Chief of Staff for Student Life

$185,000 - $210,000/Yr

Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Cambridge, MA

Full-time - Mid Level

Cambridge, MA

Educational Services

About the position

The Chief of Staff for Student Life at MIT will play a pivotal role in supporting the Vice Chancellor (VC) and collaborating closely with the senior leadership team to enhance the division's programming and services. This position is designed for a highly organized and strategic individual who can facilitate executive-level decision-making and promote a positive culture for both students and staff. The Chief of Staff will act as a key advisor to the VC, ensuring effective communication and outreach to various stakeholders, including institutional colleagues, faculty, staff, students, parents, alumni, and community members. This role will also involve undertaking special projects that align with the VC's strategic priorities. In this capacity, the Chief of Staff will oversee office operations, manage executive-level correspondence and reports, and ensure effective stewardship and communication across the division. Responsibilities will include coordinating the preparation, agendas, and logistics for meetings, committees, and events, as well as leading policy development and committee leadership initiatives. The Chief of Staff will be instrumental in advancing the VC's strategic priorities and ensuring that the division operates smoothly and efficiently. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in higher education, communications, or project management, with a proven track record of collaboration and achieving objectives. The role requires excellent organizational, communication, and project management skills, along with the ability to navigate complex and sensitive information with discretion and good judgment. A deep appreciation for MIT's culture and values is essential, as is the ability to influence others and make complex information accessible to a diverse audience.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-level support and advice to the Vice Chancellor (VC).
• Collaborate with the senior leadership team to develop and reinforce organizational rhythms.
• Serve as an advisor for executive-level decision-making.
• Facilitate divisional priorities and promote a positive culture for students and staff.
• Act as a conduit for information flow to key stakeholders on behalf of the VC.
• Oversee office operations and manage executive-level correspondence and reports.
• Lead stewardship and division-wide communication efforts.
• Manage project management tasks and policy development initiatives.
• Coordinate preparation, agendas, and logistics for meetings, committees, and events.
• Advance the VC's strategic priorities.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required.
• At least six years of experience in higher education, communications, project management, or a related area.
• Excellent organizational, communication, collaboration, writing, editing, and project management skills.
• Proven track record of collaboration in achieving objectives.
• Political acumen and ability to gauge engagement of 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.
• Strong relationship-building skills with diverse constituencies.

Nice-to-haves

• Master's degree preferred.