Chief of Staff and Strategy, YCBA

About the position

Reporting to the Paul Mellon Director of the YCBA, this role serves as a key advisor and strategic partner, responsible for executing the Director's vision, managing high-level projects, and overseeing critical functions within the Director's Office. This position ensures effective coordination, communication, and execution of priorities across the Director's Office while facilitating institutional alignment with Yale's broader strategic initiatives. The Chief of Staff and Strategy plays a pivotal role in ensuring that the Director's agenda is implemented efficiently and effectively by managing executive priorities, overseeing strategic initiatives, and optimizing workflow within the Director's team.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a primary advisor to the Director, ensuring strategic initiatives, priorities, and executive projects are effectively executed.
• Supervise an administrative team ensuring smooth daily operations, seamless execution of priorities, and high-functioning administrative support.
• Ensure the Director's Office operates efficiently by managing priorities, coordinating cross-functional efforts, and optimizing internal workflows.
• Conduct research on academic, operational, and policy matters to inform the Director's decision-making and provide data-driven recommendations.
• Ensure the Director's strategic goals are implemented across departments, working closely with the leadership team and external stakeholders.
• Develop executive briefings, agendas, talking points, and strategy documents for the Director, ensuring well-informed and effective leadership engagement.
• Handle sensitive strategic matters, advising the Director on complex institutional challenges with discretion and professionalism.
• Lead and coordinate critical projects within the Director's Office, ensuring they align with museum priorities and strategic goals.
• Identify opportunities to enhance effectiveness within the YCBA, streamline processes, and improve organizational impact.
• Ensure the Director's Office is effectively coordinating across leadership teams and administrative units to execute institutional priorities.
• Support the Director's response to emerging challenges, ensuring preparedness, clear communication, and strategic resolution.
• Serve as the primary point of contact and ambassador for the Director's Office, facilitating high-level engagement across the university.
• Work with the YCBA Communications Team to shape executive messaging, public statements, and institutional reports that reflect the Director's vision.
• Ensure alignment between the Director's Office and leadership teams, facilitating regular strategy meetings and timely follow through on projects and initiatives.
• Represent YCBA and the Director's Office at Yale-wide meetings, ensuring the YCBA's interests are well-positioned in broader university discussions.

Requirements

• Master's degree in a relevant field.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in executive strategy, project management, and leadership support in an academic or complex organizational setting.
• Demonstrated ability to implement and manage high-level institutional initiatives with cross-functional teams.
• Exceptional research, analytical, and problem-solving skills with the ability to synthesize complex information into actionable insights.
• Outstanding communication and executive advisory skills, with experience developing briefings, reports, and presentations for senior leadership.
• Ability to manage confidential and high-stakes matters with professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment.

Nice-to-haves

• Proven experience in a Chief of Staff or similar executive support role within a higher education, art gallery or art institution.
• Demonstrated experience working directly with Directors, provosts, or senior university administrators to implement strategic priorities.