Chief of Staff & Executive Director for Legislative and Government Affairs - SUNY Maritime College at SUNY Maritime College

State University of New York

Full-time - Senior

Educational Services

About the position

The Chief of Staff & Executive Director for Legislative and Government Affairs at SUNY Maritime College serves as the principal advisor to the President, playing a crucial role in the administration of the college. This position is responsible for managing a wide range of institutional matters that are of significant importance to the college's operations and strategic direction. The Chief of Staff is expected to work closely with vice presidents, academic deans, and other senior administrators to facilitate effective communication and coordination across various departments. This role is pivotal in ensuring that high-priority projects are managed efficiently and that there is follow-through on critical decisions and tasks. In addition to overseeing the execution of the institutional strategic plan, the Chief of Staff provides guidance and support for the planning, development, and implementation of various initiatives. This includes tracking the progress of these initiatives and identifying relevant metrics to inform the President about the college's strategic goals and overall success. The Chief of Staff also organizes meetings and activities for the College Council, including planning agendas and programs, and communicating with Council members as directed by the President. The role requires representing the President in various capacities, including outreach to elected officials and organizations that share aligned interests. The Chief of Staff ensures the seamless functioning of the Office of the President and collaborates with the Executive Assistant and Director of Communications to prepare the President for key events and meetings. Additionally, this position oversees the Safety Management System aboard the training ship, conducting annual safety audits and ensuring compliance with the SUNY Maritime College Health, Safety, and Environmental Protection Policy. The Chief of Staff is responsible for maintaining the documented ISM Code Safety Management System, including the review, modification, and implementation of procedures and policies, as well as scheduling and reviewing audits of both the vessel and shoreside management team.

Responsibilities

• Work with vice presidents, academic deans, and other senior administrators to facilitate cross-departmental communication and coordination.
• Ensure that high-priority projects are effectively and efficiently managed.
• Ensure follow-through on critical decisions and tasks.
• Coordinate the institutional strategic plan execution through the planning budgeting, assessment process, and committee.
• Provide guidance and support for the planning, development, and implementation of various initiatives; oversee and track initiatives to ensure progress in meeting these initiatives.
• Identify, implement, and track relevant metrics to inform and advise the President on progress towards strategic initiatives and overall success of the College.
• Organize meetings and activities for the College Council, including planning meetings, formulating agendas and programs, and communicating with individual Council members as directed by the President.
• Coordinate and/or assist with other special initiatives as determined by the President.
• Represent the President, as appropriate, with faculty and staff, students, alumni, and external constituencies.
• Ensure the seamless functioning of the Office of the President.
• Work with the Executive Assistant and Director of Communications to ensure the President is aware of and prepared for key events and meetings.
• Serve as the Designation Person Ashore overseeing the Safety Management System and conducting annual safety audits.
• Verify and monitor the implementation of the SUNY Maritime College Health, Safety and Environmental Protection Policy aboard the vessel.
• Maintain the documented ISM Code Safety Management System (SMS) for the training ship, including the review, modification, and implementation of procedures and policies in the SMS; schedule and review audits of the vessel and shoreside management team.

Requirements

• Master's degree from an accredited college or university.
• At least 10 years of leadership experience in varying positions of increased scope and responsibilities.
• Demonstrated experience in requirements development, financial management, budget formulation and oversight.
• Proven leadership experience, including supervisory roles, team management, mentoring, and crisis management.

Nice-to-haves

• Senior Leadership experience (0-6) in the U. S. Navy, U. S. Coast Guard, or Merchant Marine (Chief Engineer or Master) or equivalent experience in the maritime industry or education.
• Knowledge of safety management systems, higher education policies and regulations.