NDSU Chief of Staff

North Dakota State University - Fargo, ND

Full-time - Senior

Fargo, ND

Educational Services

About the position

The Chief of Staff at North Dakota State University (NDSU) plays a pivotal role in supporting the President by providing broad strategic advice and ensuring the timely completion of institutional initiatives. This position requires a strong focus on strategic policy work and relationship development with a diverse range of constituents, necessitating excellent negotiation skills to support university priorities. The Chief of Staff will engage in various advisory, strategic, communication, and administrative duties that are essential for the effective functioning of the President's Office. In the advisory capacity, the Chief of Staff will review, research, and summarize a variety of information and data, preparing related reports and summaries for the President. This role involves providing expert advice on a wide range of university matters and offering campus leadership on policy issues, goals, and the university's mission. The Chief of Staff will also participate in institutional planning and policy development alongside the President and other senior officers, helping to formulate and implement NDSU's strategic plans in alignment with the State Board of Higher Education (SBHE) goals. Strategically, the Chief of Staff will work on formulating and implementing strategies for key external stakeholders, including donors, alumni, and business leaders, as well as federal and state legislative goals. This includes collaboration with federal and state legislators, their staff, and the Governor's office to achieve these goals. In terms of communication, the Chief of Staff will collaborate with the University Relations Office to draft and edit major campus-wide messaging originating from the President's Office, ensuring that institutional messaging and media strategies are well-coordinated. On the administrative side, the Chief of Staff will monitor assignments delegated to staff, ensuring timely completion to meet deadlines, and will assist the President on special projects. This role requires collaboration with various stakeholders, including SBHE, North Dakota University System (NDUS) personnel, and other campuses within the NDUS. The Chief of Staff will also serve on the Cabinet, playing a key role in NDSU's Emergency Operations Plan, and will exercise a high degree of autonomy while aligning with Presidential objectives. Discretion and responsibility are paramount in this role, as is the ability to perform other duties as assigned.

Responsibilities

• Review, research, and summarize a variety of information/data and prepare related reports and summaries.
• Provide expert advice to the President on a breadth of university matters.
• Provide campus leadership and advice on policy issues, goals, and mission.
• Participate with the President and other senior officers on institutional planning, policy development, and problem resolution.
• Help formulate and implement NDSU's strategic plans consistent with SBHE goals and expectations.
• Help formulate and implement strategies for key external stakeholders, including donors, alumni, and business leaders.
• Help formulate and implement federal and state legislative goals and strategy.
• Work with federal and state legislators, staff, and the Governor's office to achieve goals.
• Work with the University Relations Office to conceptualize, draft, and edit major campus-wide messaging originating from the President's Office.
• Coordinate institutional messaging and media strategies with University Relations.
• Monitor assignments delegated to staff and facilitate timely completion to meet deadlines.
• Conduct and/or assist the President on special projects.
• Work collaboratively with SBHE, NDUS personnel, and other campuses within the NDUS.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to identify and resolve important issues.
• Serve on the Cabinet, including a key role in NDSU's Emergency Operations Plan.
• Exercise a high degree of autonomy while being aligned with Presidential objectives.
• Exercise a high degree of discretion and responsibility.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
• Five years of professional, senior level experience in a large, complex organization or corporate headquarters.
• Ability to exercise a high degree of autonomy while being aligned with Presidential objectives.
• Ability to exercise a high degree of discretion and confidentiality.
• Ability to drive key projects and initiatives with significant impact across the organization.
• Strong strategic and analytical skills and attention to detail.
• High degree of integrity and a strong ability to work with a wide range of individuals in a diverse community.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with a strong ability to influence people and decisions.
• Ability to set and manage timelines and priorities.
• Excel in working across multiple departments/divisions.
• Strong problem-solving and conflict resolution skills, including the ability to manage complex assignments and/or those that require balancing interests that may be at variance with each other.
• Ability to interpret and communicate policies and procedures and prepare important correspondence and other documents.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience providing senior executive level strategic support within an institution of higher education, state government, and/or industry.
• Previous Chief of Staff, Chief Administrative Officer, or similar level experience, particularly in the legislative domain.

Benefits

• Single or family health insurance coverage with premiums paid for by the university.
• Wellness benefits.
• Basic life insurance.
• Retirement plan.
• Tuition waiver.
• Annual leave.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Sick leave.
• Holiday pay.
• Optional benefits include supplemental life, dental, vision, long-term care insurance, flexible spending account, and supplemental retirement plans.