1890 founding. Today, UChicago is an intellectual destination that draws inspired scholars to our Hyde Park and international campuses, keeping UChicago at the nexus of ideas that challenge and change the world.
Connections working at University of Chicago (UC)
More Jobs from This Employer
https://main.hercjobs.org/jobs/18563002/assistant-vice-president-and-chief-of-staff
Return to Search Results