Chief of Staff for Student Life

$185,000 - $210,000/Yr

Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Cambridge, MA

Full-time

Cambridge, MA

Educational Services

About the position

The Chief of Staff for Student Life will play a pivotal role in supporting the Vice Chancellor (VC) of Student Life at MIT. This position is designed to provide high-level support and advice to the VC while working closely with the senior leadership team to develop and reinforce organizational rhythms that drive the division's success in programming and services. The Chief of Staff will serve as an advisor in executive-level decision-making, facilitate divisional priorities, promote a positive culture for both students and staff, and act as a conduit for information flow within the division and to external stakeholders. In this role, the Chief of Staff will assist the VC in outreach to key stakeholders, including institutional colleagues, faculty, staff, students, parents, alumni, and community members. The position will also involve undertaking special projects that align with the strategic priorities of the VC. Key responsibilities include overseeing office operations, managing executive-level correspondence and reports, ensuring effective stewardship, and facilitating division-wide communication. The Chief of Staff will also be responsible for project management, policy development, and committee leadership, as well as coordinating the preparation, agendas, and logistics for meetings, committees, and events. The Chief of Staff will be instrumental in advancing the VC's strategic priorities and ensuring that the division operates smoothly and effectively. This role requires a proactive individual who can navigate a complex and fast-paced educational environment while building strong relationships with diverse constituencies. A full description of the position is available on the MIT Student Life website.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-level support and advice to the Vice Chancellor (VC) of Student Life.
• Work closely with the senior leadership team to develop and reinforce organizational rhythms.
• Serve as an advisor in executive-level decision-making.
• Facilitate divisional priorities and promote a positive culture for students and staff.
• Act as a conduit for information flow within the division and to external stakeholders.
• Assist the VC in outreach to key stakeholders, including institutional colleagues, faculty, staff, students, parents, alumni, and community members.
• Undertake special projects that align with the VC's strategic priorities.
• Oversee office operations and manage executive-level correspondence and reports.
• Ensure effective stewardship and division-wide communication.
• Manage project management, policy development, and committee leadership.
• Coordinate preparation, agendas, and logistics for meetings, committees, and events.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required.
• At least six years' experience in higher education, communications, project management, or a related area.
• Excellent organizational, communication, collaboration, writing, editing, and project management skills.
• Track record of collaboration in achieving objectives.
• Political acumen and ability to gauge how and when to engage different constituencies.
• Initiative, discretion, and good judgment with complex confidential/sensitive information.
• Ability to influence others and make complex information comprehensible for a wide range of readers.
• Ability to write in many styles depending on audience, content, and platform.
• Ability to strategize, raise issues, facilitate decisions, and lead in a complex educational environment.
• Ability to build strong relationships with members of diverse constituencies.

Nice-to-haves

• Master's degree preferred.

Benefits

• Salary range: $185,000 - $210,000 depending on relevant experience and education.
• Employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background check.