OED Chief of Staff

University of Minnesota

Full-time - Mid Level

Educational Services

About the position

The OED Chief of Staff is a critical member of the Vice President for Equity and Diversity's team who works collaboratively to drive, facilitate and support the University of Minnesota system's strategic projects, directives, and initiatives. This position provides strategic advice and counsel, possesses a high level of integrity, and demonstrates discretion in sensitive and confidential matters. Reporting directly to the Vice President, the Chief of Staff works in partnership with other unit senior leaders to advance the priorities of the Office for Equity and Diversity (OED) and the mission of the University of Minnesota. The Chief of Staff's workload will be supported by an administrative team within the Office for Equity and Diversity. This is a 100%, 12-months annually renewable appointment in the academic administrative personnel series (job code 9341D1, Administrative Director 1). The role encompasses two primary responsibilities: serving as a strategic advisor and counsel to the Vice President, and providing administrative and operations leadership. As a strategic advisor, the Chief of Staff assists the Vice President in coordinating the agenda and ensuring that systemwide Diversity, Inclusion, Justice, and Equity (DIJE) directives and initiatives are effectively carried out. This includes overseeing the design and implementation of OED's strategic priorities, ensuring alignment with the University’s strategic plans, and monitoring the progress of initiatives. In terms of administrative and operations leadership, the Chief of Staff serves as a liaison with OED senior leaders, faculty, staff, students, and various internal and external constituencies. This role involves advising the Vice President on high-level administrative issues, participating in committees, drafting important documents, and leading consultative processes on complex DEI-related policy issues. The Chief of Staff is expected to build and nurture relationships across the university to resolve complex issues and advance strategic priorities, while also assuming additional responsibilities as assigned by the Vice President and Deputy to the Vice President.

Responsibilities

• Assist and serve the Vice President in support of the full complement of responsibilities and commitments for the Office for Equity and Diversity, including coordination of the Vice President's agenda.
• Represent the VP to multiple internal and external constituencies and serve as a liaison for various areas.
• Oversee the design and implementation of the OED's strategic priorities, mission, and vision, ensuring alignment with the University of Minnesota's strategic plans.
• Ensure effective communication, integration, execution, and measurement of all vice presidential directives and OED initiatives and goals.
• Assist in ensuring that the OEDVP's meetings are effective with realistic objectives and appropriate preparation, monitoring progress and achievement of next steps after meetings.
• Serve as a liaison with OED senior leaders, faculty, staff, students, and diverse internal and external constituencies.
• Advise the Vice President on high-level administrative issues, including policy development and resource utilization.
• Participate on various internal and external committees on the vice president's behalf.
• Directly support the Vice President by drafting briefing memos, charge letters, and policy documents, and arranging events to further the Vice President's agenda.
• Lead the consultative process on complex DEI-related policy issues and initiatives.
• Build and nurture relationships to serve as a resource for university administrators, faculty, staff, and students to resolve complex issues.

Requirements

• BA/BS and at least 12 years of experience.
• Substantial experience in responsible administrative positions demonstrating excellent organizational and managerial abilities and effective leadership.
• Strong commitment to collaboration, consultation, and shared governance.
• Extensive experience working in a complex, decentralized higher education environment.
• Exceptional interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
• Ability to balance competing demands, priorities, and needs of multiple stakeholders.
• Ability to work collaboratively with multiple, diverse constituencies.
• Ability to work well both independently and as part of a team.
• Effective in developing strong relationships and effective partnerships.
• Demonstrates exceptional judgment, discretion, confidentiality, integrity, and flexibility.

Nice-to-haves

• Advanced or terminal degree.
• Strong and extensive track record of promoting and advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Experience with strategic planning and knowledge of strategic management concepts, business practices, and principles, as well as change management.
• Experience in an advisory role reporting to a senior leader.

Benefits

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off.
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program.
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans.
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts.
• University HSA contributions.
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance.
• Employee wellbeing program.
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity.
• Financial counseling services.
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost.
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area.